Hello to tweeps or twitter or FB followers

After some recent media, I seem to have a large number of followers in the social media world. One of my interests is the role of the Nordic model in shaping our future. I started a real world group called 'Nordic Horizons'

Nordic Horizons is a policy group that aims to find out what makes the most successful small countries in the world work so well. We have round table debates on specific policy areas in the Scottish Parliament usually kicked off by someone from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland or Iceland with direct experience. We've already talked about early years, outdoor kindergarten, women's quotas, small municipal government, the High North and drilling for oil in the Arctic and the "Nordic Model" itself. We hope to confirm a sizzling wee programme for the rest of this year by our next meeting on Feb 7th - McKommunes -- people-sized government for Scotland. Nordic Horizons is a cross party and no party group and the aim is to learn from Nordic success, not blindly copy every aspect of Nordic life. We think Scotland needs more working examples of how small nations can work better - whether devolved or independent - and we hope Scotland can bring something to the party too (and not just a large Macallans).

Check out our Facebook group and join in - all event details are also posted here. and you would be very welcome on 7th if you are in Edinburgh- you need to book a place - but  - be quick - there are just 20 places left!

Comments

[cynicalHighlander]

Your Nordic link is not working.

http://www.lesleyriddoch.co.uk/2011/12/small-nation-culture.html

Enjoyed your contributions on the debate last night in creating a better balance to the discussions.

[Thomas Murray]

Dear Ms Riddoch,

Look, north Scotland. Guardian, 5 December 2011:

"Scotland is the most accessible, second most populous, fertile, ethnically diverse and southern part of the Nordic region."

Just to point out:

The southernmost point of Scotland at approximately ETRS89 54° 37’ 59.49178” N[1] Mean Low Water Springs, is in latitude approximately 5.126 miles or 8.250 kilometres north of the southernmost point of Denmark and Scandinavia / Nordic Countries at approximately ETRS89 54° 33’ 32.7” N[2].
1. From 1:25,000 digital mapping software using Ordnance Survey mapping.
2. Sent to me from the National Survey and Cadastre of Denmark.

The centre of Edinburgh at approximately ETRS89/WGS84 55° 57’ 00” N, is in latitude approximately 18.948 miles or 30.494 kilometres north of the centre of Copenhagen at approximately ETRS89/WGS84 55° 40’ 34” N.

The northernmost point of mainland Scotland at approximately ETRS89 58° 40’ 19.64405” N[1], is in latitude approximately 63.704 miles or 102.522 kilometres north of the northernmost point of Denmark at approximately ETRS89 57° 45’ 6.0” N[2].
1. From 1:25,000 digital mapping software using Ordnance Survey mapping.
2. Sent to me from the National Survey and Cadastre of Denmark.

Furthermore Denmark and Finland have larger populations.

This gives very good idea of the relationship in latitude, showing "Scotland and Scandinavia superimposed":

http://blog.widmann.org.uk/2011/12/07/4761/

Yours sincerely,

Thomas Murray.

[Baylee]

Like the blog, appreciate the share!