NorSec 2024

YATA Norway is pleased to announce our 19th annual Nordic Security Conference!

The conference will be held from April 5th-7th 2024 in Oslo.

This year, the topic is «The Future of Defense».

We are honored to host the 19th annual Nordic Security Conference. Against the backdrop of an increasingly unpredictable global security landscape, YATA Norway extends a warm invitation to young individuals from around the world to join us for two days of insightful discussions and knowledge-sharing on the challenges and opportunities confronting the defense sector today and in the foreseeable future.

The conference will be divided into three sessions, each delving into significant areas within this overarching theme. The first session will center around technology, emphasizing both the advancements in new technologies and the integration of existing technologies into the defense sector. The second session will focus on nuclear capabilities and the regulations surrounding both conventional and emerging weapons systems through a historical perspective as well as future-oriented analyses. The third session will explore the interconnectedness of climate change and security, delving into the various aspects and perspectives on how climate change will shape the future of defense.

We are confident that this year’s NorSec will continue to provide a platform for fruitful exchanges and dialogues between students, cadets and young professionals, enabling all attendees to deepen their understanding of the pressing issues facing the defense sector. The conference also provides a great platform to meet and interact with like-minded, young people from across the globe. We strongly encourage everyone with a genuine interest in security and foreign policy issues to attend. The conference will be held physically in Oslo, however there will be updates available on our social media.The application is now closed.

For further questions, please contact norsec@yata.no. For updates, visit our website or Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/yatanorway

About the speakers

Kate Hansen Bundt

Kate Hansen Bundt serves as the Secretary General of the Norwegian Atlantic Committee since 2010 and will be opening the conference. Read more…

Lieutenant General Ingrid Margrethe Gjerde

Lieutenant General Ingrid Margrethe Gjerde is the Chief of the Norwegian Defense Staff and will be opening day two of the conference. Read more…

Espen Barth Eide

Espen Barth Eide is currently serving as Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and is a member of the Norwegian Labour Party. Read more…

Marie Lamo Vikanes

Marie Lamo Vikanes is currently serving as the State Secretary for the Minister of Defense, Bjørn Arild Gram. Read more…

Tonje Nanette Arnesen

Tonje Nanette Arnesen is a research fellow at the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI). Read more…

Martin Strand

Martin Strand is a research fellow at the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI). Read more…

Lene Kristin Grimstad

Lene Kristin Grimstad is an Assistant Professor at Oslo Nye Høyskole managing the majors peace and conflict studies and international studies. Read more…

Steinar Thomsen

Steinar Thomsen is the Deputy Director General of the Norwegian Space Agency (NRS), PNT, SatCom and security. He will be speaking in session one. Read more…

Ingrid Kongshaug Johannesen

Ingrid Kongshaug Johannesen is the Vice President of YATA Oslo and is currently finishing her master’s degree in political science at the University of Oslo. Read more…

Guri Melby

Guri Melby is the leader of the Liberal Party and serves as a Member of Parliament for Oslo (2021-2025). She will be opening the second session of the conference. Read more…

Adelina Trolle Andersen

Adelina Trolle Andersen is a Ph.D. candidate at the Institute for Defence Studies, focusing on nuclear policy and arms control. Read more…

Magnus Håkenstad

Magnus Håkenstad is a research fellow at the Institute for Defence Studies (IFS). He will be speaking in session two. Read more…

Johanne Akerø

Johanne Akerø is a former board member of YATA Norway and currently works as a Political scientist and advisor at Sannum & Bergestuen. Read more…

Geir Arild Engh-Hellesvik

Geir Arild Engh-Hellesvik is the Department Director at the Norwegian National Security Authority (NSM), leading the division for defense against advanced digital threats. Read more…

Andreas Østhagen

Andreas Østhagen is a Senior Research fellow at the Fridtjof Nansen Institute and focuses on the political dynamics of the Arctic and Northern regions. Read more…

Kristian Lausund

Kristian Lausund is a Research Fellow at the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment. Prior to this Kristian has held many research positions at UiO. Read more…

Benedicte Røvik

Benedicte Røvik is the President of YATA Norway and will welcome everyone to the conference as well as take part in session four representing the Norwegian Perspective. Read more…

Katarina Hodal

Katarina Hodal is one of the NorSec Project Coordinators for this year’s Conference and is currently completing a master’s in political science at the University of Oslo. Read more…

Birger Lausund

Birger Lausund is an EU Public Affairs consultant at Kreab Brussels and International Coordinator for YATA NorwayRead more…