Editorial (FTU’s View)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is launching a national project on technology and development assistance. This is very encouraging for FTU. It means that Norway’s government and ministry support FTU’s purpose and are elevating it to the level of national policy. Watch the recording of the dialogue meeting between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norad, SINTEF, and the technology communities in Trondheim:
https://www.regjeringen.no/no/aktuelt/norges-fortrinn-i-en-ny-global-virkelighet/id3157749
FTU believes it is highly significant that many Norwegian organizations and professional communities are now highlighting the important topics that FTU has traditionally covered alone. The global security-policy landscape is difficult. Norway holds a unique position internationally because we are strong in both technology and development cooperation. In addition, we have the Government Pension Fund Global, whose investments can be directed toward more profitable opportunities through Norfund and national research communities. If more Norwegian funding is directed toward traditional Norwegian development cooperation, with the involvement of the technology communities, we can create a win-win situation for all parties. This would help promote Norwegian democracy while also giving Norwegian technology communities greater global influence.
We at FTU are especially proud that our member SINTEF, represented by Anneli Paulsen, played an active role in shaping the dialogue meeting for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Vendepunkt project. We are also grateful that SINTEF, Norad, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are raising FTU’s topics at the national level.
Anna Blechingberg, Editor at FTU