State of The Planet 2008

How is our planet doing? On March 27 and 28, the world’s most influential thinkers and opinion leaders gather in New York at the State of The Planet Conference. Alongside people like Kofi Annan and Jeffrey Sachs, Jan Egeland and Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre are two of several Norwegians attending.

Visions of Africa

Norwegian photographer Arne Hoel heads up the World Bank’s Africa Documentary Photo Project “Visions of Africa” which aims to produce compelling and insightful photography that puts a human face on development.

Promoting Legal Empowerment of the Poor

Norway has, with support from the other Nordic countries, taken the initiative to establish an international commission to strengthen the user and property rights of the poor. One of its goals is to raise international awareness about this issue. The commission recently held its second meeting.

Norway gives NOK 300 million to African Horn

Norway is allocating more than NOK 300 million ($46 million) to the drought-stricken countries on the Horn of Africa and to Kenya. The Government gives priority to intensifying Norwegian efforts in Africa.

Norwegian Government Donates NOK 50 million to Vaccine Research

The Norwegian government has allocated NOK 50 million (USD 7.4 million) yearly to Norwegian researchers who develop and produce vaccines. The goal is to reduce the child mortality rate worldwide.

Norway steps up efforts to combat human trafficking

Every year thousands of children, women and men are victims of human trafficking. The Norwegian Government has launched an action plan that includes a number of new measures to combat human trafficking.

Sophie Prize Winner Honored in Oslo

Argentinean lawyer and human rights activist Romina Picolotti received the Sophie Prize in Oslo on June 15, from Norwegian Minister of International Development Erik Solheim. She urged the world to take action to eliminate poverty and promote sustainable development.

Norway to Help Developing Countries with Oil Management

During the 2006-2010 time period, the Norwegian government will give NOK 250 million ($37 million) more to aid underdeveloped nations avoid internal struggles over oil. "Oil for Development" was launched in 2005 and aims to help developing nations better manage their oil resources.

Norway Contributes NOK 200 Million to UN Emergency Relief Fund

“Norway is contributing NOK 200 million to the new UN emergency relief fund, CERF, and is thus one of the first countries to make a contribution. We are doing this because the past year has shown that humanitarian crises call for an immediate response,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

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