The anticipation and broad interest in The Democracy Conference 2024 have been very encouraging, says Vice-Dean at the University of Oslo, Mathilde Skoie, and Tore Rem, Director of UiO:Democracy.
Oslo Science City’s work on democracy and inclusion is gaining momentum, highlighted by the launch of Norway's largest academic conference on democracy. Vice-Dean at the University of Oslo, Mathilde Skoie, is stepping into a pivotal role in the innovation district’s effort.
Published: 12. april 2024
Just over a year has passed since the inception of UiO:Democracy, the University of Oslo's multidisciplinary venture dedicated to advancing research, dissemination, education, and external collaboration in the realm of democracy. This initiative also plays a key role within Oslo Science City’s work on democracy and inclusion, where the innovation district serves as a collaborative hub for researchers, the business sector, students, startups, and the public sector.
Professor Tore Rem, Director of UiO:Democracy, reflects on a year filled with accomplishments, including the funding of nine new research projects and the establishment of wide-ranging dialogues and collaborations with various sectors tackling democratic challenges head-on.
"The positive reception from the wider society has been heartening. It underscores the importance of the university's active engagement in democracy, achieved most effectively through direct interaction with those tackling these issues on the ground. We're making significant strides in forging extensive collaborations to support ongoing democracy work," says Rem.
Norway's leading democracy conference
One of the major initiatives is the annual national democracy conference, aptly named The Democracy Conference, orchestrated by UiO:Democracy and Oslo Science City. Set to become Norway's leading academic event on democracy, this conference gathers a diverse range of participants to assess the state of democracy locally, nationally, and globally, while also tackling future challenges and opportunities.
"We find ourselves in a global landscape where autocratic tendencies are on the rise. Despite the strengths of Norwegian democracy, there is an ongoing need for enhancement and development," Rem notes.
He points to challenges like polarization, conspiracy theories, echo chambers, and exclusion, noting that the participation in the last election was around ten percentage points lower among men than women in the age group 18–30. Young men with low levels of education are the least likely to vote.
"The next generation needs to be socialized into democracy. Society must give them a genuine sense of participation and that their voice is heard and matters," he continues.
Anticipation and broad interest
The Democracy Conference 2024 is envisioned as a forum that fosters collaboration and jump-starts practical initiatives to sustain and bolster Norwegian democracy. With a waiting list already in place and a lineup featuring some of the nation's foremost researchers, politicians, and societal figures, the conference promises to be a landmark event.
"The anticipation and broad interest in The Democracy Conference 2024 have been very encouraging. Our goal is to host the most pivotal discussions on democracy in the country, connecting diverse groups and individuals to unearth needs and devise practical solutions," adds Rem.
Active contributions in Oslo Science City
The focus on Democracy and Inclusion as one of four gravitational fields of excellence sets Oslo Science City apart from other innovation districts, positioning it as an important ally for the university's democracy researchers in building broader societal collaborations and the exploration of new funding sources for research and outreach. The Democracy Conference and the well-attended democracy breakfasts, supported by Sparebankstiftelsen, show the potential for expanded collaboration and activity within this sphere.
"As the country's foremost academic democracy initiative, we view the innovation district as a vital platform for active engagement and contribution," states Rem.
Mathilde Skoie, recently named the leader for the gravitational field Democracy and Inclusion within Oslo Science City, is already at work establishing thematic groups that bridge significant societal needs with the strong research environments the district houses.
"The university's mission to extend research into society and ensure its application is paramount. Achieving this requires building comprehensive collaborations across sectors. Oslo Science City stands as our most significant platform for such collaborations, and I am thrilled to be a part of this endeavor," says Skoie.
Christine Wergeland Sørbye, CEO of Oslo Science City, highlights the invaluable contribution of UiO:Democracy's research environments to the district's work on democracy and inclusion.
"These are leading international research groups, working across disciplines to explore ways to strengthen inclusive democracy and prevent exclusion. Their impact within the gravitational field of Democracy and Inclusion in Oslo Science City is already profound," Wergeland Sørbye affirms.