The welfare state in a Nordic perspective is the main theme of the Programme for the Norwegian Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers 2012. The Presidency will address the various challenges faced by the Nordic welfare states, and how we can meet them by looking at the structure of the welfare state and identifying ways in which the public sector can operate more efficiently. This will also include looking at co-operation between the public sector and both sides of the labour market, as well as at broader co-operation with, e.g. voluntary sector organisations,
in order to promote widely acceptable joint solutions to the challenges faced."