Birthday mountain

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/norway-finland-mountain-gift-present-border-birthday-anniversary-bj-rn-geirr-harsson-k-fjord-a7541941.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-37662811

6th December 2017 marks 100 years since Finland was given independence and some people living in Norway want to give their neighbours a birthday present.

A campaign has been launched to give a mountain to Finland. Currently both Norway and Finland share Mount Halti but the peak lies in Norway, just 31 meters from the Finnish border. The campaign, led by a retired geophysicist Bjorn Gierr Harsson, aims to move the Norwegian border so that the peak lies in Finland.

The Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg has recognised there are many people in Norway who want the mountain to be given to Finland; "This creative proposal has received a very positive response from the public...I welcome this and I see a clear sign that Norway and Finland have a close relationship."

However, it has been decided the gift is not possible because of constitutional and judicial problems. The Prime Minister has said another gift will be given instead.

The campaign continues with 17,000 signatures asking the government to change its mind. Bjorn says, "All over the world you find countries that fight or make war to enlarge their countries but in this case Norway is willing to give away a small part without asking for anything in return."

"It's a gift from the heart of the Norwegians to Finland so we don't expect anything back; we just want to give them something really nice when they celebrate 100 years as a free nation."

What do you see in the picture?
What do you think the story is about?

Explain the story

- What sort of presents do people usually get for a birthday?
- Why do you think someone wants to give a mountain as a birthday present?
- Norway and Finland are two different countries. What does this story show about the people who live in Norway and Finland?
- Why do the campaigners say they want nothing in return from Finland?
- How do you think the people of Finland felt when they heard about the campaign to give them a mountain?
- Some people who don't understand about diversity or No Outsiders might say that people in different countries cannot get along and should not be giving each other gifts of land. What does this story show us?
- What can we learn from Bjorn?
- Why is this story about No Outsiders?

No Outsiders in our school: Teaching the Equality Act in Primary Schools by Andrew Moffat

Reclaiming radical ideas in schools: Preparing young children for life in modern Britain by Andrew Moffat