“Invandrene: Refugees and Immigration in Norway” is our topic for our March meeting. Our distinguished speakers are Knut Vollebaek, former Ambassador of Norway to the United States (2001-2007) and his wife Ellen Vollebaek. They will share with us their perspective on how Norway has handled an influx of refugees into Norway.
Ambassador Vollebaek has also served on the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, and is currently serving on the Board of Commissioners on Missing Persons. He has considerable experience observing how other countries handle refugees, as conduits and as final destinations.
Ellen Vollebaek has been a Senior Advisor to the Research Council of Norway, a government funded national strategic and funding agency for research activities, and a chief source of advice and input into research policy for the Norwegian Government.
Both Vollebaeks are actively involved through their church community to provide services and experience to refugees seeking to immigrate into Norway. This will be a fascinating inside view from diplomats who have influenced public policy, and actually worked with refugees.
We will 30 minutes of their time, followed by questions/answers from the audience for another 10-15 minutes.
