Titled “New Nordic Art”, the Vernissage and Art Exhibition recognizes immigrant artists residing in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark. It features the work of individuals who have moved to the Nordics from other countries, the exhibition will, through their paintings, photographs and sculptures, present a new and emerging Nordic identity. With this exhibition, Leadership Foundation strives to contribute to the understanding and appreciation of immigrant art, stimulating dialog and reflection within different cultural perspectives in the artistic world and our society today.

Supported by an opening reception event, or “Vernissage”,and debate led by Malika Makouf Rasmussen (week 9)  on "How and What does New Nordic art contribute to the general culture debate ", the exhibition will promote and profile these featured artists as well as make their work available for sale to a large, prominent public.

The Diversity Monitoring service will uncover knowledge and create awareness of existing journalistic standards in Norway with regard to immigrants and other minority groups. This will thereby provide a unique factual base from which to improve these journalistic standards as well as the representation and portrayal of immigrants in the Norwegian media.

Here is an article that she has written on "The Value of Diversity":

"As we at Leadership Foundation have stated, diversity includes a wide variety of qualities that are different from an individual or a group but are expressed in other or a group of others. We have defined what this means in the context of the workplace and then in the larger society, but WHY must we discuss this issue? Why is diversity relevant and how is it valuable to every individual, group, and organization within the workplace and society? Creating and living within an environment that is diverse is beneficial to the individual, specifically, and to the dynamics of an organization on the whole. Here’s why:

Lisa Cooper & Dina Johansen at stand at MELA festival

The project is designed to ensure we meet the numbers, 10% of volunteers with immigrant background but also that we ensure that diversity is embraced amongst the entire volunteer corps. Training for the manager and e-learning modules on diversity will be established in addition to a mentor program for new and old volunteers.
The beauty of this project lies in its long-term reach and symbol effect. We will recruit the best and reflect Oslo’s 25% immigrant base and impart key learning on working with and embracing diversity!