Between April 2nd and 6th, SFS's International Committee, represented by Némo and Agnes, took part in the 86th Nordiskt Ordförändømøte (NOM), hosted in Tórshavn, the capital of the Faroe Islands. NOM is the collaborative body for the Nordic and Baltic national student organizations and serves as SFS's primary platform for engagement within the European Students' Union (ESU).
Agnes with the Danish delegation, from the Danish national student organization DSF
The days in Tórshavn were both meaningful and energizing. We connected with fellow national unions across the region, shared reflections on our common challenges, and explored how we can move forward together, both within NOM and in the broader European higher education and political landscape.
This NOM focused on the theme of brain drain, brought forward by our hosts Meginfelag Føroyskra Student, MFS, (the national student union of the Faroe Islands). We discussed how smaller or more remote communities are affected by outmigration, and how higher education policy can either reinforce or counteract that trend. A workshop on distance learning allowed us to exchange experiences around digital education, its potential to improve access, but also its risks in terms of quality, social isolation, and uneven digital infrastructure.
Hearing different perspectives—especially from contexts where distance learning is a lifeline—was eye-opening. We also explored the Erasmus+ program and its political significance for regions developing their higher education systems. The discussions touched not only on technical barriers but also on the strategic importance of being part of European mobility and collaboration frameworks.
Throughout the meeting, we also focused on how we want to shape NOM as a political and strategic network. How can we build stronger coalitions across borders? How do we ensure that NOM remains a relevant and influential actor in European policy processes that affect students? These are questions we'll continue to work on, together.
One of the highlights was meeting with the Mayor of Tórshavn, Elsa Berg, and representatives from the Faroese Ministry of Children and Education. The ministry, established just three years ago, has already made significant strides. It was inspiring to learn how they approach education policy from the unique vantage point of a small but ambitious society—and to exchange experiences from Sweden's political context.
NOM together with Elsa Berg, Mayor of Tórshavn.
Outside the formal program, we had the chance to explore the Faroe Islands and reflect on how geography, history, and politics shape education in different ways. The setting—so different from our usual meeting venues, added depth to our conversations and reminded us why international cooperation matters.
A huge thank you to MFS for hosting NOM86 with such care and intention, and to all NOM unions for the thoughtful and energizing dialogue. We return with new insights, stronger alliances, and a renewed sense of what we can accomplish together – politically and practically.
All participants at NOM86! NOM brings together the national student unions from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands.