Learning Network (in Norwegian: Lærende Nettverk) was incorporated June 10^th 1999 as an independent, public foundation according to Norwegian law for foundations. The foundation is formally established under the name of Stiftelsen Lærende Nettverk when the public authorities have given their approval.

The initiative to establish Learning Network has its background in the research and work carried out by its members, starting in 1995. This effort has mainly concentrated on developing an understanding of the emerging knowledge society and to understand, manage and develop knowledge and organizations.

With substantial contribution from The Norwegian Research Foundation, Semco AS (management consultants) and Norwegian School of Management (Handelshøyskolen BI) among others carried out extensive research on learning organizations. Among other results, this work led to the development of methods for Scenariolearning and a concept for Learning Laboratories. There has also been developed a new approach to learning, and a philosophy of learning that has been named "Naturally". Research funding and the value of investments and voluntary contribution have been estimated to approximately NOK 25 mill since 1995 until the incorporation in 1999.

The method of Scenariolearning utilized the forming of the report on Oil and Energy, conducted for the Department of Oil and Energy presented for the Norwegian Parliament and published in July 1998. This report will serve as a model for a Scenario project on public administration in the year of 2030.

The research on concepts for Learning Laboratories formed a basis for the Learning Network’s Fall Conference 1998 - "The Learning Workplace". During the conference, the participants were able to practice powerful learning and collaboration methods. The participants in the conference formed almost a complete "turn-key" temporary organization during the conference, an organization much resembling the model described as Learning Gardens in this project summary. This is now a franchising concept that now is becoming a separate business development project by Project House and its owners.

In parallel, Learning Network has developed concepts for collaboration, experience reciprocity and knowledge sharing over the Internet. There are plans to develop the existing concept much further, in order to interweave the pilot projects of Learning Gardens in a lively and creative virtual network that interconnects the physically established Learning Gardens.

The above is a short summary of the background for the establishment of Learning Network, in order to create a new national stage for collaboration, learning and value-creation. The Network has united business and research communities to contribute to the development of a learning society through practical pilot projects, within and among organizations, local communities and across traditional sectors. In this manner we are able to collect and share hands-on experience on new forms of learning, working and organizing. 

The official launch of the Learning Network took place at the second Fall Conference in October 1999 at the old airport just outside Oslo with more than 2000 participants in the final part of the event organized round the musical Sophies World and a formal dinner. The conference was organized according to similar concepts like the Fall Conference of 1998. Three huge airport hangars was used - one for an exhibition and the musical, one for the dinner and one for the two day workshop where a full network of computers etc was set up for network members and conference participants to work on common projects and sharing knowledge. The participants created jointly a full project exhibition that was presented in a separate partner gathering and during the formal launching event.

The next annual Fall Conference is planned for October 18th and 19th this year. It's organized as a two day workshop that will generate scenarios for the influence in a specific part of the capital Oslo where the new economy is particularly present and vibrant. We may also integrate similar scenario work in two other regions of Norway in this conference. The results will be produced as a public exhibition that we will be part of our next network partner gathering. The conference is planed to be distributed live on the web during the conference and be part of initiating a web in cooperation with NRK (Norway's national broadcasting company) for dialogue, presentation and development on future scenarios. In December this will be connected to the launch of the national scenarios for the future of government developed by the Norwegian Government over the last two years.

In addition to the annual Fall Conferences the Learning Network had it's first full day internal Top Management Forum on June 8th 2000. More than 60 top managers of partner companies and associated companies participated together with the Council and the Board of the Learning Network. In co-operation with 360 Project House are the Learning Network and SOL Sweden organized SOL Europe 2000 in Molde on the West Coast of Norway on August 1st to 4th 2000. This event was developed according to a concept called "ConferSense" under the title "Learning Naturally" which is based on the philosophy that is the platform behind the establishment of the Learning Network. This conference was followed by 13th international conference in System Dynamics hosted by one of the founders of the Learning Network on "Sustainability for the 3rd Millenium".

LN is organized with a Board, Secretariat, Council, Partners, and Members (individuals). In addition are the Learning Network organizing four Focus Groups on specific topics that we hope will be fully operational and self-governing during the coming year.

The duties of the Board are according to the law (economy etc). Their main role is taking care of all practical and administrative issues. As members of the Board the following were elected:

LN have been part of establishing Project House - Prosjekthuset Spor 19 AS as a private company which purpose is to develop projects and business within the scope and visions of the Learning Network as well run the secretariat. This includes running the web-site, maintain and expand the partner/membership base, maintain list of projects/activities, prepare Board and Council meetings, arrange seminars, conferences and other events. As of now secretariat consists of:

In addition we have several people working in each project. All activities are project based and financed and organized separately.

The purpose of the Council is to decide and focus the content of what the Network will work. The Council consists of up to 21 members. 1/3 of the council members will be elected by the Learning Network Partners, 1/3 by individual Members of the Learning Network, and 1/3 will be invited to join due to their competence, experience or position by invitation from the Board. The Council had its first ordinary meeting on March 16th 2000. Next meeting is planed for early September. The Council has the following member:

Membership is open for a modest fee for every individual signing up for his/her commitment to align with the vision. Ca 100 individuals have so far signed up as members. We expect to have more than 300 members by the end of the year. Yearly membership fee: NOK 350.

The following organizations/institutions have signed up as Partners:

An interim agreement of partnership is also made with Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) on the NRK Futurama project.

Yearly Partnership fee: NOK 200.000.

We have set up a database run website that is developed can operate in parallel in several languages with sections for News, Events, Meeting rooms, Projects, Focus areas, Network partners and members. Our philosophy "Naturally" is also presented on the website.

Our vision is well aligned with that of SoL. However, our is more explicit regarding the role of LN as an independent meeting-place and a driving force for renewal and value creation in developing the new infrastructure needed to develop the knowledge society. We focus on

• learning communities/societies
• the sustainability/ecological demand on every one of us
• the cooperation of private, public and voluntary organizations
• future workplaces

Learning Network has actively been part of initiating and formalizing a SOL Global Community. The Learning Network has been represented by Steinar Brenden who is a member of the SOL Global Stewardship Circle that is the global body for setting up SOL as a truly global community. Together with Inger-Mette Stenseth of 360 Project House he has actively supported the work of SOL, including organizing the first SOL Europe conference in France in November 1999.

The Learning Network believes in action learning developing diversity, engagement and operational cooperative projects by walking the talk and crossing traditional organizational and professional borders that creates value and supports and enhances our vision. We hope and believe that SoL International can become such a global community.

E-mail: info@nettverk.org

Tel: +47 2314 8530

Fax: +47 2314 8699