- Norway welcomes the rest of Europe to collaborate towards a common goal

Dear participants!

Welcome to Norway!

I’m delighted to be here to open this training seminar in Norway.

AWAREU aims at providing valuable assistance to the European network in their awareness efforts. The project is supported by the European Commission and is run from Norway.

While No is the Norwegian node of this network, AWAREU is set up to provide the whole network with an overlaying body of experience in a wide range of areas; how to run media campaigns, how to involve the ICT industry, how to educate the public, how to ensure good results, and how to involve governing bodies and politicians.

AWAREU emphasises cooperation, coordination and dialogue as key elements to success. None of us are European champions in all fields. We know that there are regional and national differences on many levels.

For example, nearly half of Norwegian parents keep an eye on their childrens’ use of electronic games – or, at least, they think they do.
On the other hand, only 20% of the Swedish parents do the same – and we are neighbour countries! It is therefore important to have an open attitude towards picking the best of the best, regardless of origin.

Strong cooperation between the participating partners in the network ensures an exchange of best practices between all the European arenas. One can then pick the cream of the crop, adapt it to meet local variations and use it to the fullest. The idea is impressively simple; we all contribute, we all save on development expenses, and we all benefit, both as organisations, and as awareness raisers.

Two coordinated efforts will usually bring more success than two separate efforts. By agreeing upon working practices and practicalities, the network will have a much greater impact than any one or two nodes on their own.

A structured cooperation benefits all involved parties, and strengthens the outward image of the network's efforts. Combined with a fact-based agenda, such an approach excludes no one, but facilitates the exchange of ideas, opinions and outlooks.
Thus, everyone is included, and all voices are heard.

A constant dialogue between all players is essential, regardless of organisational viewpoint, funding structure and affiliation. None of us can be right all the time.
What is needed is a solid forum for the sharing of resources and knowledge. The European Awareness Network looks like it's becoming such a place.

The Norwegian government wants to emphasise these ideas, because they have proven successful. The government has wanted to make the issues of safer use of electronic media a priority. We realised quite early the importance of involving several ministries.

The executive team is part of the Norwegian Media Authority, which falls under my Ministry. The collaboration with the Ministry of Children and Family Affairs and the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and also other ministries, has been very fruitful.

I also would like to mention the strong, goal oriented executive team, which has been a key factor in this work.

By catering for the children and parents’ wishes, we have been able to actually have an impact. Since we know that 40% of the children list their schools as their primary source of information, we have targeted the learning institutions specifically. To do this, a national cooperative network is quite essential. And - by adopting an open door policy no one needs to compete, which means that we can work together towards what we all agree upon - a safer use of electronic media for all.

I wish you the best of luck in your endeavours in making the electronic world a safer place for all of us.