Values and co-operation

Kristiansand City Council is working together with local businesses, University College Agder and the cultural foundation, Stiftelsen Cultiva on a declaration of values to achieve increased awareness, knowledge and pride about Kristiansand.

In September 2005 the City Council passed the Council Plan 2005-2016 called "We believe in opportunities". This vision is closely related to the project approved by the local politicians in spring 2004, namely: Profiling 2004 - "Kristiansand - a town that gives more opportunities for a better quality of life".

Anne Karen Aunevik, advisor on the Chief Executive's staff, is the council's representative on the working party tasked with finding ways for municipal and private participants to cooperate in highlighting the city of Kristiansand's advantages and for attracting new workers. The vision is completely integrated into the Council Plan. As a result our redesigned webpage with a more vibrant profile has been made - she says. - Also, the Profiling 2004 Project revealed that Kristiansand's advantages and distinctive features can be summarized in the following terms:; wonderful, innovative, flourishing and accessible. The process of the council is reaching these conclusions, contributed to strengthening Kristiansand's position as "a town that gives more opportunities for a better quality of life."

Why is it important to be aware of which values we wish to present? The council has the responsibility for building society and this is about the city's foundation for existence. The fight to attract job area is very competitive.

Many cities are aware of the importance of advertising their advantages for establishing firms in their areas. It would be very unwise of us if we failed to give information about what we have to offer. In addition, increased knowledge of the city's advantages and possibilities has boosted the well-being of the city's population - Anne Karin Aunevik explains.

The working party is composed of the Market Secretary, Kathrine Bjerke, Chair of the local Chamber of Commerce, Communications Advisor, Bjarne Sverkeli from Cultiva, Senior Advisor Helge Mall from Agder University College, the Chairwoman Ingebjeirg Sveen Brunborg from Serlandet's European office and Advisor Anne Aunevik from Kristiansand City Council. Initially the group will produce a seminar that can form the basis, and contribute to, a future cooperation project. These tasks include clarifying which partners will be involved. More information about the seminar is available in Norwegian on www.byprofil.no. At the same time, the council will carry out an internal survey of the work on profiling, communication and developing the vision that is already completed by sections and units.