People from political parties from many countries will gather at Utøya next week to discuss democratic values and challenges.
The Oslo Center is organizing the conference, along with the Labour Party and the Christian Democrats.
The approximately 80 participants are involved in the further development of political parties and party systems.
Utøya was chosen as the conference venue.
“In addition to the deaths caused by the attack on young political activists, which is one of the worst conceivable things, democracy and political parties as an institution were affected and subsequently put to the test,” said a press release from the Oslo Center.
Researchers, organizations working with democracy support, and donors are also participating.
Five years ago, the AUF summer camp on Utøya was attacked and 69 people were killed. Since then, new buildings have been erected on the island and the memorial ’Improvements’ opened there last summer.
The AUF tradition of summer camps on the island, located in the Tyrifjord and owned by Labour Party’s youth party, carried on.
Around parts of the old cafe building where 13 young people were killed, a building now called the Hegnhuset has been raised. It will be a learning center where the history of July 22 will be told. The house will be ready just before the fifth anniversary this summer.
Utøya’s websites state that increasing numbers of organizations are hosting conferences and events at the site. Utøya is cooperating with Sundvolden Hotel with regards to the visits.
Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today
