Geir Jørgen Bekkevold
Encyclopedia
Geir Jørgen Bekkevold is a Norwegian priest and politician for the Christian Democratic Party.
He was born in Horten
as a son of laborer Jan Egil Bekkevold and housewife Evy Bekkevold. He finished his secondary education in Horten in 1982, and attended the University of Oslo
from 1983 to 1991. Here, he received the cand.theol.
degree as well as undergoing the practical-theological seminary. He worked as a field priest during his compulsory military service from 1991 to 1992, and then became curate in Gjerpen
. In 2005 he was promoted to vicar in Borgestad
in Skien
.
Bekkevold became involved in politics as a member of Skien city council from 1999 to 2009, the last two years in the executive committee. From 2003 to 2007 he was also a member of Telemark
county council
. He chaired the local chapter from his party from 2007 to 2008, and the regional chapter in Telemark from 2008. He was elected to the Parliament of Norway from Telemark in 2009
. He became a member of the Standing Committee on Local Government and Public Administration
, Like his entire party group, he also joined Israels Venner på Stortinget
.
Bekkevold has also been active in YMCA
/YWCA
locally. He was a board member of Teater Ibsen from 2004 to 2008, and the county library from 2007.
He was born in Horten
Horten
is a town and municipality in Vestfold county, Norway—located along the Oslofjord. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Horten. The municipality also includes the villages of Borre, Åsgårdstrand, Skoppum, and Nykirke....
as a son of laborer Jan Egil Bekkevold and housewife Evy Bekkevold. He finished his secondary education in Horten in 1982, and attended 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...
from 1983 to 1991. Here, he received the cand.theol.
Cand.theol.
Candidatus theologiæ , Candidata theologiæ , abbreviated cand. theol. is an academic degree with a long tradition, awarded after a six year higher education in theology in Denmark and Norway. In Norway, the title has remained after the "Quality Reform", though it is equivalent to a Master of...
degree as well as undergoing the practical-theological seminary. He worked as a field priest during his compulsory military service from 1991 to 1992, and then became curate in Gjerpen
Gjerpen
Gjerpen is a former township which is now part of the municipality of Skien, in Telemark county, Norway.-Location:The parish of Gjerpen was established as a municipality January 1, 1838 . According to the 1835 census the municipality had a population of 4,381. Gjerpen was located east of the city...
. In 2005 he was promoted to vicar in Borgestad
Borgestad
Borgestad is a Norwegian shipping, industry and real estate company. It operates 11 open hatch bulk carriers and one Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel. It also owns a shopping centre in Bytom, Poland and a housing complex at Borgestadholmen...
in Skien
Skien
' 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....
.
Bekkevold became involved in politics as a member of Skien city council from 1999 to 2009, the last two years in the executive committee. From 2003 to 2007 he was also a member of 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:...
county council
County council (Norway)
A County Council is the highest governing body of the county municipalities in Norway. The county council sets the scope of the county municipal activity. The council is led by a chairman or county mayor...
. He chaired the local chapter from his party from 2007 to 2008, and the regional chapter in Telemark from 2008. He was elected to the Parliament of Norway from Telemark in 2009
Norwegian parliamentary election, 2009
The 2009 parliamentary election was held in Norway on 14 September 2009. Elections in Norway are held on a Monday in September, usually the second or third Monday, as determined by the king. Early voting was possible between 10 August and 11 September 2009, while some municipalities held open...
. He became a member of the Standing Committee on Local Government and Public Administration
Standing Committee on Local Government and Public Administration
The Standing Committee onLocal Government and Public Administration is a standing committee of the Parliament of Norway. It is responsible for policies relating to local government, regional and rural policy, immigration policy, housing policy, building and construction, national minorities, Sami...
, Like his entire party group, he also joined Israels Venner på Stortinget
Israels Venner på Stortinget
Friends of Israel in the Parliament of Norway is a pro-Israel caucus group consisting of members of the Parliament of Norway.-History:In 1974 the group constituted a majority in the Parliament of Norway for the first time, with 86 members among the 150 parliamentary representatives. All political...
.
Bekkevold has also been active in YMCA
YMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
/YWCA
YWCA
The YWCA USA is the United States branch of a women's membership movement that strives to create opportunities for women's growth, leadership and power in order to attain a common vision—to eliminate racism and empower women. The YWCA is a non-profit organization, the first of which was founded in...
locally. He was a board member of Teater Ibsen from 2004 to 2008, and the county library from 2007.