Annual report 2020

ANNUAL REPORT 2020

Rådhusgata 23b, 0158 Oslo info@noram.no +47 23 35 71 60 Org. nr. NO 939 616 233

www.noram.no

Annual Report 2020 The Norway-America Association (NORAM) is a non-profit membership association whose purpose is to strengthen the bonds between Norway and North America. The Association is open to anyone interested in transatlantic cooperation through academic and cultural exchange. NORAM has three target groups: • Those who wish to learn (students, pupils, members, and partners) • Those who teach (universities and colleges in Norway and North America) • Those who want to facilitate learning (authorities, members, alumni, and partners) NORAM offers free counseling to students who want to study in the USA or Norway and is a resource for high school counselors. Through its activities, NORAM strengthens competence and international exchange and promotes networking and mutual understanding on both sides of the Atlantic. NORAM has several scholarship programs for bachelor’s and graduate studies and research stays. The scholarships are aimed toward Norwegian and American students. They are funded through the Norway-America Foundation and NORAM’s American partners American Scandinavian Foundation and Thanks to Scandinavia. NORAM also administers other scholarships, such as the America-Norway Heritage Fund, awarded to Americans who have highlighted the impact of Norwegian immigration on the United States through their life and work. NORAM and the Norwegian Atlantic Committee jointly administer the Ambassador Robert D. Stuart Jr. Fellowship, which allows younger Norwegian politicians the opportunity to spend a semester in Washington, D.C., a stay that often includes an internship in the Senate or Congress. Norgesskolen, NORAM’s summer school in Telemark for children and youth aged 9 to 18, is a unique offer to children and youth who live outside Norway yet have Norwegian connections. Norgesskolen may also provide students with the potential to enter the Norwegian higher education system. Highlights 2020 The whole world was affected by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. NORAM/NWW experienced additional fundamental changes and even started new activities. What follows is a summary of the most important events of the year: NWW and NORAM merged The sister organizations Norwegians Worldwide, NWW (established 1907), and the Norway-America Association, NORAM (established 1919), agreed to merge into one joint organization. The merger was approved at the annual meetings of both associations on June 8, 2020. Norwegians Worldwide was the acquiring organization (corp. No. 939 616 233) and the name of the new organization is «the Norway-America Association (NORAM).» New bylaws and a more pointed mission statement were adopted. The purpose of the merger was to gather the Associations’ scarce resources, thereby creating a sustainable and more robust organization, better adapted to current needs and demands. The corona pandemic impact On March 12, Norwegian society was shut down to limit infection and gain control of the pandemic. Everyone who could work from home was required to use a home office. Within a few days, virtually all NORAM activities were carried out digitally. It was a steep learning curve as we had to adapt to the new situation. However, some activities and events had to be canceled or postponed indefinitely.

Norgesskolen was canceled During the first three months of the year, planning, employment, and registrations for Norgesskolen 2020 proceeded as usual. The school was to be arranged at Sagavoll Folkehøyskole in Gvarv, Telemark, as in previous years. There was a record number of registrations. NWW held an extraordinary board meeting on April 2 and decided to cancel Norgesskolen for the first time in the school’s 18-year history. We surveyed parents of students enrolled for 2020 and former students to gauge the interest in a digital version of Norgesskolen. The conclusion was an unequivocal no, as Norgesskolen is attractive and unique because it combines formal Norwegian language teaching with experiences and leisure activities. The fact that the students gather physically in Norway and live together in a boarding school cannot be replaced by a digital program. Thus, Norgesskolen 2020 was canceled. The administration kept the interest in the program alive throughout the summer and autumn, with ageappropriate recommendations for Norwegian literature, among other things. Dual citizenship achieved – a win for Norwegians Worldwide The new Citizenship Act entered into force on January 1, 2020. On February 3, the new electronic application form of the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) was ready. From that day on, people who had lost their Norwegian citizenship could apply to regain it. The case has been of great importance to the Association’s members. A lot of work went into informing the public about the case in social media and newsletters to members. NWW also took the initiative to make a podcast about the new Citizenship Act and asked in advance for input on topics via Facebook and received more than 50 questions and comments. NWW produced the podcast in collaboration with the UDI. The head of UDI’s citizenship department, Kjetil Jacobsen, was available in the studio to answer questions and run through the most critical changes in the new act. The podcast was made available on Spotify, SoundCloud, and iTunes. All questions discussed in the podcast were summarized in Norwegian and English and made available on NWW’s website. A flurry of activity and interest in NORAM scholarships and counsel In 2020, 29 scholarships were awarded, with a total value of NOK 3,826,800. Initially, 40 students were nominated for scholarships from NORAM or one of our partners and schools. Due to the pandemic, however, several had to cancel their studies or postpone them until next year. NORAM decided not to seek reimbursement for scholarship money from students who chose to return home due to the pandemic. There is still a great interest to study and do research in North America. NORAM, however, was not able to support all qualified applicants in 2020. American students are also interested in studying in Norway, and NORAM awarded all available scholarships from the Norway-America Foundation’s Marshall Fund earmarked for Americans. All the American fellows started their studies in Norway after completing the quarantine period. In 2020, NORAM emphasized counseling students and pupils and participated in several trade fairs and other types of events. Some of the annual events were canceled, but most of the study fairs proceeded digitally. NORAM is an active member of the EducationUSA network which consists of more than 400 advising centers around the world. The membership provides many funding opportunities and access to informational resources for NORAM, helping us provide better advising for students.

Last year, NORAM embarked on using a digital application portal, www.stipendportalen.no, for graduate scholarships. This has eased the process for the applicants as well as the scholarship committee and the administration.

NORAM by Numbers Scholarships awarded through NORAM’s programs in 2020 Norwegians to the U.S.: Number of scholarship recipients/trainees Undergraduate admission and scholarships from 2*** schools Awards for Graduate Studies and Research in 21**** the U.S.: The Norway-America Association Awards (Norge- 3 Amerika Stiftelsen) American-Scandinavian Foundation Awards (ASF) 16 Thanks to Scandinavia 2 The John Dana Archbold Fellowship ** Alf and Bergljot Kolflat Award for Architects and ** Engineers (Norge-Amerika Stiftelsen) Ambassador Robert D. Stuart Jr. Fellowship: ** Award for Norwegian Politicians to the U.S. Americans to Norway: Number of scholarship recipients/trainees Norwegian Marshall Fund/ Norwegian 6 Thanksgiving Fund (Norge-Amerika Stiftelsen) American Civilization Lecturing Fund ** Total: 29

Scholarship Amount (NOK)* 502 700 kr 3 138 100 kr 249 000 kr 2 513 500 kr 365 600 kr

Scholarship Amount (NOK)* 196 000 kr

3 826 800 kr

* Awards made in USD have been converted using Norges Bank currency August 3rd 2020, 1 USD = 9,14 NOK ** No applicant was awarded *** In addition, 11 undergrad students were admitted to partner schools but chose to cancel or defer because of the Covid-19 pandemic **** Two awards were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, six students have deferred

Administration 2020 The cancellation of Norgesskolen caused a substantial loss of income in the first half of the year – and less work. Layoffs were thus inevitable as it was difficult to maintain full employment. • The head of Norgesskolen was partially laid off from April and left the organization on December 31. • NWW’s advisor for communication and organizational development was partially laid off in April and left the organization when her engagement expired in August. • The executive officer of NWW and NORAM reduced her position to 80% in April and May and was partially laid off from 100 to 60% in the autumn of 2020. • NORAM’s head of scholarships and communication maintained a 100% position throughout the year.

From the autumn of 2020, the merged Norway-America Association (NORAM) has had 2.4 FTEs for a total of three employees. However, two employees have been partially laid off, so that the FTE amounted to 1.8 FTE in reality. Volunteers contribute significantly to NORAM, e.g., members of the board and scholarship committee and professional consultants who serve as volunteers. A bachelor student from St. Olaf College in Minnesota interned at NORAM for around four weeks in January/February. An internship in Norway is part of the study program for students majoring in Norwegian. This is the second time NORAM has had an intern from St. Olaf; the administration finds the arrangement to be very enriching and valuable. Royal patronage renewed HM King Harald renewed his royal patronage for NORAM for the period 2021–2025. The king has been a royal patron for both NWW and the Norway-America Association for three generations. Honors to former executive director Flatin Former executive director of the NWW and the Norway-America Association, Kjetil A. Flatin, was appointed Knight 1st Class in the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit by HM King Harald. Flatin received the honors as a recognition of his efforts to internationalize higher education and his work to promote awareness about Norway and strengthen the bond between emigrated Norwegians and Norway. Flatin wrote NORAM’s anniversary book A Journey through Higher Education, which was released in connection with NORAM’s 100th anniversary in 2019. Relationships at home and abroad The Norway-America Association collaborates with several organizations, including: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

The Norwegian Emigrant Museum (Stiftelsen Norsk Utvandrermuseum) NAHA – Norwegian-American Historical Association American Chamber of Commerce Norway American Coordinating Council Norway (ACCN) The Association of NGOs in Norway (Frivillighet Norge) The Norwegian Seamen’s Church (Sjømannskirken) American Scandinavian Foundation Thanks to Scandinavia Greater Tacoma Peace Prize Sons of Norway Chambers of Commerce in Houston, Seattle, and New York Norwegian Society of Texas The Norwegian American newspaper Nordic Museum Seattle Norway House, Minneapolis The Sweden-America Foundation (Sverige-Amerika Stiftelsen) Swedes Worldwide Danes Worldwide Finland Society The Royal Society for Swedish Culture Abroad (Riksföreningen Sverigekontakt)

Finances The financial situation of the merged organization remained weak in 2020. The merger entailed additional costs, and the deficit of NWW had to be taken into account for the year. NWW’s financial

situation was not sustainable and was a chief reason behind the merger. The cancellation of Norgesskolen 2020 led to a significant revenue loss during the first half of the year. The annual result for 2020 was NOK -500,029, and the organization’s equity amounted to NOK 2,957,737 per 12.31.20. The new board has taken several steps to balance the budget for 2021. The administration has been heavily downsized, and contracts have been renegotiated. The search for sponsorship funds has been intensified. The board and the administration carved out a new strategy for NORAM in the autumn of 2020, with sustainability as a chief prerequisite. The financing of NORAM NWW and NORAM were granted NOK 900,000 over the Norwegian state budget for 2020. The grant is earmarked for “transatlantic cooperation.” The Association itself puts significant effort into financing the business. Each year the Association raises around NOK 900,000–1,000,000 in donations from private individuals, companies, and foundations in Norway and the USA. The Association also raises funds for Norgesskolen. These critical contributions from the Association’s supporters enable NORAM to reach out to students and pupils in Norway and North America with updated information about study opportunities and offer funding through many scholarship programs for bachelor, master, and Ph.D. studies as well as for research stays. The annual accounts have been submitted on the assumption of continued operations. There have been no circumstances of material significance to the results after the end of the financial year. NORAM has an excellent working environment and little absence due to illness. The Association’s activities do not have significant environmental impacts. NORAM strives for equality between the sexes, both with regards to employment and in other affairs. In 2020, four women were employed by the Association, and two out of eight board members are women. NORAM had nine professional consultants and seven members of the scholarship committee in 2020 who served as volunteers. The Norway-America Association/NORAM is headquartered in Rådhusgaten 23B in Oslo. Oslo, April 1, 2021

Peder Chr. Løvenskiold Chair Helmer Aslaksen

Håvard Sandvik

Ingrid Margrete Hillestad

Eirik Løkke

Ingrid Helsingen Warner

Dag Ådne Tørvold

Hanne K. Aaberg Executive Director

Financial statement 2020 Norge-Amerika Stiftelsen Org. nr.: NO 977 130 972

The Norway-America Association Org. nr.: NO 939 616 233 In NOK

2020

In NOK

2020

2019

Statement of financial position

Income Membership

108 342

Financial return of investments

3 062 839

3 898 949