Address to the opening ceremony of Junior Achievement Young Enterprise (JA-YE) Europe Company of the Year Competition

Dear friends from all over the world. Welcome to Norway and Junior Achievement Young Enterprise (JAYE) Company of the Year Competition 2011!

It’s a special experience for me to stand her with you today, but it’s also a privilege. As you know, on July 22 Norway experienced a vicious attack on our democracy, and on our youth. 77 innocent lives were extinguished in the bombing in Oslo and the shootings on Utøya. The worst attack on our country outside wartime.

In the two weeks since the attack, the Norwegian people, and especially the young people of Norway, have taken a stand against the terrorist. We want more freedom and we want more democracy. As the minister for democracy, these actions have made me even prouder of our country.

I would also like to use the opportunity here, with representatives from several countries present, to express our gratitude for kind words and condolences from all over the world. We have felt that we are not alone. This has given us strength during difficult times.

We are still a country in mourning. But step by step we are taking our daily life back.

I am very impressed with the work you all have done! There is a lot of such talent in this room.

Europe’s future depends on first class entrepreneurs like you! The creation of new jobs is crucial to the economy of our countries in order to finance welfare and prosperity for the future. Not for decades has this been more important than now in today’s crisis. We need bold people who dare to take a leap and start their own business. Creative people, who transform ideas into new business ventures or develop existing companies.

However we cannot only address the needs of society, there is also an individual perspective: Being an entrepreneur you get the chance to develop your skills, follow your dream and create something unique and useful. Young people produce new ideas and views on development. The educational system has to stimulate this creativity and develop the skills necessary to make dreams and projects a reality. Creativity, the idea-development-process and knowledge of business development should therefore be a part of the education for all. The JAYE Company Program is an excellent training to become an entrepreneur.

It is important that young students like you discover the entrepreneurial opportunities that lie in your local communities. I am impressed by the way JA-YE is working to motivate and inspire young people to bring out all their natural talents in full bloom. Local entrepreneurs, young people and voluntary associations have brought new life to many local communities.

The Norwegian Government will continue to place significant emphasis on efforts to stimulate entrepreneurship amongst young people. We have an action plan for entrepreneurship in the education system, a more systematic approach to advisory services and we have increased funds in order to help entrepreneurs create new high quality jobs. We have also introduced a national mentorship program for entrepreneurs between the age of 18 and 35.

I know you have important meetings during this event, you will focus on social entrepreneurship, and you will exchange best practices. I am certain JAYE will continue to contribute, and contribute even more to our effort to educate creative, motivated and entrepreneurial students for the future.

It makes me optimistic about the future to know that many of the challenges we have today will be overcome through smart and new solutions created by young people all over the world.

The “Junior Achievement –Young Enterprise” Europe Company of the Year Competition is a showcase of the best student companies of the year from across Europe.

I want to wish you the best of luck for these days in Norway and for the future. I hope these days will provide inspiration and that you make use of this opportunity to exchange experiences with youth from all parts of Europe.

The Competition can begin!

Thank you.