In 1997, the Embassy initiated NAPEP, the Norwegian-American Parliamentary Exchange Program, and the Norwegian-American Parliamentary Staff Exchange Program. Two years later, in 1999, the Norway Caucus in the Senate and the Friends of Norway Caucus in the House of Representatives were established. The founding fathers of the Friends of Norway Caucus were Congressmen Sabo (MN), Minge (MN), Thune (SD), and Pomeroy (ND), while Senator Conrad (ND) was the founding father of the Norway Caucus.
NAPEP (the Norwegian-American Parliamentary Exchange Program)
NAPEP and the Norwegian-American Parliamentary Staff Exchange Program are both approved by the United States Information Agency. The programs enable the Norwegian government to invite members of Congress and their staff to visit Norway and meet Norwegian politicians, government officials and a variety of interest groups. Two trips have been arranged each year, with more than 40 members of Congress and staffers having participated. The most recent trip was to Svalbard in the fall of 2006. The trip focused on defense, nuclear safety, environmental security and Arctic issues.
For further information about NAPEP and the Norwegian-American Parliamentary Staff Exchange Program, please contact the Royal Norwegian Embassy, e-mail emb.washington@mfa.no or by phone (202) 333-6000.
Norway Caucus and Friends of Norway Caucus
The main objectives of the Norway Caucus in the Senate and the Friends of Norway Caucus in the House of Representatives are to:
- strengthen the contacts between Norwegian and U.S. parliamentarians.
- provide a forum for dialogue and exchange of views between U.S. and Norwegian politicians on issues, interests, priorities and policies, bilaterally between Norway and the United States, and globally.
- facilitate access for the Embassy and Norwegian Government officials to members of Congress and their staff, and provide a venue for channeling advise and views from members of Congress and their staff to the Embassy and to the Norwegian government.
The Caucuses have grown considerably since 1999. Membership in Norway Caucus and the Friends of Norway Caucus is open to all members of Congress. The Co-Chairs of Norway Caucsus are Rick Larsen D-WA, Earl Pomeroy D-ND and James Sensenbrenner R-WI.
The Caucuses meet when suitable occasions occur, such as visits by Norwegian political leaders or parliamentarians, or if issues of particular interest or concern for Norway or the U.S. should be addressed.
For further information about the Caucuses, please contact: