1. Death and Dying in the Nordic Countries – 1st Symposium of the Nordic Network of Thanatology (NNT) Michael Hviid Jacobsen, Professor of Sociology and Director of Studies for the Master’s Program in Humanistic Palliative Care, Aalborg University

2.  Continuing the collaboration and bonding from the recent conferences in Oslo and Linköping in late 2008  Getting to know and share knowledge with colleagues and potential collaborators in other Nordic countries  Bridging and creating synergies between academic thanatology and practical palliative care work (as exemplified by the master’s program in Humanistic Palliative Care at Aalborg University)  Consolidating the NNT in a Nordic context  Creating the groundwork for future joint research programs and publishing opportunities  Making researchers and practitioners working with death and dying visible to each other

3.  Foundation: Founded in the wake of the two conferences on death and dying in Oslo and Linköping in late 2008  Intentions and ambitions: To consolidate and create visibility around the study of death and dying in a Nordic context  Board of directors: One member from each of the Nordic countries (at the moment the board is self-appointed)  Homepage: http://www.isv.liu.se/nisal/forskningsnatverk- och-samarbeten/nordic-network-of-thanatology-nnt  Conference and publishing activity: To host a conference once every or every second year (by rotation principle) and to initiate publication initiatives within death studies

4. During meetings in Oslo in april 2009 and in Copenhagen in april 2010 we agreed on the following ambitions and potentials for the NNT: To unite and create synergies between scholars and practitioners working within a variety of disciplines, traditions and fields of study in relation to death, dying and bereavement in the Nordic countries. To render visible the many forms of research and other initiatives within the field of thanatology in the Nordic countries. To provide a platform and forum for interdisciplinary discussion, exchange and collaboration within the Nordic countries. To strengthen existing bonds and build new bonds between individuals and institutions working within the field of thanatology in the Nordic countries. To promote an awareness in the academic community – nationally, regionally and internationally – as well as outside of academia of the importance of studies of death, dying and bereavement as a legitimate field of research.

5. Wednesday November 24th 13.00-13.15Welcome and practical information: Michael Hviid Jacobsen, Aalborg University, Denmark 13.15-14.45Keynote session 1: Anna Whitaker, Linköping University, Sweden: Death and Dying in the Nordic Countries – From My Perspective 14.45-15.15Coffee break 15.15-17.00Round table session 1: Death and Dying in the Nordic Countries – Presentations by the Board of Directors and Open Debate 19.00-Dinner in town at Hotel Hvide Hus (top floor)

6. Thursday November 25th 9.00-10.30Parallel workshop sessions 1 and 2 9.00-10.30Parallel workshop sessions 1 and 2 10.30-11.00Coffee break 11.00-12.30Parallel workshop sessions 1 and 2 12.30-13.30Lunch 13.30-15.30Workshop session 1 15.30-16.00Coffee break 16.00-17.00Presentation: Charlotta Lindgren, Sveriges Begravningsbyråers Förbund: Care After Death 19.00-Dinner in town at Sohngaardsholm Slot

7. Friday November 26th 9.00-10.30Keynote session 2: Tony Walter, University of Bath, England: Why Different Countries Manage Death Differently: A Comparative Analysis of Modern Urban Societies 9.00-10.30Keynote session 2: Tony Walter, University of Bath, England: Why Different Countries Manage Death Differently: A Comparative Analysis of Modern Urban Societies 10.30-11.00Coffee break 11.00-12.30Round Table Session 2: The future of thanatology in the Nordic countries, presentation of book project and conference closure 12.30-13.30Lunch and farewell

8.  Kræftens Bekæmpelse, Denmark  The Department of Sociology & Social Work, Aalborg University  The Faculty of Social Science, Aalborg University  C. W. Obels Familiefond, Aalborg  Sveriges Begravningsbyråers Förbund