Lecture on Conflict Resolution in Ukraine

Dr. Steinar Bryn shared his wisdom, thoughts and ideas regarding the complicated war on Ukraine on March 9, 2023. Several students—studying political science, social work as well as our two newly selected Peace Scholars— joined us in this important conversation.

Bryn has been a longtime friend of Augsburg University, especially due to his important work at the Nansen Center for Peace and Dialogue in Lillehammer (Norway), and has been instrumental in the Peace Scholars program (including our 5 sister colleges founded by Norwegian immigrants) for several years. Back in 2017, our Interfaith Scholars participated in dialogue training taught by Steinar Bryn as well.

He graduated from the University of Wisconsin and obtained a Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of Minnesota. He has been connected to the Nansen Academy in Lillehammer throughout his working life, serving as a teacher, director and research scholar. From 1996 he took charge of Nansen Dialog, a dialogue and reconciliation project directed toward the Western Balkans. In that role, he facilitated several hundred dialogue meetings between people in deep conflict.

Dr. Steinar Bryn is recognized as one of the most experienced dialogue facilitators in Europe.

We had the pleasure of hosting the NORAM delegation to Augsburg’s campus early December 2022.

Noram (Norway America Association) is a non-profit membership association whose purpose is to strengthen the bonds between Norway and North America. The historical and political bonds between Norway, the United States and Canada are strong, and we have a shared value basis. NORAM works to ensure that new generations get to know each other on both sides of the Atlantic, including through study and research stays for Norwegians and North Americans over longer periods of time. For over 100 years, NORAM has strived for transatlantic cooperation and helped more than 5,000 students with scholarships and advising. 

If you are interested in checking out their resources (or applying for scholarships) please visit the Noram website.

On December 9, 2022, Paul Pribbenow had the privilege of conferring upon King Harald V an honorary degree from Augsburg University in recognition of His Majesty’s abiding support of Augsburg and our sister Norwegian-American colleges. It was a special moment to visit the castle in Oslo.

(Photo credit: Her Majesty Queen Sonja)

We are honored to say that Queen Sonja visited Minneapolis as Norway House opened its expansion on Franklin Avenue earlier this Fall 2022.

Our Norwegian exchange students had the honor of not just participating AND volunteering for the event, but also had a chance to meet a few other Norwegian Stars, like Morten Ramm og Erik Solbakken. As well as Mayor Jacob Frey. What a great opportunity for them!

JOIN US NOVEMBER 10, 2021

MIGRATION and IDENTITY

From 10.00 – 16.30

Curt Rice graduated from Augsburg in 1984, and has since then dedicated his life to education.  Curt and his wife, Tove Dahl (also an Augsburg alum and Dean of Skogfjorden, Concordia Language Village) have lived in Norway for decades, served in many higher education institutions, including OsloMet and the University of Tromsø.  Curt is ending his time at OsloMet to serve as the new rector of Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU).

Augsburg’s Norway Hub and the ISSS office always look to create new and maintain established partnerships with Norwegian institutions.  We hope to add NMBU to our list of partners in the years to come.

Congratulations, Curt!

Media Release Link

POSTPONED until further notice due to COVID-19

Thinking about studying in Norway in the near future?

Norway House is welcoming quests speakers to discuss higher education opportunities in Norway. Among them is the current Norwegian Ambassador to the USA, Kåre R. Aas, who will be promoting the possibilities and benefits of higher education in Norway.

This panel discussion is free and will take place at Norway House, Monday, March 16th, between 4:30 and 6:30. If you are interested in going, please sign up on the Facebook event page or by RSVP-ing on the Norway House event page (info@norwayhouse.org).

Augsburg University has many Norwegian partners that offer semester long exchanges. Please check in with the CGEE office on campus to design your own unique Norway study abroad experience.

Gerda Fuglerud is the CEO and owner of OLEANA, an award winning Norwegian knitwear brand, known for its highly artistic design, incorporating Norwegian flora, geography and a long time history of the art of knitting.

On Thursday, February 13 from 12 noon until 1 pm, Gerda, who has a an MBA specializing in Luxury and Design Management, will provide a lecture for the students and faculty in the Art and Design Department (see poster invitation).

We also want to take this opportunity to thank Norway House for their partnership in bringing contemporary Norway to campus. During Gerda’s visit to the Twin-Cities, she will hold an array of events at Norway House between February 13^th and 15^th, with pop-up shops and gallery talks.

The event below is open to the Augsburg community, and we invite you to join us in welcoming Gerda and OLEANA.

The Saami National Day falls on February 6^th, and is celebrated in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia, where the indigenous people of Lapland live today. A tradition since 1993, the Saami people’s day commemorates the first Saami congressional gathering held in Trondheim in 1917, a year that marks the first time the Saami people started collaborating for a common causes across the national borders that split their indigenous homeland.

Today, this national event is celebrated by raising the Saami flag and holding formal celebrations. Some areas—with a higher population of Saami people—extend the celebrations to include Saami themed events in the week leading up to as well as on the national day. One of the most notable events are hosted in Tromsø, Norway, where they celebrate the world championship in reindeer racing (see photo below).

Jokkmokk (Sweden), Oulu (Finland), and Murmansk (Russia) have also traditionally hosted bigger events with Saami themes, emphasizing language conservation, and culture and discrimination issues, aiming to bring awareness to, preserve, and promote the indigenous culture and history.