Many Aussies believe Australia is the best country in the world, but according to the World Happiness Report, we come in 12th place. The top seven happiest countries are all Nordic countries, and they have stayed there since the World Happiness Index was published in 2013. Why?

Since 1949, Finland’s baby box program has provided new parents with parenting essentials. It continues to inspire similar programs worldwide.

Australia can learn from Scandinavian measures to widen the range of views available for the public.

Planned new funds from the national and two major state governments for early years learning have huge potential. Nordic-style measures to reduce privatised childcare – and now boost wages, job security and training support for children’s educators and carers – are urgently needed to realise that potential.

Finland’s car scrapping premium campaigns have been a marked success in removing thousands of polluting vehicles from Finnish roads and helping people transition to lower emissions transport.

Since 1976, Sweden has had a policy of ‘Co-determination’ where 2-3 members of every company board must be appointed by a trade union as employee representatives.

A Norwegian style sovereign wealth fund could enable all Australians to benefit from Australia’s natural resources and help Australia manage the next resource boom.

Nordic countries have long considered multilateralism key to combatting climate change and environmental issues. This month, the Stockholm+50 conference commemorated 50 years since the landmark United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, and for the first time saw United Nations Member States formally recognise the need to phase out all fossil fuels.

“The looming applications by Finland and Sweden for NATO membership together constitute the most significant strategic change in Europe since the collapse of the Soviet Union and the destruction of the Berlin Wall,” said Allan Behm, Director of the Australia Institute’s International & Security Affairs Program.

Australia has a great opportunity to improve its policies for children.