Apart from a number of differences between the countries in the Nordic region as regards the structure and policies of their labour markets generally, there is a core of common types of employment, standards and values which together define the nature of working life and labour market policy in the Nordic countries so that one can speak of a “Nordic model”, which in fundamental areas is distinct from conditions in the labour market in most other countries – both in Europe and the rest of the world.

The challenges and the opportunities for identifying new ideas that could strengthen co-operation in the Nordic region in the field of working life can be divided into four categories:

• Substantive, common Nordic topics

• Institutional topics in Nordic co-operation

• The Nordic labour market and the EU

• The Nordic region in the world.