We've had a brilliant response to the invitation to hear more about life in the world's most successful democracies – Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark. So much so we've moved the Northern Horizons meeting on March 16th in the Scottish Parliament to the biggest committee room to squeeze in more people! So if you tried to register and got put off by the sold out label – try again. We'll have Nordic academics, a Nordic specialist MSP from each political party and myself showing a wee film about Norwegian kindergartens to kick off debate. The purpose of the evening is to ask whether excellent parts of the Nordic Model (like their childcare) can be imported to Scotland, if not why not and whether Scotland can afford to copy the Nordic Model.
Mike Russell the Education Minister has just sent his apologies. He can't come because he'll be visiting Sweden and Finland to learn more about their education systems that very day!
So politically the timing is good -- the more evidence, real debate and questioning we can produce on the 16th the better. Just so you don't get lured along under false pretences through, we won't just be discussing childcare. The Nordic economy, oil fund and independence will also be debated.
60-70 folk are already registered. So do register asap at www.northernhorizons.eventbrite.com.
It's also important to get MSPs along – that's why the event is in Holyrood. We want politicians to aim for the best welfare systems not the second best. Especially in a recession.
But rest assured the meeting won't just be full of blinkered Nordophiles.
I'll also be showing the film I made in Norway about their fabulous outdoor kindergarten system in Sofi's bar on March 10th if you're about (with the kind permission of Swedish owner and young mum Anna!) all info on the attached poster. And calling all Dundonians -- Clive Gillman at the DCA is suggesting showing the kindergarten film with a post film discussion. Would there be enough interest for that?
You know how to get in touch!
Well, I appear to have become an Ambassador for Dundee. Whaur's me free copy o the Beano, then eh?
I'm not usually very clubbable when it comes to supporting councils, campaigns and quangos. Invariably, as a journalist, a moment comes when being a "recruit" or Ambassador presents a conflict of interests. For Dundee though, I'd make an exception – partly because it's had far more than its fair share of negative press, and partly because I'd like to see if Ambassadors can get anything done.
With such a wee city, all of us who have the energy to change things should be fully engaged with one another – we're not. Maybe this effort will prompt some long overdue action on my own pet subject – renewable energy.
Today the People's Republic of Eigg announced that islanders are aiming to increase 92% renewable energy to 100% -- Dundee is the only city that could reach those dizzy heights quickly too.
It has an unrivalled capacity for harnessing solar, water and wind energy. Dundee has more hours of winter sunshine than any other city and 60% of its housing stock is on a south-facing slope on the Law Hill, which makes it perfect for generating solar power. People tend to think that you need lots of summer sun for solar energy but that's not true - winter sun happens when energy demand is highest, so it's ideal. Its wind potential is also huge – the two Michelin turbines are great but I would like to see more in the city, and on the bridge. It's even a natural source for tidal energy with the Tay's flowing into the North Sea.
What will it take for Dundee to become Scotland's first completely renewable city? I'm very happy to champion that cause – and fully expect to be made to DO something about it.
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The initial reaction to the Scotsman podcast was been very encouraging. Getting 6 opinionated people in one place was always an interesting challenge. The resulting conversation was excellent. You can play the Scotsman Podcast Number 1 right here and decide yourself.. or go over to the usual repository of all things Feisty and download it there.
I've just come back from the Russian – Norwegian border, 14 kms from Kirkenes in Norway's High North -- driven there by Stein, a very helpful member of the Barents Secretariat. This low-key, quiet border may get busier from April when a new Border Zone will hopefully be created, allowing Russians and Norwegians living with 30 kms of the border visa-free travel – just as all Scandinavians currently enjoy across one another's national borders.
It's quite an advance because on the Russian side (which we didn't reach) there is a barbed wire fence reaching from the Barents Sea to the Gulf of Bothnia on the Finnish Baltic – even though, this border (Russia's oldest) is one of the most peaceful crossing places between east and west. And also one of the slowest – and not just because it's the only border where there's a two hour time difference. Stein tells me that even if you have a multi-journey visa, which allows 90 days in 6 months to be spent in Russia – you still have to "import" your car every time you go through. And you must drive (or cycle) through. No foot traffic is allowed (or makes much sense given its minus 20). The editor of the fabulous Barents Observer www.barentsobserver.com Thomas Nilsen wants his fastest ever processing time of 12 minutes reduced to one minute with biometrics to let him stick a finger into a reader at either side and drive straight through. Will that happen this year? Norway's Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store apparently discussed all these plans in Moscow this week with his opposite number. So big change could be just months away – though just for the border dwellers at first.The Barents Spetakel have had some really cheeky artistic pops at the whole absurdity of the border regime. They do get fit classes (border crossing exercises – geddit?) and made a false floodlit border on the frozen lake beside the check point (above) inviting people to cross.
A recent survey found 70% of Russians want to visit Norway – but only 30% would consider working here. I thought that sounded very low, but Norwegians think that's quite high given the cultural chasm that decades of separation have created. Roll on Spring! I have also been massively impressed by the way people aren't daunted by face-freezing temperatures. This woman had put little socks on her dogs feet so he could still enjoy his daily walk– "he's 13 so now he feels the cold," and older women appear to have better mobility in the snow thanks to wooden sledges that act as shopping trolleys/zimmers/ top speed devices for going down slopes. I'm off to try one now.
