Debating Europe’s future in Oslo

I debated Europe’s future at a breakfast event in Oslo organised by Civita, a liberal think-tank, on 12 May with Harald Magnus Andreassen, chief Economist at Swedbank Norway, and Jan Erik Grindheim, president of the European Movement Norway. Watch the video here

Freedom of movement is a human right

Last Friday, 16 May, I was a keynote speaker at the 1st European Hospitality Tribunal in Stavanger, organised by the International Cities of Refuge Network, ICORN, an association of cities
and regions around the world dedicated to the value of freedom of expression. My speech about freedom of movement and how to build a coalition for change was reported in the Stavanger Aftenbladet.

It was a really stimulating event, with Canadian writer John Raulston Saul making the opening address and performances from Actors for Human Rights. Their new play, Asylum Dialogues, will be launched in Britain during Refugee Week, June 16-22. Click for details here.

Presenting my ideas to Norway’s labour minister

Legrain_civitaI presented my ideas on immigration to Norway’s minister of labour and
social inclusion, Bjarne Håkon Hanssen (far right in picture, a social
democrat politically), at a seminar in Oslo this week organised by Civita. He is preparing (hopefully progressive) immigration reforms.

Speaking in Oslo

I spoke at a breakfast meeting in Oslo this morning organised by a Norwegian think-tank called Civita, along with Per-Willy Amundsen of the anti-immigration Progress party and Olaf Thommessen of the Liberal party. I got a fantastic reception. Thanks