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Former PM works to fight global issues
March 09, 2007
At a presentation last week, Norway’s former prime minister, Kjell Magne Bondevik, said the most important challenge facing the world today is the fight for the poor and oppressed.
“We are the first generation with the means to end poverty,” Bondevik said. “We have the knowledge and we have the resources if we want. Social need and injustice are inseparably linked to the challenges connected to peace, security, democracy, health and human rights.”
Bondevik established the Oslo Centre for Peace and Human Rights in January of last year. The independent, nonprofit foundation was created to put to good use the expertise of people with international experience in politics, government administration and nongovernmental organizations to combat global poverty and promote peace and human rights, he said.
“We have been challenged to put to good use this knowledge,” Bondevik said.
The principle focus of the center is on facilitating inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogues; working to empower women, particularly in Africa and the Middle East; helping to develop and foster democracy; and addressing health and human rights issues around the globe.
Additionally, the center works to find long-term solutions to major humanitarian challenges in the horn of Africa, now that U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has tasked Bondevik to serve as the special humanitarian envoy for the Horn of Africa. The region, which includes Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya, is plagued by malnutrition, drought and the effects of conflict.
In many parts of the world – such as the Middle East, the Balkans and several African countries – differences in culture and religion are and have been the root cause of conflict, Bondevik said. However, there is a great synchronicity of belief among the world religions, including the intrinsic value of human life, commitment to peace and justice and respect for the sacred. By basing dialogue on these shared values, understanding and tolerance, Bondevik believes religion can be a force for peace and unity.
“I truly believe that religious faith can be part of the solution to religious conflicts by bringing people together across these borders and focusing more on common values,” Bondevik said.
Bondevik is an ordained Lutheran minister, and he believes his religious faith is an asset during peace negations. When he’s working to bring differing religious factions together, he is able to understand each party’s connection to their faith, he explained.
The Oslo Centre has only been open for a little over a year, and it already has received a list of assignments involving some of the world’s most complex and pressing challenges. These include working with the World Health Organization on infant mortality, with the Commission for Interreligious Peace in Africa and on issues of health with the Carter Center.
The organization is also working on human rights issues in North Korea, Burma and Cuba. Bondevik detailed the gross abuses placed on the citizens in these countries and explained the steps his organization is taking to correct the wrongs.
“It’s the responsibility of all states to protect their citizens from the most egregious human rights situations,” he said.
Bondevik served as prime minister of Norway from 1997 to 2000 and from 2001 to 2005. The country has a long history of peace building efforts around the world, from Asia and Africa to Latin America and the Middle East.
Norway’s efforts tend to be successful because they look at the long-term perspective surrounding a conflict and the peace builders stick around after a solution has been found, Bondevik said. Additionally, the country has ample financial and human resources to contribute and the flexibility to get involved quickly.
“You have to combine your peace efforts with financial and human resources. You have to be committed to stand there, to be there, very often for a long time,” Bondevik said.
Norway also works closely with international nongovernmental organizations that have built extensive networks through humanitarian work. The NGOs can often give the peace builders access to places the government of Norway has little or no presence in, he said.
Finally, Norway maintains good relationships with the major players in the international community, such as the U.S., the European Union, Japan, Russia and Brazil, and the country is considered impartial. These traits give Norway the power to draw the power players into the conversation and have all the parties trust them, Bondevik said.
“Our commitment to peace making is perceived as being sincere because we do not have ulterior political or economic motives,” he said. “As one of the richest countries in the world, we have a moral obligation to be active in this fight.”
Bondevik established the Oslo Centre for Peace and Human Rights in January of last year. The independent, nonprofit foundation was created to put to good use the expertise of people with international experience in politics, government administration and nongovernmental organizations to combat global poverty and promote peace and human rights, he said.
“We have been challenged to put to good use this knowledge,” Bondevik said.
The principle focus of the center is on facilitating inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogues; working to empower women, particularly in Africa and the Middle East; helping to develop and foster democracy; and addressing health and human rights issues around the globe.
Additionally, the center works to find long-term solutions to major humanitarian challenges in the horn of Africa, now that U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has tasked Bondevik to serve as the special humanitarian envoy for the Horn of Africa. The region, which includes Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya, is plagued by malnutrition, drought and the effects of conflict.
In many parts of the world – such as the Middle East, the Balkans and several African countries – differences in culture and religion are and have been the root cause of conflict, Bondevik said. However, there is a great synchronicity of belief among the world religions, including the intrinsic value of human life, commitment to peace and justice and respect for the sacred. By basing dialogue on these shared values, understanding and tolerance, Bondevik believes religion can be a force for peace and unity.
“I truly believe that religious faith can be part of the solution to religious conflicts by bringing people together across these borders and focusing more on common values,” Bondevik said.
Bondevik is an ordained Lutheran minister, and he believes his religious faith is an asset during peace negations. When he’s working to bring differing religious factions together, he is able to understand each party’s connection to their faith, he explained.
The Oslo Centre has only been open for a little over a year, and it already has received a list of assignments involving some of the world’s most complex and pressing challenges. These include working with the World Health Organization on infant mortality, with the Commission for Interreligious Peace in Africa and on issues of health with the Carter Center.
The organization is also working on human rights issues in North Korea, Burma and Cuba. Bondevik detailed the gross abuses placed on the citizens in these countries and explained the steps his organization is taking to correct the wrongs.
“It’s the responsibility of all states to protect their citizens from the most egregious human rights situations,” he said.
Bondevik served as prime minister of Norway from 1997 to 2000 and from 2001 to 2005. The country has a long history of peace building efforts around the world, from Asia and Africa to Latin America and the Middle East.
Norway’s efforts tend to be successful because they look at the long-term perspective surrounding a conflict and the peace builders stick around after a solution has been found, Bondevik said. Additionally, the country has ample financial and human resources to contribute and the flexibility to get involved quickly.
“You have to combine your peace efforts with financial and human resources. You have to be committed to stand there, to be there, very often for a long time,” Bondevik said.
Norway also works closely with international nongovernmental organizations that have built extensive networks through humanitarian work. The NGOs can often give the peace builders access to places the government of Norway has little or no presence in, he said.
Finally, Norway maintains good relationships with the major players in the international community, such as the U.S., the European Union, Japan, Russia and Brazil, and the country is considered impartial. These traits give Norway the power to draw the power players into the conversation and have all the parties trust them, Bondevik said.
“Our commitment to peace making is perceived as being sincere because we do not have ulterior political or economic motives,” he said. “As one of the richest countries in the world, we have a moral obligation to be active in this fight.”