stefnumála

Stafnumála is an Icelandic term used in politics and public administration to refer to policy issues or matters that governments, political parties, or organizations seek to address. It covers a range of topics such as economy, welfare, education, environment, and regulation, and serves as a basis for prioritization and resource allocation.

In political discourse, stefnumál is commonly found in party manifestos and program documents, where it outlines goals, proposed reforms, and instruments. The term is closely related to the concept of a policy agenda—the list of issues a government intends to address over a period. Analysts use stefnumál to analyze how problems are defined, what solutions are proposed, and how trade-offs between goals are managed.

Etymology and usage: The word combines stefna (policy or course) and mál (matter or issue). It is used to describe content that guides strategic decisions, reform proposals, and public programs. Stefnumál is a staple concept in discussions of public policy, agenda-setting, policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation, reflecting how authorities frame problems and choose means to address them.