Norway has a parliamentary system and one of the main task of the Norwegian parliament (Stortinget) is to adopt, amend and repeal laws. In this module, participants will learn how laws are made at both the municipal and national levels.

• How bills are drafted before being presented to the parliament
• The journey from the bill to the assent stage
• How you can express your opinion and participate in legislative hearings
• Recognize the key actors in the legislative  process
• How lobbying works in Norway
• The role of the monarchy in the legislative process

The executive arm of government is charged with the responsibility of implementing the laws and regulations in Norway. In this practical module, participants will learn:

• Why and how working in the public sector is a form of policy influence.
• How to get a job in Norwegian public sector.
• Special benefits for public sector employees in Norway.
• Some challenges and restrictions with working in the public sector in Norway

In this session, you will learn about the Norwegian civil and criminal systems. How to find out your rights and obligations in Norway as well as how to assert them.

Did you know that the current President of Stortinget, Masud Gharahkhani, has an immigrant background? Yes, that is because everyone with a Norwegian citizenship, irrespective of their ethnic background, has a possibility of holding elected political offices at both local and national levels. As an elected official, you gain a direct platform to influence policy and shape the future of the country.

Even if you choose not to pursue an elected position, your voice still matters. By casting your vote for candidates who represent your values, you actively participate in the policy process.

In this module, you will explore the following topics:

• Your voting rights and eligibility in local and national elections in Norway.
• The major political parties in Norway and how you can become a member of one.
• How to stand for an election in Norway.
• Real life stories and experiences from inspiring politicians with immigrant backgrounds.

The media is often referred to as the fourth arm of government because of the role they play in shaping public opinion. In this practical module, facilitated by an award winning investigative journalist, you will learn:

• The different techniques for writing an opinion piece in Norwegian media outlets
• The various platforms where you can find data and statistics to write fact based opinion pieces
• Why the newspaper editor may publish or not publish your opinion piece and what to do
• How to fact check social media news in these days of fake news

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) can influence public policies through various strategies and channels.

In this module, you will learn from an experience professional in the non-for-profit sector in Norway on:

• How non-for-profit organisations influence public policies and create changes in Norway
• Where to find Norway based voluntary organisations that meet your interest
• How to start your own voluntary organisation in Norway
• Where and how to find funding, skilled volunteers and other resources to support your organisation/cause.

We will visit the Norwegian parliament (Stortinget) where we will learn more about the policy process in Norway and hear from parliamentarians with immigrant backgrounds about their experiences  and journey to where they currently are.