Norway and the United States

Wegger Strommen, ambassador of Norway to the U.S., visited the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hillon Thurs., April 18, 2013. During his visit, he delivered remarks on “Europe and the United States” in the Nelson Mandela Auditorium at the FedEx Global Education Center.

Following his remarks, Ambassador Strommen participated in a roundtable discussion with UNC faculty members, Klaus Larres, Richard M. Krasno Distinguished Professor of History, and Graeme Robertson, associate professor of political science, as well as Bertrand de Largentaye, former European Union permanent representative to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Wegger Strommen became ambassador of Norway to the United States in Oct. 2007. Previously, he served as Norway’s ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva since 2005. He was Norway’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations in New York from 2002 to 2005, served on the Security Council during Norway’s tenure from 2000 to 2002 and as Norway’s deputy foreign minister from 1999 to 2000. Strommen joined the Norwegian foreign service in 1984 and has also practiced as an international lawyer. He holds a master’s of law degree from the University of Oslo Law School and has lectured on international law at Harvard, Columbia, New York University, the University of Bergen and University of Oslo.

Ambassador Strommen’s visit to UNC was in conjunction with the Ambassadors Forum organized by the Richard M. Krasno Distinguished Professorship, the Center for European Studies and the Department of History. This event was co-sponsored by the Curriculum in Global Studies. The forum brings to campus prominent diplomats, politicians and business leaders to deliver public lectures and conduct seminars and workshops for graduate students. Students have the opportunity to engage first-hand with international leaders and obtain insights into the practical application of their study of history, political science, European studies and international relations.