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March 6, 2014

Former prime minister of Norway to visit Stanford as this year's Haas Center Distinguished Visitor

By Virginia Bock

Former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland will spend spring quarter at Stanford as this year's Mimi and Peter E. Haas Distinguished Visitor. (Photo: Anne Elisabeth Scheen / Creative Commons)

Gro Harlem Brundtland, the former prime minister of Norway, will deliver the Haas Center for Public Service's Distinguished Visitor lecture on March 12. Brundtland, the first woman and youngest person to hold the office of prime minister of Norway, will remain on campus throughout spring quarter as the Mimi and Peter E. Haas Distinguished Visitor at the Haas Center. During her time at Stanford she will lead seminars and meet with students and faculty.

"We believe that public service is an essential part of our students' experience at Stanford," Provost John Etchemendy said. "Dr. Brundtland is internationally recognized for her contributions as a public servant, and both students and faculty will be eager to draw upon her experience and example as we prepare the next generation of civic leaders to tackle global issues."

Brundtland, a physician, scientist and former U.N. special envoy on climate change, currently serves as the deputy chair of The Elders, a group of world leaders convened in 2007 by the late Nelson Mandela and others to tackle some of the world's toughest issues. Chaired by Kofi Annan, former U.N. secretary-general, the group includes such renowned international figures as former president of Finland and Nobel peace laureate Martti Ahtisaari, former president of Brazil Fernando Cardoso, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, former President of Ireland Mary Robinson and Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa.

"The Elders were invited by Nelson Mandela to offer our collective influence and experience to support peace-building, help address major causes of human suffering and promote the shared interests of humanity," Brundtland said. "I have been honored to serve in this role and look forward to bringing the insights I have gained to the Stanford community."

The Distinguished Visitor program, endowed by Mimi and Peter E. Haas, brings to Stanford individuals who have had significant public impact at home or abroad and who have distinguished themselves in public service.

Brundtland's lecture on March 12 is titled "From Public Health to Sustainable Development in an Interconnected World: A Life in Public Service." The event, which will begin with a reception at 4 p.m. in Paul Brest Hall, is free and open to the public. However, RSVPs are required

"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Brundtland for an extended visit," said Tom Schnaubelt, executive director of the Haas Center. "She has a long history of leadership on global issues, from promoting health as a basic human right to putting sustainable development on the international agenda."

Established in 1985, the Haas Center for Public Service is committed to fostering a just and sustainable world through service, scholarship and community partnerships.

Virginia Bock is communications associate for the Haas Center for Public Service.

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Contact

Virginia Bock, Haas Center for Public Service: (650) 723-0137, vgbock@stanford.edu

 

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