Society & Policy

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has published its Platform for an Integrated Africa Policy. Despite unresolved conflicts, such as in DR Congo, Darfur and Zimbabwe, along with uncertainty due to the international financial crisis, it should be noted that there have never before been so few wars in Africa or so many peaceful changes of government, and the continent has never before experienced such sustained high levels of economic growth.

When Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon got married five years ago, they set up a humanitarian fund. This year the fund supports a Russian aids centre and The Church City Mission in Norway, while the Norwegian government awarded more than NOK 4 million to the fund.

This year’s Rafto Prize has been awarded to Bulambo Lembelembe Josué for his efforts to promote hope, peace and human dignity in Eastern Congo. This Norwegian human rights prize attracts considerable international interest, partly due to the fact that several Rafto Laureates have later been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

  The European Union closely followed the general elections held in Angola on 5 and 6 September 2008. The European Observation Mission welcomed the progress made by Angola towards democracy, the size of the turnout and the calm which reigned during the electoral process, despite logistical and procedural difficulties. The European Union welcomes the fact that the elections were held peacefully and congratulates all those active on the Angolan political scene for their resolute and responsible action to this end, despite the organisational problems noted.  The broad mobilisation of An

Norway pumps three million barrels of oil from the North Sea daily, and is the world's third largest oil exporter. However, the oil will run out and to ensure the wellbeing of future generations, the Norwegian state governs a pension fund based on current oil revenues with strict ethical guidelines. 

  Participants at the Oslo Conference on Cluster Munitions have agreed an action plan for developing a new international treaty on cluster munitions by the end of 2008.

Ambassador Knut Vollebæk is appointed as the OSCE’s High Commissioner on National Minorities.

The former Norwegian Minister of Development, Hilde Frafjord Johnson, is appointed Deputy Director of UNICEF’s Head Quarter in New York.

Erik Solheim and Vibeke Skauerud visiting registration office for election. Erik Solheim with finance minister Pedro de Morais. Kjell Ståle Valdal from Aker Kværner, Erik Solheim and ambassador Arild R. Øyen visiting Aker Kværner at Sonils base. Utviklingminsiter Erik Solheim og ambassadør Arild R. Øyen Erik Solheim with employees from Aker Kværner Erik Solheim and ambassador Arild R. Øyen greeting General Paulo Lukemba Gato from Unita.

Peace mediators from all over the world gathered in Norway at the Oslo Forum in the last week of June, to share experiences on ongoing mediation in peace processes in the Middle East, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Somalia.