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**** for the boondocks: Norway tries to boost birth rate (Title edited for Content)
Aftenposten English Web Desk ^ | 02 Feb 2005 | Jonathan Tisdall

Posted on 02/03/2005 9:20:46 AM PST by two134711

Echoing the notorious 'F--- for Forest' stunt that combined public sex and fundraising for the rain forest, an organization of rural youth are trying to find ways to raise the population in Norway's outlying districts.

The "F--- for bygda (rural areas/boondocks)" campaign from the Norwegian young farmers league (NBU) is a humorous - yet serious - attempt to focus attention on the exodus from Norway's rural areas, NRK (Norwegian Broadcasting) reports.

Besides a declining birth rate Norway's outlying districts also see their residents moving to urban areas, and small local schools have begun to disappear.

Six years ago the residents of little Gloppen held a high-profile 'community reproduction effort' in a local gymnasium that embodies the spirit of "F--- for bygda". The endeavor was a big success according to organizer Per Svein Reed, who told NRK that the school is now "nearly bursting" with kids.

Gloppen's snow-hole project was less of a hit. Gloppen businesses dug out cozy little caves in the mountainside snow and put out hundreds of torches to add to the romantic atmosphere. The effort did not result in a noticeable rise in the local population nine months later.

"F--- for bygda" will encourage rural youth to get together and reproduce to help maintain their local societies.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: birthrate; lowbirthrate; lowbirthrateeurope; norway; population
You've got to hand it to the Norwegians: they understand the best way to get more citizens is to make them, not import them.
1 posted on 02/03/2005 9:20:46 AM PST by two134711
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To: two134711

I've got to agree, they have the right idea.


2 posted on 02/03/2005 9:23:44 AM PST by exnavy (lead, follow or get out of the way)
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To: two134711

Some how I expect the government to step in and F*** it up.


3 posted on 02/03/2005 9:38:46 AM PST by CzarNicky (The problem with bad ideas is that they seemed like good ideas at the time.)
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To: two134711
Their main problem is that they're frigid! Expecially above the artic circle...
4 posted on 02/03/2005 9:55:34 AM PST by Dubh_Ghlase ("Every man dies, but not every man truly lives...." Braveheart)
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To: Dubh_Ghlase

Norway is in a world of hurt, My best man is Norwegian and the system discourages any inititative. That being said, they have a declining birth rate as does all of Western Europe which will not sutain the population. Another Norwegian spent a week at my home and confided they are having issues with Muslim immigrants. They come to Norway, get a physician to claim they are disabled, get Norwegian benefits and then go back to their own country where the payments continue.


5 posted on 02/03/2005 10:02:34 AM PST by AZFolks
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To: two134711

We may have to try the same initiative in South Dakota. The effort could be helped in our aging state by Medicare paying for Viagra.


6 posted on 02/03/2005 10:05:35 AM PST by The Great RJ
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To: AZFolks
Yup. I married a Norwegian, whose both parents are Norwegian, and who still has relatives in Norway. They are being hung on their own petard...

And to add insult to injury, they seem to all hate Bush, but Halliburton runs a lot of the oil rigs that make Norway so rich!

7 posted on 02/03/2005 11:25:43 AM PST by Dubh_Ghlase ("Every man dies, but not every man truly lives...." Braveheart)
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To: AZFolks

Strange that Norway has one of the highest per cent per capita when it comes to starting their own busines. I will say people that blame the system should ask what you can do for the country and not what the country can do for you. Acctually most of my friends wants to start their own enterprise and some have already. Young Norwegian guys. In my neighborhood many males have their own enterprise including my dad


8 posted on 02/03/2005 11:51:05 AM PST by tomjohn77
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To: two134711

...As my wife's 97 year old Swedish grandfather put's it with a grin from ear to ear...Norweigan girls are the best looking women in the world...So whats the problem...We must go and help.


9 posted on 02/03/2005 2:16:40 PM PST by MD_Willington_1976
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To: MD_Willington_1976

I think Swedish girls look better and so do many Norwegian guys. We love listening to them talking Swedish


10 posted on 02/04/2005 10:31:38 AM PST by tomjohn77
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