oslo 2025 Cities ending Homelessness Forum Schedule
Each day of the Forum features sessions that explore topics and solutions relevant to homelessness in Norway. Sessions have been organised by a wide range of organisations and curated by our local hosts The Norwegian Salvation Army.
Choose a day to see it’s schedule (scroll down to see all venues). The event is free and welcomes people from across sectors and interests - from social workers to policy makers, people who have experienced homelessness to researchers and social innovators.
Please register (live stream available for events at the Nobel Peace Centre on Monday 25th Aug).
Dates: Monday 25th - 29th August
Venues: Nobel Peace Centre and Rådhusplassen, Oslo
See the schedule for :
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Professor Emma Tomalin, Leeds University, will present her research into this celebrated model for tackling homelessness. Housing First is based on the idea that all people should have a safe home, without requiring sobriety as a pre-requisite.
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Ida Sollien Kjeldal, Department Manager in Family Residency, The Salvation Army.
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This panel will focus on Norwegian solutions to homelessness, particularly focusing on housing, how systems change has been achieved and what more can be done.
Moderator: Nikki Gravning, Ashoka
Hilde Zeiner, OsloMet University
Emma Tomalin, Leeds University
Hermund Urstad, Husbanken
14:45 - 15:00 : Closing Remarks
Monday 25th August
Venue:
The Nobel Peace Centre, Oslo
Time: 08:30 - 15:00
Language: English
In-person: Starts with refreshments at 08:30. Lunch is also included.
Available to join online.
Venue: The Salvation Army, Ensjø (Ensjøtunet Malerhaugveien 10 a)
Time: 09:00 - 15:00
Language: Norwegian
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This will address current theoretical perspectives and research-based knowledge about the importance of relationships in social work, as well as how we can become more aware of our own role in meeting other people.
Ingunn Tollisen Ellingsen is a professor of social work at the University of Stavanger and head of the Network for Welfare Research. She has a background as a social worker and has extensive experience in teaching, supervision and research. Her research interests include relationships in welfare services and her research highlights how relational competence and relational understanding are crucial for promoting trust, participation and good user-oriented welfare services. She has also contributed to the development of practice-oriented knowledge that promotes ethical and relationship-oriented social work.
Venue: Punkt Oslo Pavillion, Homeless World Cup tournament venue, Rådhusplassen, Oslo.
Time: 14:30 - 15:30
Language: Norwegian
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Session organiser: Punkt Oslo
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Anne Lindboe, Mayor of Oslo
Mel Young, President of Homeless World Cup Foundation
Wenche Walderhaug Midjord, Leader of Salvation Army
Kristen Krogh, OsloMet Rektor
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An opportunity to hear from those who have found support through sport, helping them find community and the confidence to change their own lives.
Moderator: Mel Young (President, Homeless World Cup Foundation)
Players from Gatefotbal, Salvation Army (Norway’s Homeless World Cup Member)
Former Canadian Homeless World Cup player
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Evelyn Kirsten Dyb, OsloMet University.
As a leading expert on homelessness in Norway and author of "Homelessness. Politics and Practice Evelyn will provide an understanding of the Norwegian context around this issue.
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Signe Haukvik Haugen, the National Manager for the Norwegian Homeless World Cup women’s team, the Norwegian Salvation Army.
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Evelyn Kirsten Dyb, OsloMet University
Signe Haukvik Haugen, Norwegian Salvation Army
Players from Gatefotbal, Salvation Army (Norway’s Homeless World Cup Member)
Tuesday 26th August
Venue:
‘The Tent’ - Homeless World Cup tournament venue, Rådhusplassen, Oslo.
Language: Norwegian
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10.00 - 11.30
Venue: The TentPeople who have had substance abuse problems are often outside the workforce. At the same time, having a job, meaningful activities and a drug-free network are crucial to being able to stay drug-free after treatment. Stable work and income provide a fertile ground for coping, belonging and recovery. A safe network of people who do not use drugs is good medicine against loneliness and social exclusion. Why is it so difficult to get in place?
Session Organiser: Actis, the Association for Holistic Drug Policy, FFHR and the job you have in the Salvation Army. -
12:00 – 13:30
Venue: The TentThe Norwegian Office of the Auditor General strongly criticizes the authorities' lack of follow-up of people with concurrent substance abuse and mental illness in terms of health services, housing, activity services, interaction and family involvement. The main organization of the Norwegian Addictions Association invites politicians and the Norwegian Office of the Auditor General to a conversation about the way forward.
Session Organisers: Rusfeltets Hovedorganisasjon
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13:30 - 14:30
Venue: The TentThe UN Convention on the Rights of the Child states that all children have the right to a safe and good home.
This is not the case for all children in Norway. The housing market is becoming more and more demanding, and some people are falling out of the housing market time and time again. Can we as a society accept this? What can we do to ensure that all children have the necessary stability in their upbringing that a safe home represents?
Speaker: Ida Sollien Kjeldal Family Resident
Session Organisers: Familiebosatt, The Salvation Army
Venue:
Punkt Oslo Pavillion - Homeless World Cup tournament venue, Rådhusplassen, Oslo.
Language: Norwegian
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14:30 - 15:30
Venue: Punkt Oslo PavillionSession organiser: Punkt Oslo
Wednesday 27th August
Venue: ‘The Tent’ - Homeless World Cup tournament venue, Rådhusplassen, Oslo.
Language: Norwegian
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09:30 - 11:00
Venue: The Tent
Language: NorwegianLoneliness and social isolation are major public health challenges where we know that loneliness has increased, especially among youth and young adults. The government's work on a national strategy to reduce loneliness (2019-2023) has, among other things, supported the initiative and establishment of social meeting places and activity opportunities. Does this address the problem of loneliness or does it prevent isolation? Is it enough? And how do we face complicated loneliness? Do we need to think differently?
Speakers: Martine Gjøtz Howden / Susanne Vetter
Session Organiser: The Salvation Army, Mellom oss (Between Us)
Venue:
The Nobel Peace Center, Oslo.
Language: See session descriptions
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11:00 - 13:00
Venue: Nobel Peace Centre
Language: EnglishHope for ourselves, for others and for the community can make all the difference. This seminar approaches hope theoretically and as practice in life. We will hear the voices of HWC players from all around the world and listen to the reflections of sports people, social workers and researchers. Participants will also be given the possibility to do a “hope test”. The seminar is inspired by the program “Pathway of Hope” that was established by the Salvation Army in 2012 and provides services to low-income families who desire to break out of poverty. By creating a pathway of hope in helping families to overcome challenges like unemployment, unstable housing and lack of education, families are guided towards increased stability and, ultimately, self-sufficiency. Its goal is to make positive changes visible (Hong, Hong et al. 2021). The program has been translated and adapted to Norwegian society and has a focus on the integration of immigrants and refugees. “Med håp i bagasjen” (Hope in the luggage) offers both job counselling and social counselling combined with low-threshold services with the aim to support individuals and families to develop a more hopeful approach to their situation and their future and take persistent action for change towards stability.
Session Organisers: The Salvation Army and VID Specialized University.
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13:30 - 15:30
Venue: Nobel Peace Centre
Language: NorwegianSpeakers: Researchers, OsloMet University
Session Organiser: OsloMet University
Venue:
Punkt Oslo Pavillian - Homeless World Cup tournament venue, Rådhusplassen, Oslo.
Language: Norwegian
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14:30 - 15:30
Venue: Punkt Oslo Pavillion
Language: NorwegianSession Organisers: Punkt Oslo
Thursday 28th August
Venue:
‘The Tent’ - Homeless World Cup tournament venue, Rådhusplassen, Oslo.
Language: Norwegian
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09:30 – 10:30
Venue: The Tent
Language: NorwegianThe established framework for substance abuse care is being challenged. Patients often have multiple diagnoses and mental illnesses that can be challenging to accommodate in the health care system. Many feel alone and isolated in the face of complex systems, and have few or no close relatives.
The development challenges current services and raises important questions about how we should meet the elderly and sick with substance abuse disorders. Are we able to provide a satisfactory service without adapted and separate units that specifically target this group?
We invite you to a conversation about the future of care and responsibility for a group that too often falls between several chairs.
Speakers: Liv Bente Nilsson and Annette Fredriksen (Street Hospital)
Session Organisers: The Salvation Army Street Hospital
Venue:
The Nobel Peace Center, Oslo.
Language: See session descriptions
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11:00 - 12:00
Venue: Nobel Peace Centre
Language: NorwegianSport is often praised as a bridge into society – but what happens when people with drug challenges encounter organized sport? Does it provide real coping and inclusion, or do they encounter new exclusion and invisible demands?
Join a conversation about how far sport can actually – and should – extend as a socio-political actor. We invite professionals, former drug addicts, sports and politicians to debate.
Speakers: Jens Barland, Pro-Rector for Work and Innovation, Kristiania
University College Hans Erik Næss, Researcher, Kristiania University
College Linda Treseng, CEO, Sport Creates Opportunities
Session Organisers: Kristiania University College -
12.15-13.15
Venue: Nobel Peace CentreThe alcohol abuse organization Av-og-til launches the report "The children who were affected. Young voices about adults' alcohol use in adolescence". By combining the young people's own voices with professional perspectives, Av-og-til wants to contribute to increased awareness of how adults' alcohol use can affect children, and what we can all do. Respons analysis has prepared the report.
Session Organisers: Av-og-til
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13:45 - 15:00
Venue: Nobel Peace Centre
Language: EnglishSport is a powerful tool, opening up new pathways for those experiencing homelessness, social isolation and substance abuse. This panel discussion will explore how a local sports programme helps to change lives, the importance of sport in health equity and how we can create greater impact.
Session Organisers: Homeless World Cup and Ashoka -
15:30 - 16:30
Venue: Nobel Peace Centre
Language: EnglishThis panel discussion will explore local and international initiatives that support women affected by, or at risk of, homelessness and/or gender-based violence (GBV). The speakers will discuss helping women know their rights, educating boys and men to prevent GBV, and promoting a sense of agency.
Session Organisers: Homeless World Cup Foundation
Venue:
Punkt Oslo Pavillian - Homeless World Cup tournament venue, Rådhusplassen, Oslo.
Language: Norwegian
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14:30 - 15:30
Venue: Punkt Oslo Pavillion
Language: NorwegianSession Organisers: Punkt Oslo
Friday 29th August
Venue:
‘The Tent’ - Homeless World Cup tournament venue, Rådhusplassen, Oslo.
Language: English
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09:00 – 10:00
Venue: The Tent
Language: English"Social worker and associate professor at VID Specialized University, Turid Misje, will based on her PhD project about homeless EU migrants in Norway discuss how these migrants experience and navigate the NGO-run services that constitute their ‘homes’ in Oslo."
Speaker: Turid Misje
Session Organiser: VID Specialized University.
Venue:
Punkt Oslo Pavillian - Homeless World Cup tournament venue, Rådhusplassen, Oslo.
Language: Norwegian
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14:30 - 15:30
Venue: Punkt Oslo Pavillion
Language: NorwegianSession Organisers: Punkt Oslo
