His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway launched the yearly SIKT Conference in Norway yesterday.
The conference started with a breakfast at the Nutrition Association in Stavanger where His Royal Highness met with 45 young leaders from the Stavanger region. Participants at the breakfast meeting were divided into groups and discussed where they could make a difference and create a positive change in the area.
His Royal Highness during the breakfast on Monday. Photo: Pål Bentdal / SIKT-conference.
His Royal Highness said: “The young forces are important for the next chapter for this region. It has been exciting to join the discussions around the table. Stavanger is a dynamic region. Here is a lot going on. You have quite a lot of confidence that this is where it happens. It is good. There is much to be built on for the next chapter. Nice to see that you also have the ability to think about balance. It is important for young people to gain access, but we also need the knowledge that they have with more experience.”
The Norwegian Society of Industry in the Stavanger region also organised a meeting the Crown Prince attended. The association has 28 resource groups and two groups that gather the younger members. The Crown Prince also participated in a business lunch together with local authorities, collaborators of SIKT and local business community.
The 200 participants in the conference are aged 20 to 40 and come from all over Norway. They represent business, public sector, culture, sports, the media and academia.
His Royal Highness was greeted by the local authorities. Photo: Pål Bentdal / SIKT-conference.
The conference began Monday afternoon with community gathering and dinner. Tuesday is the official opening of the University of Stavanger with the Crown Prince, Mayor Christine Sagen Helgø and Rector Marit Boyesen.
In June, more than 500 former participants were invited to the SIKT five-year celebrations at the Royal Palace in Oslo on the special invitation of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Queen Sonja were present during the celebrations. SIKT was started in 2013 and has since been held annually – every year in a new place and with a central theme.
