Tekna is a partner for the 3rd year in a row

Why did you choose to become a partner in Kongsberg Agenda?

- This is the third year in a row that Tekna has participated as a partner at Kongsberg Agenda. Tekna is the trade union for over 111,000 natural scientists, technologists and students. For us, this is an important arena to be present in. Our members are concerned with technology, industry, expertise and how we must work together to succeed in a green and digital transition. It is therefore important to support meeting places that bring together relevant communities of organizations, politicians and business, where the importance of future-oriented technology can be raised on the agenda.

- If we are to succeed with the challenges we as a society face, both in terms of the lack of expertise within the natural sciences in particular and not least the transition we are now facing with the green and digital shift, it is important to have such arenas that bring together both organizations, business and decision-makers to discuss and highlight different points of view. For us, the local aspect is also important and creating arenas like this outside the Oslo area. Tekna has over 32 local branches around Norway, including a local branch in Kongsberg.

What do you expect to get out of the technology festival?

- Next year we will use the arena to address and shed light on important societal issues when it comes to technology, preparedness and competence. It is also important for us to use Kongsberg Agenda as a social meeting place for our members and others, which is why we are planning a number of social events. Last year we had great success with both our panel debate on "Social Security in Uncertain Times" and "Ask me anything about technology", with Sunniva Rose and Sophia Adampour. In addition, this year we will also be presenting our popular coffee cart where our skilled barista will prepare everything for the good coffee conversations.

What value does a partnership with the technology festival Kongsberg Agenda, Tekna, provide?

- Such a large arena that brings together important partners for Tekna, professionals, politicians and, not least, our members, provides great value. Visibility for our political and professional areas of focus – and the opportunity to reach out broadly among both members – and non-members is important to us.