February 14, 2025

Issue #26

We hope you enjoy this brief look into recent developments in Norway and at the Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C. If you are not subscribed but would like to be, please add your contact information to our Google Form. We also recommend following our social media accounts (links above).

Cover art: Haakon Lundkvist, VisitNorthwest.no.

The Embassy co-hosted an event at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center for the International Week of Women and Girls in Science on February 10. The afternoon kicked off with remarks from Ambassador Anniken Huitfeldt, who highlighted the achievements and ongoing challenges women in science face in Norway.

The event featured two engaging panel discussions. The first, "Breaking the Ceiling," focused on overcoming barriers in science. It included insights from Ambassador Huitfeldt and trainee Helal Said on navigating these challenges at different career stages. The second panel, "Science Diplomacy in Different Cultures," explored the impact of culture on global scientific collaboration, with insights shared by Hanne Monclair, our Counselor for Science, Technology, and Higher Education.

It was an afternoon full of inspiring discussions, and we remain hopeful that more women continue to excel, succeed, and make strides in science.
 
Our thanks to the Embassy of Finland, the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, the Embassy of Poland, and the Women in Science Diplomacy Association!

Photo: Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C. (Knut Visdal)

This morning, the Embassy welcomed Norwegian expert on Russia Dr. Tor Bukkvoll as he presented his book, Spetsnaz: A History of the Soviet and Russian Special Forces.

Dr. Bukkvoll is a senior research fellow at the Norwegian Defense Research Establishment in Norway. A specialist in Russian and Ukrainian security and defense policies, he has previously been a visiting research fellow at the University of Oxford and the Naval Postgraduate School.

In Spetsnaz, Dr. Bukkvoll presents the first in-depth history of the Soviet and Russian special operations forces, from their establishment until today. He focuses on three broad topics: Soviet and later Russian thinking on the use of these forces; the actual process of constructing them and how this was facilitated or hampered by other agencies of the Soviet and Russian states; and the use of them in combat. 

The event was moderated by Norwegian Defense Research Establishment Principal Researcher Frank Brundtland Steder.

Photo: Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Sámi National Day takes place each year on February 6. The Sámi are an indigenous people of Norway and other nearby Arctic countries, and the holiday marks the day when the first Sámi Assembly was held in 1917.
 
As part the Norwegian chairship of the Arctic Council, Norway has sought to strengthen cooperation with the Saami Council – a voluntary organization that works on matters of culture, the environment, and human rights.

We hope you had a happy Sámi National Day. Lihkku beivviin!

Photo: Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Norway's Ridderrennet has a sister program here in the U.S. called Ski for Light. It enables visually and mobility-impaired people to enjoy cross-country skiing. Our Ambassador, Anniken Huitfeldt, recently had the experience of guiding another Norwegian, Aslaug, on the trail.

This year, Ski for Light celebrated its 50th anniversary in Utah. The 2025 program took place on the same tracks where Norwegians won many gold medals during the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. (They'll be hosting the Olympic Games again in 2034!)

Ski for Light also holds an annual "Norway Night," thanks to its Norwegian roots. There, guests arrive in Norwegian ski clothes, and the group commemorates the Norwegian-Americans who started it all 50 years ago.

Thanks to the whole crew for their incredible work – and thanks to our Honorary Consul Lars Johansen for showing the Ambassador around the great state of Utah!

Photo: Ambassador Huitfeldt

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In addition, the Embassy has made a short video on the ways skiing has strengthened U.S.-Norwegian bonds. It is part of a series commemorating 200 years of emigration from Norway to the United States. Click here to watch it!