The Norwegian government is sending a report on living conditions in the cities for consultation. The commission, which has been researching living conditions and integration challenges in selected urban areas for two years, submitted its report just before Christmas.
Report of the City and Living Conditions Commission - NOU 2020: 16 Living conditions in cities - good local communities for everyone , will stay now sent for wide consultation with a deadline of April 30.
Equal opportunities
It is the Minister of Education and Integration, in cooperation with the Minister of Local Government and Modernization, who sends the report for consultation.
- We will have equal opportunities for participation, work and education for all inhabitants of our country. Regardless of where you live, says Guri Melby (V), Minister of Education and Integration. The minister adds that children and adolescents should be given opportunities to participate in society.
The City and Living Conditions Committee has mapped the scope of the conditions challenges life in Norway's largest cities and around them. Such challenges include poor living conditions, few places to meet and engage, unemployment, child poverty, violence in close relationships, dropout from education and poor health. This is just an example of a few issues.
Tendencies to segregate
The Commission has mapped the challenges of living conditions regardless of ethnicity. She also looked at how the distribution of such challenges coincides with place of residence in Norway residents of immigrant origin. In this regard, the committee found trends towards ethnic and socio-economic segregation in kindergartens, primary and upper secondary schools in the relevant urban areas.
- That the state and municipalities can implement measures that best contribute to leveling the differences and counteracting the challenges related to living conditions. We must have knowledge. The Commission has provided us with valuable information that we will take with us to work on area-based initiatives in large cities. We look forward to receiving more information as part of the consultation, says Nikolai Astrup, Minister for Local Government and Modernization (H).
Opportunities affect children's development
Many of the surveyed residents of relevant urban areas are satisfied with their neighborhood. They have a high level of prosperity as well as considerable resources and initiative. At the same time, there are challenges. The report indicates, among other things. Growing up in an area prone to poor living conditions over time can have a negative impact on education and development dzieci and youth.
- As the minister of education and integration, I am convinced that we must have good documentation that shows. How are socio-economic and living conditions challenges linked to opportunities for participation, education and integration, and in what direction development is actually going, 'emphasizes Melby. The minister adds that the report, which is currently being sent for consultation, is very extensive.
Source: Regjeringen.no
