Seminar Recap | CPN “Personal Finance for Immigrants” – 11 November 2025
On the evening of 11 November 2025, light rain fell over Oslo as dusk settled among the glass buildings of Bjørvika, Oslo’s waterfront district often referred to as the city’s “Little Manhattan”. Despite the wet autumn weather, immigrants from nine different countries made their way to the DEG16 Auditorium, umbrellas in hand, eager to learn and exchange knowledge.
Hosted by Chinese Professionals in Norway (CPN), the event was the second seminar of the project “Understanding Norwegian Society and Personal Finance”, which received funding from Oslo Municipality in 2025. The initiative aims to provide practical, accessible workshops that help immigrants improve their financial knowledge, strengthen financial security, and better integrate into Norwegian society.
The event focused on understanding the insurance system in Norway, an important topic for anyone building a stable life in a new country.
CPN volunteers prepared the venue in advance and welcomed participants with refreshments during the registration period from 17:30 to 18:00. The relaxed atmosphere provided a great opportunity for participants to meet, exchange experiences, and connect with others from different backgrounds.
The seminar opened at 18:00 with welcoming remarks from Ms Ellen Yiqun Zhang, Vice President of CPN and Project Manager. She introduced CPN’s mission and highlighted the importance of financial literacy for immigrants navigating Norwegian systems.
She also briefly reflected on the first seminar in the series, held in September, which focused on pension, saving, and investing. That event attracted 110 registered participants from seven countries and featured two private banking experts from Storebrand who shared insights on wealth accumulation and long-term financial planning.
While the first seminar focused on building wealth, the second seminar turned to an equally important topic: protecting wealth. Zhang emphasized that insurance is a cornerstone of modern household financial stability, helping families manage risks and safeguard their future.
At 18:20, the keynote speaker Mr. Christian Haraldsen, Senior Communications Manager at Gjensidige, took the stage.
With 16 years of experience in insurance communication, and a background as a financial journalist at Aftenposten and Finansavisen, Haraldsen brought both professional insight and clarity to the topic.
Using a clear structure and accessible language, he explained how the Norwegian insurance system works in practice. His presentation covered a wide range of topics, including:
•The relationship between public welfare schemes and private insurance
•Common risks faced by individuals and families, such as illness, accidents, property damage, and liability
•The difference between mandatory and optional insurance
•Key considerations when choosing insurance policies
•How different household structures may require different insurance solutions
By combining explanations with practical examples from real life, Haraldsen helped participants better understand how insurance functions as a crucial safety net in everyday life.
As the seminar progressed, audience engagement grew increasingly lively. Participants raised numerous questions covering topics such as:
•Sick leave benefits and accident coverage
•Rights and responsibilities for renters
•Family liability insurance
•Car insurance and home insurance
Haraldsen patiently addressed each question and often illustrated his answers with real-life examples, making complex insurance terminology easier to understand.
The strong interest from participants meant that the seminar extended beyond its scheduled end time, highlighting how closely insurance issues are connected to the daily lives of immigrants in Norway.
At the end of the seminar, CPN President Dr. Xiuhua Zhang presented flowers and a small gift to Christian Haraldsen in appreciation of his insightful and engaging presentation.
For CPN, the seminar is part of a broader effort to support immigrant communities. Since 2010, the organization has operated the Competence Center for Immigrants (www.workinginnorway.no), offering workshops, mentoring, and networking opportunities related to employment, entrepreneurship, and life in Norway.
Through initiatives like the Personal Finance for Immigrants series, CPN hopes to help immigrants especially newcomers better understand the systems that shape everyday life in Norway - and ultimately feel more confident and secure in their new home.
According to the survey, the seminar om insurance received excellent feedback, with an average satisfaction score of 4.67 out of 5, reflecting the strong appreciation from participants.
The next seminar in the Personal Finance for Immigrants series is expected to take place in early 2026, focusing on Budgeting and Debt Management, helping participants strengthen their everyday financial planning skills.
More details will be announced on CPN’s website and social media channels in due course.