NAV [Norwegian Labor & Welfare Organization]

First, allow me to apologize for the lack of recent blogging.  Our host-mother Bente's internet was a bit spotty for a bit!  With the standard "plug & unplug" trick we got it back up and running.

Now for the update!

Yesterday was a lengthy day - however it was super interesting & informative.  We were presented information at the NAV [Norwegian Labor & Welfare Organization] office.  Since being in Norway, we have been talking to a lot of folks about the high taxes & equally high benefits.  NAV is responsible for distributing benefits to Norwegian citizens - and they say that they "Provide Opportunities for People."  We specifically learned about the sickness benefits, inclusive workplace, and mobility of workers within the European Union. [Although Norway is not a member of the EU they have agreements for workers to enter Norway in areas that have a shortage of workers.]

We learned that Norway is considered a "Welfare State" where they:

• Pay taxes
• The state holds responsibility for people's welfare
• There is a safety net for children and families
• There is a safety net below the safety net

It was also so neat for me that they presented on the leadership training that they do with the companies that choose to be "Inclusive Workplaces."  They shared with us the work of Oyvind Martinsen [a professor at BI - the Norwegian Business School that we will visit later on in our trip.]  Fun to see that leadership training is a global concept and the concepts that we are working to teach the students at the University of Memphis reaches internationally.  

Although the day was VERY interesting, it did not lend for any "good" photo ops so instead I will leave you with my breakfast view!