For the second time in six months Archbishop and Nobel Laureate Desmond Tutu visits Norway. High on the agenda is the current situation in Kenya, research cooperation between Norway and South Africa and the opening of an exhibition extracting the uniqueness of, among others, the Archbishop himself.
15/02/2008 ::
Since awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo in 1984 the Emeritus Archbishop has become a true partner for succeeding Norwegian governments in addressing global challenges such as climate change, education and conflict resolution. The latest of frequent visits dates only six months back where the Archbishop lead the opening service of World Environmental Day in Tromsø - focusing on global warming.
Expectedly of the restless Nobel laureate the program for the week-long visit is extensive. Firstly, the Archbishop will meet with Norwegian Minister of Environment and International Development Mr Erik Solheim and Deputy Foreign Minister Mr Raymond Johansen to discuss the latest developments in Kenya, where Archbishop Tutu has been involved in negotiations to end the violence which have followed the last month elections. The political situation in South Africa is also on the agenda.
Opening Exhibition
The Archbishop will move on to open the exhibition “Hands That Shape Humanity,” in the same building he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 24 years ago, Oslo City Hall. The exhibition, a collaboration between Fredskorpset and the Desmond Tutu Peace Centre, displays pictures of “people who have lived exceptional lives, and have in different ways touched on people’s lives through their art or politics.” In addition to the Archbishop himself we find among the people presented personalities such as Nadime Gordimer, Carlos Santana, Isabel Allende and Gary Kasparov.
Before leaving the capital Archbishop Tutu will give a Nobel lecture termed “The Latest Developments in Africa” led by the Chairman and the Director of the Norwegian Nobel Committee at the Nobel Institute. Naturally, the situation in Kenya along with the latest developments in South Africa will be highlighted.
Research Programme
Next, the Archbishop will fly to Bergen where he will address some of the same topics as in the Nobel lecture in an event hosted by the University of Bergen and the Student Society. Later, the Archbishop is guest of honour in a formal dinner hosted by the City of Bergen. The Archbishop will also meet with Rector Grønmo and the leadership of the University of Bergen to discuss topics related to the Southern African Nordic Centre- SANORD- an organisation of universities of the two regions.
Archbishop Tutu is expected to give yet another cermon before returning to South Africa, in a gathering organized by Norwegian Church Aid, an organization with extensive development projects in South Africa.
Arguably the number one personality symbolizing the substantial trust and friendship between the two countries, Norway is pleased to again have the honour of a visit by Nobel Laureate Archbishop Tutu.