This public lecture is now available as: MP3 (please listen to the file below in three parts).

Europe in general, and the Euro-area in particular, is in turmoil. Many countries are struggling with high unemployment rates, huge deficits and are carrying a heavy debt-burden. The weakness of Europe is of great concern – not only for its citizens, but also for the rest of the world. The spill-over effects to other continents have been very obvious these last months. A lot is at stake and not only in economic terms. The economic crises is only one side of the coin, an emerging political crises in Europe is the other. Social trust is undermined and populism – from right to left – is gaining support.

The Nordic countries are certainly not immune from this development. However, since the mid 1990s the Nordic countries in general, and Sweden in particular, have outperformed the OECD by having higher average GDP-growth, higher employment rates, and lower unemployment rates. The Nordic social model seems competitive.

What lessons can be learnt from Sweden and the other Nordic countries? What are the competitive advantages of the Nordic social model?

Mr. Pär Nuder held several ministerial positions in the former Swedish Labour Government and was Minister of Finance from 2004 - 2006. He was a member of the Parliament from 1994-2009. He is currently Chairman of the Board of the Third Swedish National Pension Fund. Mr Nuder holds a Bachelor of Laws from Stockholm University.

To view the flyer for this event please see: Is the Nordic Social Model under Threat from the Current Crisis in Europe?