Activities

FTU continues to expand its activities, having grown for three consecutive years. We held several excellent seminars in autumn 2025 and spring 2026, with recordings available on our YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@ftu-norway?si=-rMEooUW3lT2gP3R

In addition, we are planning to launch regular podcasts in June or August 2026. We are also expanding our website to function as a platform for publishing an online newspaper. We will also publish recorded videos covering FTU’s key topics, produced without a live audience and edited. Gradually, we are becoming a media organization that publishes podcasts, video, and written content online.

The main themes for our publications in 2026 will be disinformation and hybrid warfare, corruption, climate change, climate finance, sustainable data centers, health technology, education, the brain and social media, soil improvement and climate measures, polarization, and data collection for the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Public Events

Hybrid warfare, disinformation, and influence
We have brought together many international experts from Finland, Ukraine, Sweden, and Norway for an event at Fredrikstad House of Literature on September 7 at 19:00:
https://ftu.no/desinformasjon-hybridkrig-og-pavirkning-hvordan-finne-losninger-med-teknologi/

Climate finance
Our seminar series continues on October 12 with a seminar focused on Norges Vel and their extensive experience in climate finance. Recordings from our previous seminars are available on our website and YouTube channel:
https://ftu.no/klimafinansiering-med-norges-vel/

Sustainable data centers and AI
We explore how sound technology choices can steer data centers globally in a more sustainable direction. This builds on the success from spring 2025, when 300 participants joined the livestream on Sustainable AI:
https://www.tekna.no/fag-og-nettverk/IKT/ki-som-global-mulighet-og-risiko/
Students are a key target group, and we are collaborating with the Norwegian Electricians and IT Workers Union. The event is planned for autumn 2026.

Soil improvement in developing countries
In collaboration with NIBIO and internal FTU experts, we highlight the strong Norwegian efforts to increase crop yields and improve soil quality internationally. We also examine climate adaptations needed for global agriculture. Planned for autumn 2026 at Asplan Viak.

Corruption and the UN Sustainable Development Goals
The Norwegian Helsinki Committee contributes its expertise along with invited guests.

Health technology for developing countries
We focus on how Norwegian technology improves global health. This is also a democratic issue, as access to quality healthcare supports stronger democracies in developing countries.

Education in developing countries and humanitarian crises
How Nordic technology contributes to education in crisis-affected countries, refugee camps, and developing regions. There is a particular focus on education for girls in Afghanistan.

The brain, social media, and polarization
We examine how social media influences the brain and drives societal polarization, and how individuals and societies can counteract these effects. Social media also impacts democracy and global cooperation.

Ukraine: Water and sanitation in war and reconstruction
A collaboration with Habitat Norway and the Ukrainian Association in Norway. Planned for 2026, pending sponsorship.

Global data collection and storage for climate and environmental research
The situation in the United States and internationally, in collaboration with researchers at NIVA and in the U.S.