Sekretariatet

Sekretariatet, meaning the secretariat, is the administrative office that supports the work of a government ministry, a parliament, a council, a board, or another organization. It acts as the procedural and coordination backbone, arranging meetings, handling documentation, and serving as a liaison between different parts of the organization and with external stakeholders.

Typical duties include scheduling and organizing meetings, preparing agendas and minutes, drafting and routing policy papers, managing correspondence and records, handling inquiries from the public, and overseeing basic administrative services such as budgeting, human resources support, and information services. Secretariats often provide research and administrative support to chairs, committees, or elected representatives, enabling decision-making without themselves making political choices.

The secretariat is usually headed by a senior administrator or secretary who reports to the political or executive leadership of the organization. Staff may include administrative officers, policy assistants, researchers, and communications personnel. While the secretariat handles many operational tasks, it remains separate from the political leadership and is expected to provide neutral, professional support based on established procedures and rules.

Across Nordic and other European contexts, Sekretariatet is used to describe the administrative unit serving bodies such as ministries, parliaments, councils, or boards. In international settings, the equivalent term is often “secretariat.” The core purpose remains the same: to organize, document, and coordinate the day-to-day work that enables governance and organizational activities to function effectively.