Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson, Minister of Social Affairs and Labour:

Ladies and gentlemen and all those outside of these two categories.

Iceland takes over the presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers next year. I serve as minister for Nordic Co-operation, but also as the minister of Social Affairs and Labour and that makes me responsible for migration, the labour market and adult education.

I am sure you have had fruitful discussions throughout the conference.

Migration is one of the most current human rights issues we deal with in the Nordic countries right now.

We need to create real opportunities, to embrace the diversity that migrants bring at the same time as we allow our democracy, gender equality and culture of peace to grow stronger.

For Iceland’s presidency next year, we focus on four areas: green Norden, competitive Norden, socially sustainable Norden and piece. In the area of migration, we would like to continue some of the emphasis we have had under Norway‘s leadership this year. In particular, we would like to further explore labour participation, focus on gender equality, mental health and loneliness.

Now, allow me to say a few words about each of these topics:

Labour participation can not be limited to low skilled jobs. We have to guarantee real opportunities in all sectors where migrants, just as everyone else, have a fair change to participate, to grow, and to contribute to the future Nordic Societies.

Recognition of Education and skills is a field where we can improve in the Nordic countries. We are missing out on migrant‘s skills by lacking the capacity to validate their education and other skills. Here, I believe, we can learn from one another. For example, the labour participation of immigrants is higher in Iceland than in other countries but the best at skills and education recognition are the Swedish. And so, it goes on.

Iceland has had a leading role when it comes to gender equality and we would like to explore that area further during our chairmanship in the Nordic Council of Ministers. We need to find ways to get migrants on board in our approach to gender equality and we need Nordic men to speak to migrant men about the importance of gender equality.

There has been a rise in awareness regarding mental health and we know that there is no health without mental health. For migrants this is a very important issue, especially for refugees that have been forced to flee and often experiencing the worst atrocities we can imagine before getting out. A welcoming society is the first step in recovering and rebuilding their lives.

With empowering both refugees and migrants in general we create a healthier society of the modern Nordic.

Last, but not least I want to address loneliness. Loneliness is an increasing problem that we are faced with in all of the Nordic countries and I would like to see some emphasis on how we can – together – battle with this modern day problem when people seem to be so close, thanks to modern technology – but at the same time so far distant for one another.

Dear participants,

Treating people with dignity and giving them a change to flourish in our societies is a key to the Nordic State Welfare Model. Active participation of migrants in every aspect of our society is vital to the way of life we have created in the modern Nordic countries.

Finally, I really hope to see you all in Iceland next year. Iceland is really worth visiting!