OUR MISSION:
We work to strengthen democratic culture through bottom-up initiatives that show fault lines in the welfare state.
Our focus is on solutions based on boosting civic engagement, education, dialogue, and citizen-led innovation.
THE BOARD:
Founders:
Nina Witoszek, President
Polish-Norwegian writer, cultural historian, international researcher on democracy, trust and civic culture.
Eva Joly, Vice President
International advocate of transparency, justice and democratic accountability, and former member of the EU Parlament.
Members of the board:
Atle Midttun
Professor emeritus at BI Norwegian Business School, visiting professor at several US and European universities.
Sissel Rogne
Professor, Director of International Ocean Affairs, former Director General of Institute for Marine Research and Science Director of University for Life Sciences.
Sara Aurora Meyer Øverli
Cultural producer and project coordinator with international experience in communication, administration and cultural management.
PAST EVENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS:
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22 Februar 2026, Oslo
Nina Witoszek and Eva Joly joined Christian Borch and victims of the trap for a discussion about the pension coordination trap and the consequences of Norway’s pension reform. The seminar and the resulting video bring forward the stories of public-sector employees who worked throughout their lives expecting financial security in retirement, only to discover that the coordination rules had drastically reduced, or even eliminated, their accrued occupational pensions.
Through personal accounts and critical discussion, the video shows how technical and difficult-to-understand pension regulations have affected people’s lives, often without adequate or accurate information being provided. It raises broader questions about a systemic problem that has been administered by the state without meaningful democratic debate about its consequences. -
13 May 2025, Oslo
Eva Joly and Nina Witoszek hosted the first seminar in the series Black Holes in the Welfare State at Håndverkeren in Oslo. Moderated by Sylo Taraku and featuring guest artist Marianne Heske, the event examined the growing distance between citizens and public institutions through three concrete cases: the surveillance of younger generations by the welfare state, corruption and accountability within the Norwegian police, and the failures surrounding Norway’s Health Platform. Bringing together legal and medical experts with members of the public, the seminar explored how institutional failures affect trust, justice and democratic accountability in the Norwegian welfare state.
Information about the seminar here. (In Norwegian)
Witoszek og Joly, E. Debattinnlegg: Det urettferdige Norge, VG, 3.11.2023
Witoszek, N. Demokrati som terapi, Aftenposten 4.9.2024
Witoszek og Joly, E. Pensjon, Pensjonsreformen | Stortinget må fjerne samordningsfellen og betale tilbake, Nettavisen, 5.6.2025
Witoszek,N. Kunsten å ta feil, Klassekampen, 21.3.2026
Witoszek, N. Helseplattformen, et lite stykke Norge, Klassekampen, 30.5.2026
Polish-Norwegian Collaboration in organizing a conference Education-Cooperation-Satisfaction at Hevelianum Center, 6 October 2025.
See: Konferencja Edukacja-Współpraca-Satysfakcja. Szczęśliwi, bo różnorodni. - Hevelianum
Nina Witoszek’s lectures at the “Polish Week of Happiness at Schools” series, 9 Sept.- 5 Oct. 2025.
See: VI OGÓLNOPOLSKI TYDZIEŃ SZCZĘŚCIA W SZKOLE - Ogólnoksztalcące Szkoly Sportowe (XXI Sportowe Liceum Ogólnokształcące, Gimnazjum nr 21 im. Dziedzictwa Pontyfikatu Jana Pawła II)
Polish-Norwegian round table: “How to Counteract the Authoritarian Spell? Perspectives from Social Science, Legal Experts, and NGOs”,
Oslo New University College (ONH), 22-24 May 2025.
See here for programme
“The Role of Civil Society in Boosting Democratic Innovations, Rule of Law and Social Well-being“.
A Polish-Norwegian Round Table, Collegium Civitas, 21-22 October 2024.
See the programme:
Whistleblower Parliament
Public debate: “The Almighty State? What can be done?
Boosting Civic Engagement in Schools
Poland-Norway Democracy Dialogues