Conference Chair’s Welcome
Dear Colleagues and Friends,
It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the 37th FIRST Annual Conference in beautiful Copenhagen, Denmark!
More than 200 years ago, Copenhagen was known in Norway as “the city of the King.” At that time, Norway was under Danish rule — alongside Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland — and all major decisions affecting Norwegians were made in a city few had ever seen. In 1814, following Denmark-Norway's defeat in the Napoleonic Wars, the Danish king was forced to cede Norway to Sweden. Though Norway attempted to resist, it could not overcome Sweden’s military power at the time. However, Norway was granted its own constitution and parliament, and in 1905, finally achieved full independence.
1814 marked the last time the Scandinavian countries went to war with each other. Our rivalries today are friendlier — mainly found on sports fields, the Eurovision song contest and through jokes. The cooperation among the Nordic countries remains strong, and in January 2025, the Prime Ministers of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, together with the President of Finland, gathered at the prime minister of Denmark's home for dinner to discuss the geopolitical climate — and simply to enjoy each other’s company.
In today’s world, this kind of regional friendship and collaboration stands out. The smaller countries around the Baltic Sea and the island states west of Norway rely on strong cooperation in formal international arenas. But beyond diplomacy, what gives these meetings power is that the leaders know and trust each other personally.
This is the essence of what we strive to achieve through FIRST and the Annual Conference as well. We want you to meet old and new friends. To learn from one another. To build the kind of relationships that allow you to reach out when you’re facing a situation you can’t solve alone.
So: Be Curious. Reach out to someone new. Share your stories. Be respectful. And most importantly — have fun!
þann er þú vel trúir,
ok vill þú af hánum gótt geta,
geði skaltu við þann blanda
ok gjöfum skipta, fara at finna oft.
whom you trust well,
and you want to make the best of him,
you should mingle minds with him
and exchange gifts go and visit him often.
Håvamål, Life Advice from the Viking Era
Mona Ostvang Conference Chair for the 37th Annual FIRST Conference, Board of Directors