Ålesund library has teamed up with Kirkens Bymisjon and Redd Barna and invites you to a book talk with author Marit Eikemo and researcher Hilde Danielsen about the topics of housing, family poverty and the inequalities it creates in our society.
They believe we cannot talk about poverty without talking about housing. Because a safe and good home is one of the most fundamental things in a childhood. It is unfortunately the case that children who grow up in families with persistently low incomes move more often than others, they live in tighter quarters and have environments that are unsafe. They experience shame and do not want to invite friends home, because then it is impossible to hide how they really feel.
– The aim of Norwegian housing policy is for everyone to live well and safely. This is one of the cornerstones of our welfare policy. If you look at Ålesund, around 270 children in low-income families live too cramped and one of the reasons for this is that they cannot afford to buy their own home. If we are going to do something about poverty, we have to talk about housing, says Katrine Celius, event manager in Ålesund library.
The event will be held at the library on 21 May at 18:00-20:00 and they have invited three guests.
– Marit Eikemo is one of our leading contemporary authors and this spring she is currently working on a new novel ‘Vi er brodrene Eikemo!’ coming in May. Several of her books thematize the value of a home. In her novels, she also explores human relationships and everyday situations through people who have either fallen outside or do not find belonging in traditional communities, says Celius.
– Hilde Danielsen is a researcher and participated in the innovative research project “New patterns” which shows encouraging results for how Norwegian municipalities can break the link linked to poverty being passed on from one generation to the next, she adds.
The conversation will be led by Anna-Sabina Soggiu who is a social worker, social debater and author of the book Vi fattigfolk.
– Welcome to an honest conversation about reality as it is, and how we can create change together. It is free and open to everyone, says Celius.
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