Eskil Pedersen
Encyclopedia
Eskil Pedersen is a Norwegian politician and leader of the Workers' Youth League
(AUF), the youth organisation associated with Norway's leading Labour Party.
On 22. July 2011 Pedersen survived the massacre
on the Workers' Youth League summer camp at Utøya
on 22 July 2011. Although leaders of AUF are never anonymous, his role in the aftermath as a representative for the organisation has caused a vast increase in media exposure. Anders Behring Breivik
, the perpetrator of the attacks, stated that Pedersen was one of his three primary targets.
in Telemark
, Pedersen has studied towards a bachelor's degree in political science, and studied courses in European and American studies at the University of Oslo
. He was also elected as the first openly gay leader of the Workers' Youth League.
since 17 October 2010. He has previously served as the county leader of AUF in Telemark
(2001–2004) and Oslo
(2006-2008). He was deputy leader of AUF from 2006 to 2010. Pedersen has previously served as a board member in Telemark No to the EU, and has served as a political advisor to AUF on election campaigns and environmental matters.
He has been debuty member of the Oslo city council
since 2007.
In the run-up to the 2011 local elections
, Pedersen accused the Mayor of Oslo Fabian Stang
of being "undemocratic" after the latter attributed Labour Party poll gains in the election run-up to voter sympathy.
In September 2011 he and several local members of AUF were invited by American hip-hop artist Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson
to a concert, in a show of solidarity and sympathy with the victims of the massacre
.
Workers' Youth League (Norway)
The Workers' Youth League is Norways biggest political youth organization, and is affiliated with the Norwegian Labour Party.AUF took its current form in April 1927, following the merger of Left Communist Youth League and Socialist Youth League of Norway corresponding with the merger of its...
(AUF), the youth organisation associated with Norway's leading Labour Party.
On 22. July 2011 Pedersen survived the massacre
2011 Norway attacks
The 2011 Norway attacks were two sequential terrorist attacks against the government, the civilian population and a summer camp in Norway on 22 July 2011....
on the Workers' Youth League summer camp at Utøya
Utøya
Utøya is a small island in the Tyrifjorden lake in Hole municipality, in the county of Buskerud, Norway. The island is , situated off the shore, by the E16 road, driving distance north-west of Oslo city centre.-Overview:...
on 22 July 2011. Although leaders of AUF are never anonymous, his role in the aftermath as a representative for the organisation has caused a vast increase in media exposure. Anders Behring Breivik
Anders Behring Breivik
Anders Behring Breivik is a Norwegian terrorist, paranoid schizophrenic and the confessed perpetrator of the Norway attacks on 22 July 2011: the bombing of government buildings in Oslo that resulted in eight deaths, and the mass shooting at a camp of the Workers' Youth League of the Labour Party...
, the perpetrator of the attacks, stated that Pedersen was one of his three primary targets.
Early life and education
Born in SkienSkien
' is a city and municipality in Telemark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Grenland. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Skien. Skien is also the administrative centre of Telemark county....
in Telemark
Telemark
is a county in Norway, bordering Vestfold, Buskerud, Hordaland, Rogaland and Aust-Agder. The county administration is in Skien. Until 1919 the county was known as Bratsberg amt.-Location:...
, Pedersen has studied towards a bachelor's degree in political science, and studied courses in European and American studies at the University of Oslo
University of Oslo
The University of Oslo , formerly The Royal Frederick University , is the oldest and largest university in Norway, situated in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The university was founded in 1811 and was modelled after the recently established University of Berlin...
. He was also elected as the first openly gay leader of the Workers' Youth League.
Political career
He has been the leader of Workers' Youth LeagueWorkers' Youth League (Norway)
The Workers' Youth League is Norways biggest political youth organization, and is affiliated with the Norwegian Labour Party.AUF took its current form in April 1927, following the merger of Left Communist Youth League and Socialist Youth League of Norway corresponding with the merger of its...
since 17 October 2010. He has previously served as the county leader of AUF in Telemark
Telemark
is a county in Norway, bordering Vestfold, Buskerud, Hordaland, Rogaland and Aust-Agder. The county administration is in Skien. Until 1919 the county was known as Bratsberg amt.-Location:...
(2001–2004) and Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
(2006-2008). He was deputy leader of AUF from 2006 to 2010. Pedersen has previously served as a board member in Telemark No to the EU, and has served as a political advisor to AUF on election campaigns and environmental matters.
He has been debuty member of the Oslo city council
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
since 2007.
In the run-up to the 2011 local elections
Norwegian local elections, 2011
Nationwide local elections for seats in municipality and county councils were held throughout Norway on 12 September 2011. Several municipalities also opened the polling booths on 11 September. For most polling stations this meant that two elections, the municipal elections and the county elections...
, Pedersen accused the Mayor of Oslo Fabian Stang
Fabian Stang
Richard Fabian Stang is a Norwegian politician for the Conservative Party. He was elected Mayor of Oslo in 2007.Stang, a lawyer, is the son of celebrated Norwegian actress Wenche Foss and entrepreneur Thomas Stang.-References:...
of being "undemocratic" after the latter attributed Labour Party poll gains in the election run-up to voter sympathy.
In September 2011 he and several local members of AUF were invited by American hip-hop artist Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
to a concert, in a show of solidarity and sympathy with the victims of the massacre
2011 Norway attacks
The 2011 Norway attacks were two sequential terrorist attacks against the government, the civilian population and a summer camp in Norway on 22 July 2011....
.