The Oslo North-South Forum

Lord Mayor of Oslo
Your Excellency,
Dr Kenneth Kaunda
Minister of International Development, Hilde F. Johnson
Honourable Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Ms Leah Tutu
Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen

First, I would like to thank the Lord Mayor for his kind words of welcome and for hosting this event.

It is indeed a great pleasure for me to be present here today at the opening of The Oslo North-South Forum 2004 and The International Advisory Council Meeting of Fredskorpset. I want to extend my gratitude to Fredskorpset for organizing this international event and inviting me to attend and address you all today.

The slogan for The Oslo North-South Forum 2004, Bringing People Together, is quite an appropriate one. I am in the presence of more than 1000 individuals here today from more than 60 countries worldwide, as well as a substantial number of representatives from different sectors of the Norwegian society, as well as many representatives from the multi-ethnic societies in Norway.

If I may quote the Honourable Archbishop Desmond Tutu who is present here with us today: “Values of respect and solidarity need to be nurtured whenever and however possible, and this can happen through bringing people together. Meetings between people can be powerful; while we are all different individuals from different backgrounds, there are lessons to be learned for everyone.” End quote.

I believe that all people are interconnected. We have a common heritage and a common future.

We are gathered here today for sharing visions and experiences with partners of Fredskorpset and numerous representatives of society at large. The intention is to focus on some of the most vital issues facing us today – how to create a more just and viable future for all mankind.

As a goodwill-ambassador for the UNDP, I can identify with the challenges many of you are facing. Also, my own travels in the South and meeting people there, have thought me about how urgent and important these issues are. To reach the millennium developmental goals by 2015 we need efforts like this today. Let me finish off by quoting Professor Anthony Appiah: “it is crucial to remember always that we are not simply black or white or yellow or brown, gay or straight or bisexual, Jewish, Christian, Moslem, Buddhist or Confucian, but we are also brothers and sisters; parents and children; liberals, conservatives and leftists; teachers and lawyers and auto-makers and gardeners; fans of the Paders and the Bruins; amateurs of grunge rock and lovers of Wagner; movie buffs; MTV-holics, mystery-readers; surfers and singers; poets and pet-lovers; students and teachers; friends and lovers”

With this in mind it becomes evident that brining people together can indeed lead to powerful meetings.

I hereby declare The Oslo North-South Forum 2004 officially open.