Ambassador of Norway visits University of Adelaide
L-R: Mrs Kristina Larsen, Wife to the Ambassador; His Excellency Mr Paul Gulleik Larsen, Ambassador of Norway; Dr Priya Chacko, Head of Department of Politics and International Relations; Professor Jacqueline Lo, Pro Vice-Chancellor (International); Dr Glen Stafford, Director of Internationalisation Strategy
On Wednesday 24 March 2021, the University of Adelaide welcomed His Excellency Mr Paul Gulleik Larsen, Ambassador of Norway, to North Terrace Campus.
The Ambassador delivered a talk as part of the inaugural event of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (International)'s Meet the Leader series, which features international Ambassadors and prominent figures speaking to students, staff, and the public about international relations and foreign policy.
Current Global Challenges & Multilateral Cooperation - Norwegian Foreign Policy Perspectives, outlined the challenges that Norway faces globally, including:
- the COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent economic challenges;
- challenges of being an oil and gas country while also being heavily engaged in green energy;
- involvement with other worldwide organisations to develop solutions to global issues.
Addressing Norway's involvement with the United Nations and the World Health Organisation, the Ambassador spoke of Norway's efforts to re-engage the United States in climate action, health, and multilateral cooperation, stating "It is still the most important country in the world when it comes to leadership" and the weight that US influence brings to global challenges.
The oration also addressed issues such as pollution and climate, with the Ambassador referencing overfishing in international waters. He reiterated that Norway, along with the Prime Ministers of Australia, Japan, and several South American countries, have been working together to make sustainable healthy ocean plans for national jurisdiction waters.
Before opening the floor to a Q&A, the Ambassador touched on his work with the United Nations food program, providing humanitarian aid and access around the world for those in need. In a similar vein, he stressed the economic consequences of COVID-19 need to be addressed as a matter of urgency, stating that the largest challenge is ensuring all COVID-19 solutions are available to all societies, regardless of country.
Current Global Challenges & Multilateral Cooperation - Norwegian Foreign Policy Perspectives was a joint event hosted by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (International), the Department of Politics and International Relations (POLIR), and the Politics and International Relations Association (PIRA) at the University of Adelaide.
See below for a full gallery of photos from the event. An audio recording of the event can be accessed here.
