Jonas Gahr Støre
Encyclopedia
Jonas Gahr Støre is the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, having been appointed to Jens Stoltenberg's second cabinet
on 17 October 2005. He represents the Norwegian Labour Party
.
. He later studied political science at the Sciences Po in Paris. He enrolled as a PhD
student at the London School of Economics
, but withdrew after a few weeks, as he decided not to pursue an academic career.
He started his professional career as a teaching fellow in the Harvard Negotiation Project at Harvard Law School
in 1986. This was followed by a position as researcher at the Norwegian School of Management
(1986–1989) and special adviser at the Norwegian Office of the Prime Minister
from 1989 to 1995. He was Director General for International Affairs at the Office of the Prime Minister from 1995 to 1998, and he subsequently held the position of ambassador
in the Norwegian Delegation to the United Nations Office at Geneva
.
His first major international position was as Executive Director
(Chief of Staff) in the World Health Organization
under the leadership of Gro Harlem Brundtland
. This was followed by a year as State Secretary and Chief of Staff for Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg
in the first cabinet Stoltenberg
from 2000 to 2001. Before taking up the position as Foreign Minister he was Executive Chairman of the think tank
ECON Analyse from 2002 to 2003 and Secretary General of the Norwegian Red Cross from 2003 to 2005.
has said that it isn't really hard for Foreign Ministers in general to win popularity surveys. In the 2009 General Election in Norway, Støre was elected to the Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget), representing Oslo. Among political commentators in Norway, Støre is considered a potential future Prime Minister.
Støre is a strong supporter of a multicultural Norway. He coined the expression "the new We" to describe this, and states as a goal a society where we can "live side by side with hijab
and bikini
, and celebrate Christmas
and Id
". He is also a multi-millionaire, with a fortune of around 40 million NOK
in 2008.
in Kabul
, Afghanistan
, where Støre was staying. Støre was unhurt in the incident, which killed six people, including Norwegian journalist
Carsten Thomassen
, who was part of Støre's delegation. United Nations
Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon
stated that Støre was the target of the attack, but this has been rejected by a Taliban spokesperson.
The Norwegian
Prime Minister
Jens Stoltenberg
condemned the attack on the Hotel, saying that: “This is an unacceptable attack against civilians and another strike against the process towards peace and stability in Afghanistan
. Now we are focusing on giving the injured the needed medical treatment as fast as possible.”
Støre commented on the death of Dagbladet
journalist Carsten Thomassen
, saying: “Carsten was unique among Norwegian journalists. He combined solid journalistic work with integrity and great knowledge. He has followed me on many journeys and he was until the end dedicated to his work as a journalist. All those who were together with Carsten in Kabul
on 14 January are filled with grief and despair. My thoughts are with his closest relatives and all of his friends and colleagues.”
Støre cancelled the rest of his visit to Afghanistan the day after the attack.
, the perpetrator of the 2011 Norway attacks
, stated that Støre was one of his main targets.
Second cabinet Stoltenberg
Stoltenberg's Second Cabinet is the current government of Norway. Appointed on 17 October 2005, it is a coalition between the Labour Party, the Socialist Left Party and the Centre Party, known as the Red–Green Coalition. The cabinet has ten members from the Labour Party, five from the Socialist...
on 17 October 2005. He represents the Norwegian Labour Party
Norwegian Labour Party
The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in Norway. It is the senior partner in the current Norwegian government as part of the Red-Green Coalition, and its leader, Jens Stoltenberg, is the current Prime Minister of Norway....
.
Personal life
Støre is the son of ship-owner Ulf Jonas Støre and Unni Gahr. He attended Berg School in Oslo followed by naval officer training at the Royal Norwegian Naval AcademyNorwegian Naval Academy
- External links :*...
. He later studied political science at the Sciences Po in Paris. He enrolled as a PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
student at the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
, but withdrew after a few weeks, as he decided not to pursue an academic career.
He started his professional career as a teaching fellow in the Harvard Negotiation Project at Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it is the oldest continually-operating law school in the United States and is home to the largest academic law library in the world. The school is routinely ranked by the U.S...
in 1986. This was followed by a position as researcher at the Norwegian School of Management
Norwegian School of Management
BI Norwegian Business School former name BI Norwegian School of Management is the largest business school in Norway and the second largest in all of Europe. BI has in total 6 campuses with the main one located in Oslo.-History:...
(1986–1989) and special adviser at the Norwegian Office of the Prime Minister
Norwegian Office of the Prime Minister
The Norwegian Office of the Prime Minister is a political and bureaucratic office that assists the Cabinet of Norway and the Prime Minister of Norway in the leadership of the Cabinet and Government. It has since 2005 been led by Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg . Minister and Chief of Staff is Karl...
from 1989 to 1995. He was Director General for International Affairs at the Office of the Prime Minister from 1995 to 1998, and he subsequently held the position of ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
in the Norwegian Delegation to the United Nations Office at Geneva
United Nations Office at Geneva
The United Nations Office at Geneva is the second-largest of the four major office sites of the United Nations...
.
His first major international position was as Executive Director
Executive director
Executive director is a term sometimes applied to the chief executive officer or managing director of an organization, company, or corporation. It is widely used in North American non-profit organizations, though in recent decades many U.S. nonprofits have adopted the title "President/CEO"...
(Chief of Staff) in the World Health Organization
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
under the leadership of Gro Harlem Brundtland
Gro Harlem Brundtland
Gro Harlem Brundtland is a Norwegian Social democratic politician, diplomat, and physician, and an international leader in sustainable development and public health. She served three terms as Prime Minister of Norway , and has served as the Director General of the World Health Organization...
. This was followed by a year as State Secretary and Chief of Staff for Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg
Jens Stoltenberg
is a Norwegian politician, leader of the Norwegian Labour Party and the current Prime Minister of Norway. Having assumed office on 17 October 2005, Stoltenberg previously served as Prime Minister from 2000 to 2001....
in the first cabinet Stoltenberg
First cabinet Stoltenberg
Stoltenberg's First Cabinet governed Norway between March 17, 2000 and October 19, 2001. The Labour Party cabinet was led by Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg. It had the following composition.-Cabinet members:-State Secretaries:-References:...
from 2000 to 2001. Before taking up the position as Foreign Minister he was Executive Chairman of the think tank
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
ECON Analyse from 2002 to 2003 and Secretary General of the Norwegian Red Cross from 2003 to 2005.
Political career
In 2005, Støre was appointed Foreign Minister. Numerous polls have shown that Støre is the most popular member of the current government, although political scientist Frank AarebrotFrank Aarebrot
Frank Henrik Aarebrot is a Norwegian political scientist from Bergen. He is professor of comparative politics at the University of Bergen and professor II of democracy development at the Örebro University. He regularly lectures at Institut des Sciences Politiques and at the Humboldt University...
has said that it isn't really hard for Foreign Ministers in general to win popularity surveys. In the 2009 General Election in Norway, Støre was elected to the Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget), representing Oslo. Among political commentators in Norway, Støre is considered a potential future Prime Minister.
Støre is a strong supporter of a multicultural Norway. He coined the expression "the new We" to describe this, and states as a goal a society where we can "live side by side with hijab
Hijab
The word "hijab" or "'" refers to both the head covering traditionally worn by Muslim women and modest Muslim styles of dress in general....
and bikini
Bikini
The bikini is typically a women's two-piece swimsuit. One part of the attire covers the breasts and the other part covers the crotch and part of or the entire buttocks, leaving an uncovered area between the two. Merriam–Webster describes the bikini as "a woman's scanty two-piece bathing suit" or "a...
, and celebrate Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
and Id
Eid ul-Fitr
Eid ul-Fitr, Eid al-Fitr, Id-ul-Fitr, or Id al-Fitr , often abbreviated to Eid, is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting . Eid is an Arabic word meaning "festivity," while Fiṭr means "breaking the fast"...
". He is also a multi-millionaire, with a fortune of around 40 million NOK
Norwegian krone
The krone is the currency of Norway and its dependent territories. The plural form is kroner . It is subdivided into 100 øre. The ISO 4217 code is NOK, although the common local abbreviation is kr. The name translates into English as "crown"...
in 2008.
2008 Kabul Serena Hotel attack
On 14 January 2008, a suicide bomber struck the Serena HotelSerena Hotel
-Overview:The Serena Hotels Group is one of 96 companies that makes up the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development , the for-profit arm of the Aga Khan Development Network . The Group trades under the name Tourism Promotion Services . The company is listed on the Nairobi Stock Exchange , where it...
in Kabul
Kabul
Kabul , spelt Caubul in some classic literatures, is the capital and largest city of Afghanistan. It is also the capital of the Kabul Province, located in the eastern section of Afghanistan...
, Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
, where Støre was staying. Støre was unhurt in the incident, which killed six people, including Norwegian journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
Carsten Thomassen
Carsten Thomassen (journalist)
Carsten Thomassen was a respected Norwegian journalist, political commentator and war correspondent for the Norwegian daily newspaper Dagbladet. He had earlier covered the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake from Thailand and Indonesia...
, who was part of Støre's delegation. United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon
Ban Ki-moon
Ban Ki-moon is the eighth and current Secretary-General of the United Nations, after succeeding Kofi Annan in 2007. Before going on to be Secretary-General, Ban was a career diplomat in South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the United Nations. He entered diplomatic service the year he...
stated that Støre was the target of the attack, but this has been rejected by a Taliban spokesperson.
The Norwegian
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Norway
The Prime Minister of Norway is the political leader of Norway and the Head of His Majesty's Government. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Stortinget , to their political party, and ultimately the...
Jens Stoltenberg
Jens Stoltenberg
is a Norwegian politician, leader of the Norwegian Labour Party and the current Prime Minister of Norway. Having assumed office on 17 October 2005, Stoltenberg previously served as Prime Minister from 2000 to 2001....
condemned the attack on the Hotel, saying that: “This is an unacceptable attack against civilians and another strike against the process towards peace and stability in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
. Now we are focusing on giving the injured the needed medical treatment as fast as possible.”
Støre commented on the death of Dagbladet
Dagbladet
Dagbladet is Norway's second largest tabloid newspaper, and the third largest newspaper overall with a circulation of 105,255 copies in 2009, 18,128 papers less than in 2008. The editor in chief is Lars Helle....
journalist Carsten Thomassen
Carsten Thomassen (journalist)
Carsten Thomassen was a respected Norwegian journalist, political commentator and war correspondent for the Norwegian daily newspaper Dagbladet. He had earlier covered the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake from Thailand and Indonesia...
, saying: “Carsten was unique among Norwegian journalists. He combined solid journalistic work with integrity and great knowledge. He has followed me on many journeys and he was until the end dedicated to his work as a journalist. All those who were together with Carsten in Kabul
Kabul
Kabul , spelt Caubul in some classic literatures, is the capital and largest city of Afghanistan. It is also the capital of the Kabul Province, located in the eastern section of Afghanistan...
on 14 January are filled with grief and despair. My thoughts are with his closest relatives and all of his friends and colleagues.”
Støre cancelled the rest of his visit to Afghanistan the day after the attack.
2011 Norway Massacre
Anders Behring BreivikAnders 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 2011 Norway attacks
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....
, stated that Støre was one of his main targets.