11-12 March, 17 participants from 9 different cities, including e.g. Russia, Greece, Poland, Germany, Italy and Serbia, participated in a study visit organized by the City of Oslo, together with the Council of Europe (CoE) and The European Wergeland Centre.

The two-day meeting took place in the City Hall. The first day included a key note speech by Professor Gunn Elisabeth Birkelund, who talked about the minority background population, and the situation in the Norwegian school system.

Of Oslo’s population, about 25 % is of minority background. Of the pupils and students in the schools of Oslo (grade 1-13), approximately 30 % are of minority background.

The participants also visited Elvebakken Upper Secondary school, and met with head teacher and teachers, as well as 10 of the school’s over 1.200 students.

The students, all with minority background, discussed what it meant for them personally to be integrated, how they perceive themselves and see the future of the Norwegian society, as well as the media’s role in the debate about and the process of integrating both first and second generation immigrants.


Day two included a key note speech by Senior Researcher Jon Rogstad about political participation on a governmental and local level. Furthermore, a panel discussion about democracy, participation and dialogue took place. All participants, representing the political sphere, business management and ministries, were eager to discuss the situation in their home countries and to learn more about the situation in Oslo regarding intercultural governance,  policies and every day life.

For more information about the Intercultural Cities Programme, please visit the CoE website.