Kjell-Magne Bondevik – Keynote Speaker

Mr. Kjell-Magne Bondevik was born in Molde, Norway, on September 3, 1947. He is married to Bjørg Bondevik and they have three children. Mr. Bondevik is a Theological Candidate and became an ordained priest in the Lutheran Church of Norway in 1979.

Mr. Bondevik is the founder and former President of the Oslo Center that was established in January 2006.

Mr. Bondevik was appointed Special Humanitarian Envoy for the Horn of Africa by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan from February 2006 – August 2007, in response to the recurrent drought and food insecurity devasting the region.

Mr. Bondevik was Prime Minister of Norway from 1997-2000 and 2001-2005. He was Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1989-1990, Minister of Church and Education from 1983-1986 and State Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister from 1972-1973.

Mr. Bondevik was a member of Stortinget (the Norwegian Parliament) from 1973-2005 representing the Christian Democratic Party and served as the party’s parliamentary Leader from 1981-1983, 1986-1989, 1993-1997 and 2000-2001. Mr. Bondevik was the leader of the Christian Democratic Party from 1983-1995.

Mr. Bondevik is an Honorary Doctor of Law at Suffolk University in Boston, USA, Honorary Doctor of Politics at Wonkwang University in Seoul, Republic of Korea, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy at Kyung Hee University in Seoul, Republic of Korea and Honorary Professor at the Gumiljov University in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Mr. Bondevik is bearer of the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav, the Grand Cross of Latvia’s Terra Marina Order, the Grand Cross of Italia’s Order of Merit, the Grand Cross of Portugal’s Order of Merit and the Grand Cross of Guatemala’s Order of the Quetzal.