Voksenåsen participated in Arendalsuka 2026 with two events that highlighted democratic preparedness, the role of culture in society, and youth participation. Both discussions drew an engaged audience to the Nordic Tent and sparked fruitful conversations about how we can strengthen democracy and societal resilience in an era marked by polarization, disinformation, and growing uncertainty.
On Thursday, August 13, we hosted a discussion titled “Culture as Preparedness—What Does That Mean in Practice?”, which focused on the importance of culture for trust, community, and democratic resilience. The panel included Kim Berg, Vice President of the Nordic Council; Knut Storberget, State Secretary; and Kirsti Mathiesen Hjemdahl from Cultiva. The discussion was moderated by Anna Forsberg Florén, Program Director at Voksenåsen. The discussion highlighted how culture can help strengthen society’s ability to face crises and challenges, and emphasized culture’s role as a vital component of civil preparedness.
On Friday, August 14, we partnered with the publishing house Cultiva to host “Young Voices—Democracy in Practice,” where young activists and socially engaged individuals shared their experiences with everyday activism, organizational work, and democratic participation. Jonatan Lamy from Sveriges Elevkårer, Sarah Taif from UngYtring and Solidaritetsungdommen, and Sigrid Hoddevik Losnegård from Natur og Ungdom provided the audience with concrete examples of how young people can influence social development and bring about change. The discussion was moderated by Sarah Lilleberg Safavifard, project manager for democracy and youth participation at Voksenåsen.
Through both events, Voksenåsen highlighted the importance of Nordic cooperation, democratic participation, and culture as a force for community and resilience. We thank all contributors, partners, and participants who helped make these two events a success and fostered important conversations about the future of democracy.
