The People’s Meeting

The People’s Meeting will be held at the Nordic House June 11th – 13th 2015.

The People’s Meeting is a vibrant three days festival on society and community, where people meet and discuss matters important to all of us. We will pitch tents in a camp where many different organizations invite to activities. We will experience spirited discussions, music and events. You can buy both food and drinks on the site, and there are ample parking spaces.

The Festival is inspired by other similar festivals held at the other Nordic countries and will span 3 days. At the festival guests will be able to participate in seminars about current issues such as the war in Syria, new ways of measure prosperity, human rights, tourism in Iceland, the Icelandic nature and the interior of Iceland and much more.

In between panel discussions the cream of Icelandic musicians will entertain.

Thursday June 11

12:00-13:00
Lúðrasveit verkalýðsins marching band plays welcoming the guests. Minister of Social Affairs Ms. Eygló Harðardóttir addresses the assembly. Mr. Mikkel Harder, director for the Nordic House, gives a welcoming speech and musician KK performs. The presenter is Mr. Gunnar Sigurðarson.
Outdoor area

12:30
“Beautiful cars after the war.” The Danish author Mr. Lars Frost reads from his novel “Beautiful cars after the war“, which takes place in Iceland.
The Nordic Tent

13:00-14:00
How can cities promote peace? Höfði – The Reykjavik Peace Centre arranges a panel debate. The Peace Centre is a collaboration project by Reykjavik municipality and The Institute of International Affairs at The University of Iceland. Opening address: Ms. Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir, specialist in innovation and conflicts. Panel: MP Einar K. Guðfinnsson, the speaker of Althing, MP Óttarr Proppé, Björt framtíð (Bright Future), Ms. Sigríður Björg Guðjónsdóttir, chief of police in Greater Reykjavik Area, Mr. Þórir Guðmundsson, division manager for relief and humanitarian work, The Red Cross of Iceland, Ms. Auður Lilja Erlingsdóttir, chairman for Samtök hernaðarandstæðinga (Civilians against Warfare), and Helga Þórey Björnsdóttir, anthropologist and adjunct in Iceland Uni.
Auditorium

14:00-16:00
The war in Syria. UNICEF arranges a seminar on the situation in Syria. Ms. Steinunn Björgvinsdóttir gives a lecture on the fugitives’ condition and how fighting and being a fugitive affects the children.
Ms. Steinunn Björgvinsdóttir worked for many years for UNICEF in Jordan and was the director of the country’s child protection program. She presently works for the International Medical Corps in close co-operation with UNICEF on location, for instance in the Za‘atari and Asraq fugitive camps in Jordan. She is still involved in child protection, now by training social workers involved in child protection. Auditorium

14:30-15:30
The Pirate School.
The Greenhouse

15:30-17:00
Creative Industries and/or Art? Artists and politicians disagree on how to approach the economic effects of the creative industries, and whether the mystic part of the arts disappears when economics overshadow the presentation and administration of art and culture. They disagree on definitions; what do you really mean by talking like politicians often do about “skapandi greinar / creative industries“. English and Scandinavian.
The Basement

15:30-16:00
Soffía Björg. Music.
Outdoor area

16:00-17:00
DALÍ. Music.
Outdoor area

16:00-17:00
Syrian food for fugitives. Mr. Jamil Kouwatli, a fugitive from Syria will, in collaboration with chef Sveinn Kjartansson at the Aalto Bistro in the Nordic House, offer food from Syria in connection with the seminar on the war in Syria. Every patron pays for one “extra meal” for fugitives in Syria. All proceeds go to support the emergency work of UNICEF for children in Syria and its neighbour countries.
Outdoor area

16:00-17:00
Bridging the generation gap. Ung vinstri græn and Eldri vinstri græn (Left Green Youth & Left Green Seniors) discuss the situation in environmental protection and environmental affairs.
Auditorium

16:00-17:00
Opening of the Political Camp.
The Political Camp

17:00-18:00
New criteria on the prosperity of nations. Dr. Kristín Vala Ragnarsdóttir, MP Róbert Marshall, and economist Sigurður Jóhannesson reflect upon the question if using economic indicators is obsolete, and whether new indicators wouldn’t describe people’s quality of life in a better way than the GNP. Auditorium

17:00
Welfare protection in a box. The ALS/MND society points out, that people with disabilities have individual needs and therefore a user-controlled personal assistance is an important factor in their independent private lives. Representatives for the ASL/MND Society are moderators.
Outdoor area

17:00-18:00
What is the political movement Alþýðufylkingin? Visitors are presented for Alþýðufylkingin (The People’s Front) and the party’s platform.
The Basement

18:00-20:00
Approved or not approved. W.O.M.E.N. in Iceland invite to a seminar with the topic of recognition of the education of immigrants not acquired in Iceland. The association present themselves in a stall on site. The Basement

18:00-19:00
Bubble Ball. Politicians and representatives of the media compete.
Outdoor area

19:00-22:00
The youth organizations of the political parties invite to an open house.
The Political Camp

20:00-21:30
PAY THE ARTIST! SÍM – The Association of Icelandic Artists, are preparing their campaign, PAY THE ARTIST. The leaders of SIM invite representatives from art galleries, publishing houses, and the Ministry of Education to a fruitful discussion
Auditorium

20:00-21:00
Spottarnir. Music.
The Greenhouse

20:15-21:30
The people’s Quiz. An easy and fun-filled quiz show with focus on what is happening at The People’s Meeting.
The Basement

Friday June 12

09:00-10:00
Stand up for truth. Mr. Kristinn Hrafnsson and Mr. Norman Solomon discuss whistle-blowing and its importance. Mr. Solomon is an American journalist covering whistle-blowing and warfare all over the world.
Auditorium

09:00-12:00
Senior citizens invite you to have coffee and crullers.
The Political Camp

11:00-12:00
Environment and society. Discussions on the human effect on earth, the climate and natural resources. Moderator: Author Andri Snær Magnason.
Auditorium

11:00-12:30
The changing form of information. Administrative scientist Mr. Haukur Arnþórsson discusses the changing form of information from printed matter to digital presentation, the role of the state, and what characterises the information society of the future.
Mr. Halldór Auðar Svansson discusses the information policy of Reykjavik municipality.
The Basement

12:00-13:00
Protection of the Central Highlands. The conclusions from the seminar on the Protection on the Central Highlands from April 16 will be presented, as well as a lecture on activism.
Auditorium

12:00-15:00
Elected representatives invite guests.
The Political Camp

13:10-13:30
Nominations announced Nominations for The Nordic Counsel’s Nature & Environmental Price 2015. Ms. Sóley Tómasdóttir, speaker of the Reykjavik City Counsel explains why Reykjavik municipality received the price in 2014.
Outdoor area

13:00-14:00
No hate – responsible words. • Representatives for Heimili og skóli, National Parent´s Association in Iceland, invite to a debate on how best to encourage a more open and better society, what hate speech doesn‘t thrive.
Auditorium

13:00-14:00
Why does the mother tongue matter? • The importance of recognizing the mother tongue of children of other ethnicity than Icelandic.
The Meeting Room

14:00-15:00
The obligations of media during an election campaign. The media committee arranges this seminar with the following participants Ms. Katrín Jakobsdóttir, MP and former minister of education, Mr. Finnur Beck, chairman of the committee of minister of education and culture on the access of politicians and candidates to the media before elections, with recommendations delivered in 2013, Mr. Heiðar Örn Sigurfinnsson, journalist with the Icelandic State Broadcasting (RÚV), and Ms. Heiðdís Lilja Magnúsdóttir, the lawyer of the media committee. Ms. Arna Schram, a member of the media committee will be moderator.
Auditorium

14:00-15:00
Svavar Knútur. Music.
Outdoor area

14:00-15:00
The bosom friend. Ms. Ilmur Kristjánsdóttir, a member of Reykjavik City Counsel for Björt framtíð, becomes the talkative bosom friend of the participants on welfare issues.
The Basement

14:00-17:00
Everything you always wanted to know about the EU, but were afraid to ask. • A concise course on the EU, in two parts: History and organization/policy and role. The teachers are: Dr. Eiríkur Bergmann and docent Magnús Árni Skjöld Magnússon.
The Meeting Room

14:30-15:30
The Pirate School.
The Greenhouse

14:30-15:00
A date with the MPs of VG. • Check out The Left Green (Vinstri græn) and blaze away with all your questions.
The Basement

15:00-18:00
Elected municipal council members invite guests.
The Political Camp

15:00-17:00
The importance of NGOs. The importance of NGOs in the social discourse and as means of pressure. Auditorium

15:30-17:00
New books on Icelandic affairs. A discussion on new Icelandic books on social issues. We interview: Mr. Björn Þorláksson (Mannorðsmorðingjar?), Mr. Eggert Skúlason (Andersenskjölin) and Mr. Héðinn Unnsteinsson (Vertu úlfur). Moderator: Mr. Helgi Seljan from Icelandic State Broadcasting (RÚV).
The Basement

16:00
The values in Nature – Respect and kindliness. Mr. Gunnar Hersveinn.
The Nordic Tent

16:30
The Nordic language comprehension – does it matter? Ms. Björg Eva Erlendsdóttir, chairman of The Norden Association in Reykjavik.
The Nordic Tent

17:00-18:00
Youth and the Northern regions. Young people discuss the importance of the Northern regions, both politically and environmentally.
The Basement

17:00-18:00
A century of Women’s suffrage in Iceland and Denmark. With:
Dr. Auður Styrkársdóttir, director for Women’s History Archives, and authors Ms. Leonora Christina Skov and Ms. Gerður Kristný.
Moderator: Ms. Charlotte Bøving, actress and director.
Auditorium

18:00-19:00
The rally songs! Members of The Left Green sing political & rally songs! Everybody is invited.
The Basement

18:00-20:00
Women celebrate a century of Women’s suffrage.
The Political Camp

19:00-21:00
Disco-soup. The youth groups of Slow Food and Vinstri græn (The Left Green) arrange disco-soup, a vibrant event where people gather to make meals out of raw materials that otherwise would be discarded, as well as listening to good music.
Outdoor area

20:00-21:00
The political youth groups arrange an open house.
The Political Camp

20:00-22:00
On Nordic notes, folk songs and a stand-up comic. Mr. Aðalsteinn Ásberg and Ms. Ása Aðalsteinsdóttir sing Nordic folk songs. Mr. Snorri Helgason and Ms. Saga Garðarsdóttir sing popular Nordic songs. Mr. Ari Eldjárn proves himself as an Inter-Nordic stand-up comedian.
The Nordic Tent

20:30-22:30
The documentary Blueberry Soup.
The Constitutional Society and The Pirate Party together arrange screening of the documentary Blueberry Soup that was filmed here in Iceland. The film is in English, without subtitles.
The screening is immediately followed by a discussion on the film with the director, Ms. Eileen Jerrett. Mr. Andri Snær Magnason, Ms. Katrín Oddsdóttir, MP Jón Þór Ólafsson and musician Svavar Knútur also participate in the discussion.
Auditorium

21:00-22:00
3 basískar – Music
Outdoor area

21:30-22:00
Love and the rental market. Ms. Ugla Egilsdóttir and Ms. Saga Garðarsdóttir invite an interesting guest to discuss what is happening in politics here and now.
The Basement

Saturday June 13

10:00-11:00
A trip through tourism services. The Icelandic Tourism Research Centre arranges a seminar, where participants are invited on a trip through the Icelandic Tourism Services, now at important crossroads. Auditorium

10:00-12:00
Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn (The Independence Party) invites everybody to a discussion.
The Basement

10:00-12:00
Senior citizens invite you to have coffee and crullers.
The Political Camp

11:00-12:00
The nobility and the people – a discourse on a new social contract. A lecture by Dr. Antoni Abat Ninet, a specialist in constitutional law at the University of Copenhagen. Icelandic scholars discuss with the lecturer, as well as answering questions from the public. In English.
Auditorium

12:00-13:00
Matti Kallio. Music.
Outdoor area

12:00-13:30
The visions of the leaders of the Icelandic political parties in Althing. The leaders of all the Icelandic political parties in Althing discuss Iceland’s present and future.
Auditorium

13:00-15:00
A Nordic Culture presentation. Representatives from all the Nordic countries tell about their lives and bring personal objects to show-and-tell.
The Nordic Tent

13:00-13:30
Teitur Magnússon. Music.
Outdoor area

13:30-14:00
The discussion programme. Ms. Heiða Kristín Helgadóttir, host of Umræðan talk show on Channel 2 invites guests to discuss the newly finished meeting of Iceland’s political leaders.
The Library

13:30-15:30
Sidmennt Seminar and discussions with Mr. Jóhann Björnsson.
The Meeting Room

13:45-14:30
Civil Wages. Ms. Halldóra Mogensen, substitute MP for the Pirate Party, discusses civil wages (essentials of living).
The Basement

13:30-14:30
Trio Nord. Music.
The Greenhouse

14:00-16:00
How has the interaction between the trade union movement and politics changed lately? The Icelandic Confederation of Labour (ASÍ) arranges a seminar with lectures concerning the world of politics, the labour movement, and the academic community. Then the lecturers participate in a panel discussion on the issues.
Auditorium

14:00-15:00
The chairmen of the political parties invite guests.
The Political Camp

14:30-15:30
The Pirate School.
The Greenhouse

15:00-16:00
The consumer’s responsibility in environment protection. Ms. Margrét Marteinsdóttir discusses the consumer’s responsibility in environment protection.
The Basement

15:00
A performance at the memorial site for the victims of Utøya. Mr. Þorvaldur S. Þorvaldsson, Mr. Bogi Ágústsson, and Ms. Una Hildardóttir.
The Nordic Tent

16:00-16:45
A guided tour through the bird sanctuary. Fuglavernd (BirdLife Iceland) invites you to an easy walk through the bird sanctuary in Vatnsmýri.
Outdoor area

16:00-17:00
Members of Althing invite guests.
The Political Camp

16:00-17:00
Alþýðufylkingin teaches rally songs.
Outdoor area

16:15-17:00
Why we are the Pirate Party, and where do we originate? Ms. Birgitta Jónsdóttir discusses the history of The Pirate Party.
Auditorium

17:00-18:00
Closing ceremony.
Outdoor area