Norway in Lebanon

Opening of the Gullvåg Exhibition

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 11:41:05 GMT

Tuesday June 9 saw the opening of the exhibition "Terra Sancta" at the UNESCO Palace.

Biking in Beirut

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 11:59:18 GMT

The “Darreja” bicycling tour will highlight the benefits of bicycling in Beirut.

Norwegian Art to Lebanon

Mon, 31 May 2010 08:57:33 GMT

The exhibition “Terra Sancta” brings the works of Norwegian painter Håkon Gullvåg to Beirut.

Constitution Day in Ibl Es Saqi

Wed, 19 May 2010 13:29:25 GMT

May 17 the community of Ibl Es Saqi commemorated the Norwegian Constitution Day together with Norwegian UNIFIL veterans and their families.

Norwegian Video Art to Lebanon

Tue, 11 May 2010 11:29:31 GMT

May 14, Beirut gets a unique opportunity to explore contemporary Norwegian video art.

Aud Lise Norheim new Chief Negotiator

Wed, 05 May 2010 13:50:16 GMT

Ambassador Aud Lise Norheim has been appointed head of Norway's delegation to the UN climate negotiations.

Dramatic therapy in Roumieh prison

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 14:06:05 GMT

The Norwegian Ambassador together with five other women spent three hours with 35 inmates playing, joking, telling stories, interacting, listening, discussing and sympathizing.

Norwegian Dance to Lebanon

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 09:53:47 GMT

From April 16 to May 2 Beirut will witness its 6th BIPOD International Dance Festival. Norwegian performances are part of the programme.

Lebanese Norwegian Cultural Week

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 13:39:02 GMT

12-18 April the World Book Capital Beirut will be venue for the Lebanese Norwegian Cultural Week.

Help People Help Themselves

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 11:38:16 GMT

Together with UNICEF, Norway helps the community help itself in the Rashidiye refugee camp.

Armed with Hope

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 11:09:01 GMT

The Norwegian Palestine Committee handed over a copy of their latest book to the Ambassador.

Team Norway pledges to run

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:48:09 GMT

Team Norway will participate in the next Beirut International Marathon November 7.

Norway renews its commitment to battle area clearance

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 09:36:46 GMT

As a continuation of Norway’s long-term support to humanitarian mine action in South of Lebanon, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign affairs has granted over one million USD to Mines Advisory Group (MAG).

The OGL now under Norwegian Command

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 09:45:26 GMT

Observer Group Lebanon (OGL) is now under Norwegian command.

Nahr Al Bared Camp raising from the ashes

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:21:27 GMT

Refugees of the Nahr Al Bared camp can finally see with their own eyes their houses being rebuilt. After more than two years of planning, clearing and backfilling the area, reconstruction is now underway.

Ban on cluster munitions to enter into force

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:12:02 GMT

“At last it is clear that the convention banning cluster munitions will enter into force. With this convention, we have helped to make the world a safer place, strengthened humanitarian law and, not least, ensured that victims will receive assistance,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

Poetry Reading in Beirut

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 12:01:58 GMT

February 8 and 11, Norwegian poet Knut Ødegård read his poems in Beirut.

Norwegian experiences shaping Lebanese future

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:36:32 GMT

What will happen if Lebanon discovers exploitable oil and gas fields off its coast? Norwegian experiences might prove to be useful in shaping Lebanon’s future as an oil nation.

Poetry Reading

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:44:03 GMT

Poems by Norwegian poet Knut Ødegård will be read, by himself, Samira Aghacy and Fuad Rifka, in Norwegian, English translation and Arabic translation respectively, at the Orient-Institut Beirut, 8th of February.

The Ibsen Scholarships 2010

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 10:15:21 GMT

Scholarship funds amounting to NOK 1.000.000 (approx. 150.000 USD) will be awarded to Ibsen-related projects world wide.

Community Mothers

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:25:27 GMT

The ambassador visits important women-help-women project in the Nahr Al-Bared camp.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 11:48:17 GMT

Sunday the 13th of December the Norwegians in Lebanon came together for a pre-Christmas party. There were homemade Christmas-cookies and gløgg and lots of candy for the children.

Åsne Seierstad presented her work at Beirut’s International Book Fair

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 11:46:51 GMT

The Norwegian author Åsne Seierstad, presented her two books ”The Bookseller of Kabul” and ”The Angel of Grozny” at Beirut’s International Book Fair on Monday December 14th 2009.

Team Norway runs the Beirut Marathon

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:48:39 GMT

More than 200 participants in the 2009 Beirut Marathon donned Team Norway t-shirts with the Norwegian flag on the back and the logos of NPA, NRC, NORWAC and Right to Play proudly on the front.

Celebrating the achievement of youth

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:42:44 GMT

On the 19th of November 2009, Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) organized a ceremony for the 139 students graduating from the joint vocational training program class of 2008/2009.

NPA field visit: working to clear explosive remnants of war

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:36:14 GMT

On the 11th of November 2009, Ambassador Aud Lise Norheim visited Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) Mine Action Programme in southern Lebanon. During the visit, the deminers working on the ground presented their tools and methods. It was evident that the deminers were doing important work in the most precise and secure way possible.

Summer schools for child participation

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 10:59:17 GMT

The Sustainable Democracy Centre (SDC) aims high – to promote and support child participation in public policy making through focusing on citizenship, advocacy and peace at summer schools for youth who can bring their newly obtained knowledge and skills as well as their own thoughts and ideas back to their own communities after the summer school is over.

Women can do it!

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 10:44:46 GMT

Twenty-two women gathered for a three day workshop organized by the National Institute for social welfare and vocational rehabilitation (Bet Atfal Al Soumoud) supported by and in close collaboration with Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA). The Embassy was invited to participate in the opening day of the workshop held in Burj Al Shamali Palestinian camp in Tyre with participants recruited from the camp itself in addition to both Rashidieh and Al Bass camps.

Training teachers to transform conflict

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 10:27:08 GMT

Search for Common Ground (SFCG), a NGO founded in 1982, have taken a step back from their educational program where they teach students listening and problem-solving skills and are now training teachers. The project entitled "Transforming Conflict in Lebanon: A Societal Approach to Negotiation and Reconciliation" gives teachers the opportunity to partake in theoretical discussions and practical activities that allow for reflection. The Ambassador Aud Lise Norheim made a visit to the training at the National Orthodox School, Akkar, on July 22nd.

Visit to Norwegian Refugee Council shelter and education projects

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 09:24:41 GMT

The NRC, established in Lebanon in 2006, is currently focusing on education and the upgrading of shelters in a variety of regions in the north and south as well as Beirut. On July 17th, the NRC organized a visit for Ambassador Aud Lise Norheim to NRC shelter and education projects in the south.

Bringing youth together for peace

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:09:38 GMT

Youths from all over the world of different religious backgrounds participate in the International Work and Study Camp 2009 from July 3rd to 13th, in Syria and Lebanon. The Ambassador Aud Lise Norheim made a visit to the camp at Dhour El Chueir on July 9th and talked to the youths about her understanding of peace, drawing on her experience from South Africa and referring to the current situation in the Middle East.

Eyes of children

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:04:19 GMT

Children in Rashedieh refugee camp have been busy this spring photographing their lives and challenges in the camp. The beautiful, unique photographs have now become an interesting and touching exhibition.

Norwegian Constitution Day celebrated in Ebel el-Saki

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:27:34 GMT

The Norwegian constitution day has turned into a celebration for the whole village of Ebel el-Saki, South Lebanon. Yearly the Norwegian UNIFIL veterans return to the village where NORBATT had its head quarter from 1978 till 1998, and celebrate May 17 with the local community.

Mental health support for children and youth

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:27:24 GMT

Mental and psychological well being is a much neglected area in the Palestinian community in Lebanon. The Norwegian Ambassador believes it is important to get rid of the prejudices related to mental health. The 12th of May she opened a conference aiming at doing this.

Hundreds ran for the environment

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:27:33 GMT

Beirut Marathon: Several hundred met to participate, either walking or running, in the half marathon race Earth Race 09 Sunday April 26. Among them were the Norwegian ambassador and four Norwegian UN-soldiers. When the competitors crossed the finish line there were no medals. Instead they received a small paper bag with three seeds.

Bugge Wesseltoft

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:27:36 GMT

The Norwegian jazz musician, pianist and composer Bugge Wesseltoft will perform in Music Hall Beirut on May 10th.

Norwegian music students play concerts in South-Lebanon

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:27:38 GMT

Students from the Norwegian Academy of Music have toured, trained and performed in various Palestinian and Lebanese schools the last week. Their concerts include a variety of songs, from Norwegian folklore to the Beatles. This is the fifth year students from the academy travel to Lebanon to share their music.

Mine victims defeat diplomats in football match

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:27:42 GMT

The three ambassadors and their team from the Norwegian, Australian and British embassies met tough competition in a football match were they eventually went down and lost 2-1 to the mine victims’ team on Saturday 4. April at Insar Stadium, South Lebanon.

Visit in Nahr el-Bared

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:27:13 GMT

The Ambassador visited the Palestinian camp Nahr El Bared on 17^th of March 2009 and got a briefing on the reconstruction of the camp.

The Ambassador visits Wavel Camp and UNRWA schools

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:27:18 GMT

The 18th of February the Norwegian ambassador Aud Lise Norheim in the company of Ros Young from UNRWA made a visit to Wavel Refugee camp in Baalbek. The Ambassador also visited the newly opened UNRWA Al-Jarmaq School in Taalabaya in the Beqa'a Valley.

An overview of NGOs supported by the Norwegian MFA in Lebanon

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:27:19 GMT

The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affaires supports several international, Norwegian and local NGOs in Lebanon. Norway’s development cooperation with Lebanon has a long history of substantial allocations on one hand and active participation in the international development debate for Lebanon on the other hand.<p>

Dialogue essential for peace

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:27:11 GMT

Norwegian charge d'affaires Aud Lise Norheim stressed the importance of dialogue in a peace process during a lecture at the American University in Beirut. "All parties must be included", Norheim said.

Healthy games

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:27:16 GMT

Norwegian Chargé d'affaires Aud Lise Norheim visited Right To Play-projects in the Nahr al-Bared and Beddawi- camps. She also showed the Palestinian children that she hasn't forgotten how to play herself.

Norway to extend its Oil for Development cooperation with Lebanon

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:27:30 GMT

Norway and Lebanon launched an Oil for Development cooperation programme in 2007, and it has now been decided to extend this to 2009. The programme’s purpose is to support Lebanon in the management of the potential petroleum resources on its continental shelf, by assisting with the setting up of relevant institutions and the drafting of legislation, by training key personnel and by helping the ...

Ambassador Norheim presents her letter of credence to president Suleiman

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:27:27 GMT

Norway opens Embassy in Beirut

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:27:30 GMT

Norway opened a new Embassy in Beirut, replacing the office administratively managed by the Norwegian Embassy in Damascus.

Norway grants 7,5 million NOK to MAG

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:27:41 GMT

In an effort to restore livelihoods and promote post-conflict reconstruction and regeneration,
The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has granted Mines Advisory Group (MAG) 7.5 million NOK, worth approximately 1 050 000 USD.

- Safety is always the top priority

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:27:42 GMT

Due to the strict security routines of the Norwegian People's Aid mine and cluster removal programme, there have been no accidents among its staff. The NPA has four teams working with the removal of clusters in South Lebanon, providing valuable work and potentially saving hundreds of lives.

International convention banning cluster munitions signed in Oslo

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:29:40 GMT

125 states took part in the signing ceremony in Oslo City Hall on December 3rd. Four of them, including Norway, have already ratified it. Lebanon was the third country to sign the convention, following Norway, the host nation, and Laos, another country suffering heavily from remains of cluster munitions.

Lebanese youths travel to Norway Cup

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:29:57 GMT

A Lebanese football team left for Norway on July 25th to participate in this years Norway Cup. Ambassador Norheim was present at the airport to wish them all the best in the upcoming tournament.

Norwegian artist to film festival in Beirut

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:30:04 GMT

The Norwegian artist Per Platou will hold a lecture and present a screening of art videos at the experimental artfilmfestival FIFVC in Beirut. The festival will take place from the 6th to the 9th of May.

International première for Norwegian play

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:30:01 GMT

The Norwegian performance "The Society" looks for a connection between an everyday conflict among coffee-drinkers and terror. The international première takes place in Beirut on the 29th of April.

Norwegians celebrated new Embassy

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:30:00 GMT

The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Beirut arranged a reception for all the Norwegian citizens who live in Lebanon. The party was held to celebrate the new Embassy, which opened in october last year.

Syrian-Lebanese poet Adonis receives Bjørnson Prize

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:30:03 GMT

The Syrian-Lebanese poet Adonis received the Bjørnson prize in Molde, Norway, on the December 30th. The Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson Academy said in a statement that Adonis, which is a pseudonym for Ali Ahmed Said, received the prize for creating a new genre in poetry. Adonis builds bridges between the Arabic poetry tradition and the western ideas represented by Hegel, Nietzsche, Heidegger and poets s...