Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Norwegian Peacemaking at Augsburg

Norwegians are known around the world as peacemakers. Next month those of us living in the Twin Cities metro area can be a part of this peacemaking effort by participating in the Nobel Peace Prize Forum, March 1–3. A civic learning experience that brings Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, civic leaders, and scholars together with students and other citizens, the peace prize forum is the Norwegian Nobel Institute’s only program or academic affiliation outside of Norway. It's mission: to inspire and engage students and citizens to become full participants in peacemaking efforts around the world.

Hosted this year by Augsburg College, in partnership with the Humphrey School for Public Affairs, the event rotates each year between Augsburg and four other colleges with Norwegian roots in the Midwest: St. Olaf, Luther, Augustana and Concordia. Featured speakers and guests this year include Naomi Tutu, Nobel winner FW de Klerk, CNN’s Jonathan Mann, hip hop artist Dessa and Harry Potter Alliance founder Andrew Slack, in addition to some 40 local, national and international workshop presenters.

The event explores the relationship of stability and peace to business, to arts and music, to education, and to international policy, and offers four unique programming tracks over the 3-day forum. For more information or to register, visit the Nobel Peace Prize Forum website.

UPDATE: I've just been notified that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, 1991 winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, will deliver a special message to attendees of the Nobel Peace Prize Forum during the closing ceremonies on March 3 at Ted Mann Concert Hall.

Amy Boxrud is editor of Viking magazine. She lives with her family in Northfield, Minn., where she’s a member of Nordmarka 1-585.

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