Summary of Report No. 16 (2006-2007) to the Storting

Link to the whitepaper in english version pdf-format

Link to the whitepaper in french version pdf-format

Chapter 1 A knowledge society for all

The Government will pursue an active policy to reduce the differences in society. Its goals are to diminish class distinctions, reduce economic inequity and combat poverty and other forms of marginalisation. Society must develop in a way in which power, benefits and obligations are distributed in the fairest possible way.

Everyone must have the same possibility of developing themselves and their abilities. A society characterised by community and equal worth provides the best setting for individuals to pursue their own life projects. Societies with small economic and social differences are also among the most productive in an economic sense.

Education systems are affected by changes in other areas of society and actors at all levels of the education system must use their knowhow to develop a proactive approach to developments in society. When social inequality increases, efforts to combat the differences must be intensified in the education system. This white paper presents the Government’s policy for how the education system can make a greater contribution to social equalisation.

Education, knowledge and skills contribute to inclusion in the workplace, to better economy and better health, to greater participation in society and to a lower crime level. Furthermore, participation in training and education has great significance for self-realisation. Including each individual in a learning environment that stimulates life-long learning is an important contribution to creating a good life.