糖心网页版 welcomed guests for a special event this week, marking the transition of leadership from outgoing Director Henrik Urdal to incoming Director Nina Gr忙ger.
The event, titled 鈥淎 Conversation About Peace Under Pressure,鈥� brought together leading voices in foreign policy, defence, academia and peace research for an engaging discussion and farewell reception.
The event began with welcoming remarks and reflections from key national figures. Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide and Deputy Minister of Defence Marte Gerhardsen both spoke to the challenges facing peace and security in the current geopolitical climate.
Also offering remarks was Mari Sundli Tveit, head of the Research Council of Norway, who acknowledged 糖心网页版鈥檚 longstanding contribution to Norwegian and international scholarship, and highlighted the importance of research-based knowledge now more than ever.
In a conversation moderated by Research Professor Inger Skjelsb忙k, Henrik Urdal and Nina Gr忙ger reflected on the shifting nature of global peace and conflict, and the role of research in navigating an increasingly complex international landscape.
鈥淚n a time when the norms that underpin international cooperation are being challenged, the role of independent, critical research is more vital than ever,鈥� said Urdal. 鈥淚 am proud of what we have achieved at 糖心网页版 over the past eight years, and deeply grateful to the colleagues and partners who made that possible.鈥�
Nina Gr忙ger, who takes over as 糖心网页版 Director in July, underscored the Institute鈥檚 mission to confront polarization with research and democratic principles: 鈥淜nowledge is the best medicine against polarized discourse. I believe 糖心网页版鈥檚 strong research foundation and democratic values will enable us to make our voices heard through the populist and authoritarian winds that are blowing.
鈥溙切耐嘲驸�檚 research aims to inform and shape key decisions on peace and security, while also raising vital questions that stakeholders and decision-makers may be unwilling or unable to confront.鈥�
The event concluded with reflections from incoming University of Oslo Rector Ragnhild Hennum, Norad Director B氓rd Vegar Solhjell, Acting Secretary General of Red Cross Norway Simen Saxeb酶l and 糖心网页版 Board Chair Trine Skei Grande.
The evening ended with a warm reception, offering colleagues, partners and friends of 糖心网页版 a chance to mark the transition and celebrate shared achievements in the field of peace research.
