Nordic House kindly ivites you to this very event.

1. COMBATING POVERTY AND SOCIAL EXCLUSION IN SCANDINAVIA
INVITATION
Seminar in MEREK from 14.00 on 25. March 2010.
(Budapest, II. district Marcibányi tér 3.)
Organizers: Nordic House Foundation, Finnagora, MEREK
„Poverty is close to everyone. It can reach you at any time in the form of a lost job, a
bad bank loan, an accident or a broken relationship. However it is more likely that we can
avoid these dangers if we form our lives more cautiously by understanding their nature.
At the same time we take the responsibility not only for ourselves but for our narrower
and broader environment, too. And it is not just the question of power and money. We
are all capable of making the lives of the poor living around us better and support them
so they can help themselves, too. We can do good to them with voluntary work, with
giving them something we do not use any more or just with a smile.
Márton Illés –„The 100 poorest” publication, preface
The European Commission has designated 2010 as the European Year for Combating
Poverty and Social Exclusion.
78 million people in the EU – or 16% of the population – currently live at risk of poverty.
The most important aim of the program is to stir up civil society and draw people’s
attention to the fact that it is everyone’s responsibility to fight against poverty.
Northern states are famous for their effectively working social network, the high standard
of the social institutions and for the solidarity and tolerance which is typical of the
society. But it is known only by a few that in achieving this how important role the civil
organizations, volunteers and private persons had and still have.
The aim of the common event of Nordic House Foundation, Finnagóra and MEREK is to
give an inside view of the work of civil organizations in the northern countries. We invited
the representatives of those organizations to give a lecture that carry out successful,
progressive and exemplary work in their own country. We do believe that they can
convey useful and interesting thoughts to the Hungarian audience.
The other goal of the event is to build connections between the civil organizations of our
countries. Therefore every Hungarian civil person is very welcome so as volunteers and
professionals who are interested in international co-operation. We give an opportunity to
our guests from the North as well to get acquainted with the work of Hungarian
organizations with the similar profile.

2. OUR LECTURERS
Conrad Andreasen from Denmark as representative of League of Associations for Equal
Opportunities, which comprises institutions dealing with youngsters with slight mental
handicap – or as they call them: late developers. The vast majority of schools and
training institutions were founded by private persons and work as a foundation or
organization. Their aim is to enable young adults leaving the institutions to live their lives
as active members of the society with full powers. The title of the lecture: “Holistic
education for young people with special needs, or driving license to life".
Heikki Hursti from Finland, leader of „Veikko and Lahja Hursti Charitable Trust”.
The foundation was founded by Heikki Hursti’s parents in 1983, but Veikko Hursti (the
father) had done charity work since 1967 in the Finnish capital. He was elected as one of
the 20 greatest Finnish people who have ever lived. After his death his son, Heikki
became the head of the foundation. Their activity includes food and clothes distribution
and organization of charity programs. The title of Heikki’s lecture: ”Poverty in Finland”
Anlov P. Mathiesen from Norway, head of organization called =Oslo. The organization
is the publisher of the street-magazine of the same name which is sold by socially
disadvantaged, homeless, drug addict people on the streets of Oslo. The influence of the
magazine in Norway is considered unique on international level, too.
Title of presentation: "Respect and demand." It is about that disadvantaged people
can only be helped if we make demands on them and create the conditions for active
self-help.
Camilla Svenonius from Sweden as representative of "National Support Organization of
Drug Addict People”. This is an organisation working with drug and medicine abuse in
Sweden. It has different local association working with different projects to help drug and
medicine abusers. As an individual, Mrs. Svenonius is active in developing user councils
within the Swedish treatment system. She is also working with organising local-tv with
African women and girls, to spread experiences and knowledge about their particular
conditions. Title of her lecture: “User councils”.
PROGRAM
13.00 Press conference (MEREK, Holnap Háza, conference room)
14.00 The conference is opened by Veronika Varga, representative of Nordic
House Foundation
14.05 Lecture of Anlov P. Mathiesen: "Respect and demand"
14.45 Lecture of Conrad Andreasen: “Holistic education for young people with
special needs, or license to life”
15.30 Interval
15:45 Lecture of Heikki Hursti: “Poverty in Finland”
16.30 Lecture of Camilla Svenonius: “User councils”
17.15 Questions, debate
18:00 Reception
Languages of the lectures are English and Scandinavian languages – with interpreting.
Participation at the seminar is free, but registration is necessary.
Registration and more information: info@skandinavhaz.hu or +36 1 2250329.
Contact person: Veronika Varga
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