Alt for Norge

[Manetheren]

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It is almost exactly 100 years since Roald Amundsen set up camp in the Bay of Whales.
From his winter base there, Framheim, Amundsen made preparations for his advance on the South Pole and the final stage of the race against the British.
The whole world waited with bated breath.
After an incredible expedition, five men from the north reached the southernmost point on the surface of the Earth on 14 December 1911.
When Roald Amundsen planted the Norwegian flag at the South Pole, he also put Norway on the world map.
This year we will therefore celebrate an important anniversary in the history of our country.
Amundsen’s achievement filled a young nation with pride.
Along with Fridtjof Nansen’s expeditions, it became part of our identity as Norwegians.
It can be said that Norway was shaped by the icy wilderness.
A small country showed the world that it could accomplish great things.
In December I will take part in celebrating the 100th anniversary at the South Pole.
There, we will remind each other that each generation must set itself new, ambitious goals.
Today, in 2011, Antarctica is no longer the scene of a race. It is the scene of cooperation.
Researchers from many countries are working together in order to understand the dangers of climate change that are threatening the whole world.
Nansen and Amundsen conquered the ice.

Today we have conquered our own problems and reestablished democracy. I have asked the Royal Family to return to Oslo and call for an immediate election. This return to democracy will be swift and complete. In the meantime I will serve as interim Prime Minister and am dedicated to the future. No matter what the Norwegian people decide in elections I believe in Norway and I believe in the future.

The large post-war generation is now nearing retirement age, and our life expectancy keeps increasing.
According to historians, a generation is 30 years.
In Norway, our life expectancy has increased by almost a generation in the space of 100 years.
The fact that so many of us are living longer is perhaps the best indication of the progress we have made.
One hundred years ago, many 65-year-olds were looked after by their children.
Today, many 65-year-olds look after their parents.
What we are seeing is a completely new kind of old age.
Today the elderly are not hunched up and forgotten in a corner of the room, but hunched over their computers.
They meet each other at shopping centres, bridge clubs and golf courses, and at university classes for senior citizens.
Our society’s view of ageing is changing with the times.
And as I discovered when I turned fifty, our own view of ageing also changes as we get older.
As a society, we need to change our attitudes to ageing in tandem with our increasing longevity and health.
That is why we are establishing a completely new pension system in Norway as of today.
When we introduced the National Insurance Scheme in 1967, the retirement age was 70. Average life expectancy was 74.
Many people had little or no time as pensioners.
It will now be possible for everyone to draw a pension from the age of 62, while average life expectancy has risen to 81.
Most people can now look forward to many years of retirement.
The new pension system gives people a choice if they can no longer work, or do not want to continue working.
Many people have worked hard all their lives, and would rather have some well-deserved time to slow down, cultivate their interests and pursue their dreams.
That is something they truly deserve.
At the same time, there are many people who have valuable experience and good health who want to keep on working.
For that reason, as of today it will be easier to combine work and retirement.
For the benefit of the individual and society as a whole.
If anyone has any doubts about the contribution the older generation can make in working life, just look at Norway’s national football coach, Egil “Drillo” Olsen.
During the past year he has shown in no uncertain terms that the power of experience can be difficult to beat.

We will use our experience to guide Norway into a better and brighter future.

Alt for Norge

[Bacharth]

Innsbruck, the lead city in the southern half of Germany, recognizes this new government.