The Norwegian Safety Forum, established in 1985, is designed to give information on all aspects of injuries and safety measures, and to promote cooperation between different sectors of society. It is a well established meeting place, with 80 membership organizations and stakeholders with a wide range of experience in the field of injury prevention and safety promotion. The Forum is supported by Norwegian Ministry of Health and Finance Norway.
Aim
The forum encourages intersectoral cooperation and supports the idea of multi disciplinary safety promotion-programs on all levels of society. The activities are based on a lifespan perspective. We believe everyone is entitled to a safe life in all periods of life. The Forum also focuses on the need of sound databases and updated statistics to document frequency and causes of injuries.
Methods and activities
The Forum functions as a bridge builder and knowledge broker between different sectors of society, between researchers and practitioners, local actors and central institutions. Networking - connecting - linking and involving are keywords for the activities. The Forum has established four council groups focusing on different themes and target groups: prevention of drowning, children’s safety, senior safety and Safe Communities. All groups have dedicated members and International networks and contacts. The Norwegian Safety Forum also functions as a designated Affiliated Safe Community Support Center and is the focal point for the national movement “Trygge lokalsamfunn” (Safe Communities in Norwegian).
The Forum arranges 10 – 15 meetings and seminars annually, inviting representatives from different sectors of society. The main purpose of these meetings is to share knowledge, motivate further research and best practices, to exchange experiences and information, to discuss special issues and to identify areas and activities in need.
A National Safe Community Network in Norway
The National Safe Community network in Norway is open for all municipalities that take interest in focusing on safety promotion and injury prevention. We have 20 designated communities, and a few more in the pipeline. Some Norwegian communities prefer to have a national designation. These communities are full members of the National Norwegian Council of designated communities – but are not part of the International Network.
The Norwegian network meets two to three times a year for a professional updates and to exchange experiences and ideas. One or two themes are highlighted on each meeting - for example fall prevention, planning for safe traffic solutions around schools and drinking and drug use as a cause of incidents. There are also regular regional meetings in some parts of the country. Participating municipalities write a short annual report which is published, in Norwegian, on our website.
The Safe Community work in Norway is recognized by the government. The Norwegian Safety Forum is invited to take part in forming national policies and to give advice on new laws and regulations concerning safety procedures. Learn more about the
Norwegian Safety Forum.
Many people and organizations worldwide already invest energy and resources into the goals of safe communities. The concept of a Safe Community recognizes that no single approach to injury prevention and safety promotion can be as effective as collaboration among community organizations and community members. The concept of a Safe Community recognizes that the leading role is played by the community itself, an entity that is larger than any of its parts.
Communities that can document a systematic approach to defining local injury prevention and safety issues, a collaborative process to address them, and a commitment to evaluate the effectiveness of their efforts are eligible to be designated as a Safe Community by the World Health Organization’s Collaborating Centre on Community Safety Promotion.
In addition to the established international network of Safe Communities, regional networks facilitate further collaboration and cooperation among the Safe Communities members within their regions. The Pan-Pacific Safe Community Network (PPSCN) functions as a distinct body within the International Safe Communities movement, addressing the unique needs and issues of its members while furthering the network’s cooperation at the international level. Membership is comprised of communities from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States.
The PPSCN was created in 2011 under the direction of the Coordinating Committee. Its current membership includes over 100 communities, in addition to Affiliate and Certifying Centers. For more information, visit ppscn.org regarding its mission, members, resources and other issues of interest.
Members of the PPSCN
Australian Safe Communities Foundation
National Safety Council / Safe Communities America
Safe Communities Canada
Safe Communities Foundation New Zealand