06.11.2024 - This year, NordAN's conference invites you to explore again the vital topics of alcohol and drug policies in our region. Together, we will reflect, debate, and learn from one another.
Understanding Norway Oslo offers us a fitting backdrop for these discussions. Norway's longstanding experience with alcohol regulation, including advertising bans and state monopoly, offers valuable lessons. The highly effective and longstanding NORdic WAY in alcohol policy is best exemplified in NORWAY. However, recent decisions and developments in the Nordic countries raise questions about the future direction of this approach. Our first session will cover both past successes and present threats.
Expected lessons: The importance of maintaining evidence-based alcohol policies amid rising commercial pressures and the lessons from Norway's experience with regulation.
Widening the view on public health From there, we focus our perspective, exploring how alcohol guidelines are developed, how they should be communicated, and how they can play a more effective role within the broader alcohol policy framework. We will explore how the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023 have laid the foundation for evidence-based guidelines across our region.
Questions to contemplate:
How do we effectively convey health risks to the public, especially given the challenges of information overload?
What role can alcohol guidelines play in promoting healthier choices?
Can we view these recommendations and guidelines as supporting frames for alcohol policies?
Drug policy perspective
Day one of the conference includes a dedicated session on drug policy, where we will examine the changing landscape across Europe and North America. This session will explore what works, what doesn't, and how we can avoid repeating mistakes in addressing substance use. The goal is to equip participants with practical tools and positions for fostering healthier environments in their respective countries.
A challenge to address: In which direction should our drug policies evolve to best serve public health and safety, while balancing effective approaches from past experiences?
Dinner and Torchlight Procession
Between the first and second day of the conference, participants are invited to a dinner hosted by IOGT Norway at Torgata 1, IOGT-huset. On the way, we hope to witness a torchlight procession organized by several organizations protesting the reduction of treatment services for people with substance use disorders in Norway. This procession responds to drastic cutbacks, with up to 400 long-term treatment beds at risk over two years, occurring at a time when overdose rates are at their highest since 2001.
Alongside the dinner prepared by the Salvation Army (rumoured to include the world-famous Norwegian 'Kvæfjordkake'), the evening will feature a presentation with photos from a recent charity trip to Ukraine, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the need for continued support.
Health check of monopoly systems
Day two continues this journey with a focus on monopoly systems. These systems, which are crucial in keeping alcohol-related harm in check, are now (are we getting used to it already?) facing pressures from multiple fronts—farm sales in Sweden, distance sales in Iceland, and Finland's gradual move towards opening alcohol sales to the free market. How do we protect what works? How could we backtrack these developments? These are the kinds of questions we will address, and we are glad to have experts and advocates sharing their perspectives.
Expected lessons: Strategies for defending effective monopoly systems and adapting to new challenges keeping public health at the forefront.
International reach and cooperation As we approach the later stages of the conference, our attention will turn to international cooperation. Alcohol-related harm knows no borders, and neither should our efforts to counter it. We'll hear from international projects and organizations on how we can support each other in policy-making and advocacy. In this spirit of collaboration, we hope to inspire fresh energy and determination in each of you, our participants.
Questions to contemplate:
How can we strengthen international cooperation to reduce alcohol-related harm?
What role do international partnerships play in shaping effective national policies?
In conversation: Future of Nordic Alcohol Policy
Before we conclude, we will have a highlight session—a special 'In Conversation' discussion featuring Maria Renström and Bernt Bull, moderated by our network president Mariann Skar. This session will provide in-depth insights into the future of Nordic alcohol policy, fostering an engaging and thought-provoking dialogue among these key experts, true "elders" of Nordic alcohol policy.
In conclusion We look forward to a conference filled with honest discussions, critical reflections, and shared ambitions. Risking sounding a bit corny, we can see Oslo as our 'Alamo' in alcohol policy. Let us set the stage for meaningful action, together.
The conference setting in Oslo highlights Norway's influential stance on alcohol control. The Nordic method makes a compelling case for discussion, especially given how policy alterations may affect future outcomes. It reminds me of how university assignment help UK companies frequently use case studies in policy research, which reflect these changing patterns.