oslo 2025 Cities ending Homelessness Forum Schedule

Venue: ‘The Tent’
Language: Norwegian

One in six Oslo residents experience loneliness, according to a new public health survey (FHI May 2025). Loneliness and social isolation are major public health challenges. Loneliness is associated with negative consequences for our physical and mental health, it leads to chronic stress, anxiety and depression, an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and it increases the risk of premature death by 30%. The National Strategy for Preventing Loneliness (2019-2023) aimed, among other things, to highlight loneliness as a public health challenge and establish more social meeting places. But is this enough or can we do something else? And is there a need for more targeted efforts to reduce loneliness within substance abuse care and mental health care? The Salvation Army's discussion offer Between Us – Addiction and Mental Health invites you to a panel discussion on the topic of loneliness.

Moderator:
Elin Herikstad, Assistant Social Director at the Salvation Army.

Participants:

• Hilde Østby, author of the book “Map of Loneliness”

• Magne Ådna, Useful work, Norwegian Welfare Administration

• Susanne Vetter, Between us - addiction and mental health

• Laurence Fremstad, experienced consultant

• Julianne Ofstad (FrP)

• Julianne Ferskaug (L)

• Agnes Nærland Viljugrein (AP)

Session Organiser: The Salvation Army, Conversation Program “Between Us”

Venue: Nobel Peace Center
Language: Norwegian

Nav Oslo presents its Societal Analysis that addresses the most important societal trends up to 2035 and the consequences they may have for Nav Oslo and for the population of Oslo in the future.

At the seminar, the Salvation Army will present two of its projects that work to get people back into work and that use a holistic approach to ensure sustainable solutions for the individual.

Greater attention to the challenges we face will contribute to more accurate strategies and plans for the coming years, and facilitate the possibility for actors like the Salvation Army to contribute with relevant job-oriented projects and innovation.

Moderator: Petra K. Brooke, Section Leader, The Norwegian Salvation Army

Participants:

• NAV Oslo,

• The Norwegian Salvation Army's Section for Growth

• FRETEX at the program “With Hope in Our Bags”

Session Organisers: NAV Oslo, The Norwegian Salvation Army “With Hope in Our Bags”, Department for Youth and Fretex

Venue: The Tent
Language: English

Hope for ourselves, for others and for society can make all the difference.

This seminar explores hope in theory and as a practice in lived life. We will hear the voices of HWC players from around the world and listen to the reflections of athletes, social workers and researchers. Participants will also have the opportunity to take a “hope test”.

The seminar is inspired by the “Path of Hope” program, which was established by the Salvation Army in 2012 and provides services to low-income families seeking to break out of poverty. By creating a path of hope to help families overcome challenges such as unemployment, unstable housing and lack of education, families are guided towards increased stability and ultimately self-sufficiency.

Panellists:

• Ståle Søbye (VID)

• Annette Leis-Peters (VID)

• Oddgeir Synnes (VID)

• Kristin Stordal (Salvation Army's section for Welfare and Development)

• Yngvild Østvold Mejland (National Coordinator of 'With Hope in the Bag, The Salvation Army, Welfare and Development Section)

• George Halkias (Sport for Development Leader, National Street Soccer Coach/Co-Founder Big Issue Australia Street Soccer)

• Lisa Wrightsman (Managing Director at Street Soccer USA)

Session Organisers: VID University College of Applied Sciences and The Salvation Army