Oslo (Norway), 24th March 2025 | Ignasi Grau, Director of OIDEL, and Josyane Zingg, OIDEL’s Advocacy and Training Officer, were invited to the Norwegian Parliament to present the Freedom of Education Index (FEI) and explore ways for the country to fulfill its human rights obligations when it comes to educational pluralism. The discussions focused on ensuring the right to education for all while respecting the convictions, cultures, and religions of all Norwegian citizens, particularly those from minority communities.

Norway finds itself in the top 30 of the FEI, behind neighbors like Finland (6^th) and Danmark (12^th) but before Iceland (31^th) or Sweden (39^th). However, recent changes in the Norwegian Independent Schools Act are making it more difficult for non-governmental schools to be established and maintained, leading the Norwegian education system away from international human rights standards.

In addition to the visit to Oslo, OIDEL has also been engaged in other ways to encourage the Norwegian government to reconsider the changes in the Independent Schools Act, namely through its engagement in the UPR Norway.

More information here :

OIDEL Submits Report to UPR Norway

Big win for Freedom of Education at UPR Norway

and here :

58th Session of the Human Rights Council