natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
My ambassador in Stockholm told me - and Sweden is our closest neighbour - that 80 percent of what he does is outside the realm of the Foreign Ministry.
My ambassador in Stockholm told me - and Sweden is our closest neighbour - that 80 percent of what he does is outside the realm of the Foreign Ministry.
Because he had understood what modern diplomacy is about.
Because he had understood what modern diplomacy is about.
It is not only taking signals from the Foreign Ministry, it’s also intermaking with culture, science, research – the whole public sphere.
It is not only taking signals from the Foreign Ministry, it’s also intermaking with culture, science, research – the whole public sphere.
And then again, defining national interests, the evidence for national interest in 2009 - it is a fascinating, but very complex task.
And then again, defining national interests, the evidence for national interest in 2009 - it is a fascinating, but very complex task.
And what we have to explain to people in our public debate is that the notion “far away” it is a place which no longer exists.
And what we have to explain to people in our public debate is that the notion “far away” it is a place which no longer exists.
If there is a flu outbreak in Mexico, if there is wider debate going on in Geneva, if there is a war in Afghanistan: It is far away, but it directly impacts our interests.
If there is a flu outbreak in Mexico, if there is wider debate going on in Geneva, if there is a war in Afghanistan: It is far away, but it directly impacts our interests.
So we have to argue why we engage in all these processes, because it is in Norway’s national interest.
So we have to argue why we engage in all these processes, because it is in Norway’s national interest.
Tax payers want to know.
Tax payers want to know.
Norway under this government as reached the target of allocating 1 percent of our GDP to development cooperation.
Norway under this government as reached the target of allocating 1 percent of our GDP to development cooperation.
It is a lot of money.
It is a lot of money.
Twenty six billion NOK - four billion US dollars every year.
Twenty six billion NOK - four billion US dollars every year.
Those are high figures.
Those are high figures.
But people ask to see the return of that money - see evidence of proper spending.
But people ask to see the return of that money - see evidence of proper spending.
And if we, for too long, cannot give you an answer to that question – we are in trouble.
And if we, for too long, cannot give you an answer to that question – we are in trouble.
In development cooperation, of course, there is the humanitarian dimension.
In development cooperation, of course, there is the humanitarian dimension.
When there is a crisis, a tsunami, or war or a national disaster, you intervene with tents and medicine, and food and water – and it costs money and you have to intervene.
When there is a crisis, a tsunami, or war or a national disaster, you intervene with tents and medicine, and food and water – and it costs money and you have to intervene.
The long term development aid is trickier.
The long term development aid is trickier.
And that has brought us into the area –well it has brought Norway into its emphasis on health.
And that has brought us into the area –well it has brought Norway into its emphasis on health.
Because we believe that health both has remarkable stories and evidence of globalisation.
Because we believe that health both has remarkable stories and evidence of globalisation.
If you talk to young audiences - at universities, high schools, and explain globalisation from the perspective of health, people understand.
If you talk to young audiences - at universities, high schools, and explain globalisation from the perspective of health, people understand.
Viruses, travelling, interconnections and so on.
Viruses, travelling, interconnections and so on.
But it is also an area where we can demonstrate that development cooperation has an effect.
But it is also an area where we can demonstrate that development cooperation has an effect.
That is why, over the last years, we have expanded our health effort – because we believe the evidence is good and the evidence is right.
That is why, over the last years, we have expanded our health effort – because we believe the evidence is good and the evidence is right.
Global health is more than an issue, it is about managing complex international relations.
Global health is more than an issue, it is about managing complex international relations.
When the new alliance for immunisation was formed –GAVI – the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization - that partnership was in search of governance.
When the new alliance for immunisation was formed –GAVI – the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization - that partnership was in search of governance.
I worked on this issue when I was at the WHO, then I joined government, and the Norwegian government supported that alliance.
I worked on this issue when I was at the WHO, then I joined government, and the Norwegian government supported that alliance.
Immunisation is an “easy” issue to support for the Norwegian society.
Immunisation is an “easy” issue to support for the Norwegian society.
Because all parents in this country immunise their children.
Because all parents in this country immunise their children.
It is something you can explain – every parent should have the right to do so.
It is something you can explain – every parent should have the right to do so.
The prime minister, Jens Stoltenberg, thought about the initiative from three perspectives: “I am a father myself and I know that immunisation is something we take for granted.
The prime minister, Jens Stoltenberg, thought about the initiative from three perspectives: “I am a father myself and I know that immunisation is something we take for granted.
Secondly, I am an economist and I believe this is a good preventive strategy.
Secondly, I am an economist and I believe this is a good preventive strategy.
And thirdly, I am a politician and I can do something about it”.
And thirdly, I am a politician and I can do something about it”.
So we have invested significantly in the GAVI project and immunization.
So we have invested significantly in the GAVI project and immunization.
The WHO -figures estimates that between 2007 - 2008 some 3.4 million deaths have been prevented through immunisation campaigns.
The WHO -figures estimates that between 2007 - 2008 some 3.4 million deaths have been prevented through immunisation campaigns.
In 2000, the commission of microeconomics and health - led be Jeff Sacks – noted the economic impact of saving lives through these strategies.
In 2000, the commission of microeconomics and health - led be Jeff Sacks – noted the economic impact of saving lives through these strategies.
This is evidence reached finance ministers, the presidents, prime ministers – beyond the health ministers.
This is evidence reached finance ministers, the presidents, prime ministers – beyond the health ministers.
Then of course, we have the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, in which we have also been engaging ourselves.
Then of course, we have the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, in which we have also been engaging ourselves.
And we have pushed for more results-based management at UNAIDS, and at other organizations.
And we have pushed for more results-based management at UNAIDS, and at other organizations.
Let me say that, unless you are able to demonstrate that you make a difference, support will erode.
Let me say that, unless you are able to demonstrate that you make a difference, support will erode.
But if you can demonstrate that you make a difference, not only will support for that specific intervention increase, it will increase for the whole area of health.
But if you can demonstrate that you make a difference, not only will support for that specific intervention increase, it will increase for the whole area of health.
Because we know off course that health is development.
Because we know off course that health is development.
When we talk about health capacity, training the right people, then it is more difficult to demonstrate immediate impact compared to the number of vaccines that we distribute.
When we talk about health capacity, training the right people, then it is more difficult to demonstrate immediate impact compared to the number of vaccines that we distribute.
But I believe that immunisation serves as a very good marker to explain why these other services have to be put in place.
But I believe that immunisation serves as a very good marker to explain why these other services have to be put in place.
Evidence of impact of our health initiatives is compelling:
Evidence of impact of our health initiatives is compelling:
The number of children being vaccinated, number of death from measles dropped by over 90 percent in sub-Saharan Africa.
The number of children being vaccinated, number of death from measles dropped by over 90 percent in sub-Saharan Africa.
You know many of you these results; we need to bring them out to offer hope and inspiration.
You know many of you these results; we need to bring them out to offer hope and inspiration.
But then there are of course critics.
But then there are of course critics.
Vertical versus horizontal intervention.
Vertical versus horizontal intervention.
My view has always been that you should not prefer the one over the other, you have to do both.
My view has always been that you should not prefer the one over the other, you have to do both.
And I think one can promote the other, and vice versa.
And I think one can promote the other, and vice versa.
So if you do these vertical interventions in the right way, you can also contribute to the broader systemic part of the way we do global health.
So if you do these vertical interventions in the right way, you can also contribute to the broader systemic part of the way we do global health.
By the way, I think that in this world competing for resources, WHO was put into a very strange position because it was a public organization, which should according to the book be financed by public money, so it would serve the common good.
By the way, I think that in this world competing for resources, WHO was put into a very strange position because it was a public organization, which should according to the book be financed by public money, so it would serve the common good.
When I was there, ten years ago, we were in the position that we reached the 50-50 state.
When I was there, ten years ago, we were in the position that we reached the 50-50 state.
Fifty percent regulatory contributions and fifty percent voluntary contributions.
Fifty percent regulatory contributions and fifty percent voluntary contributions.
Now I learned, I spoke to Director General Chan that they had 80 – 20 - Eighty percent voluntary.
Now I learned, I spoke to Director General Chan that they had 80 – 20 - Eighty percent voluntary.
Now, on the one hand – it is a great thing because regulatory contributions has not gone down, it is the voluntary has gone up.
Now, on the one hand – it is a great thing because regulatory contributions has not gone down, it is the voluntary has gone up.
WHO has been able to demonstrate that they can deliver, and that is a good thing.
WHO has been able to demonstrate that they can deliver, and that is a good thing.
The questionable thing is that you risk a biased approach to global health – money is put where investment yields highest return - and you will not get that broad consensus decision making only the WHO can deliver.
The questionable thing is that you risk a biased approach to global health – money is put where investment yields highest return - and you will not get that broad consensus decision making only the WHO can deliver.
But that is part, I think, of the challenge.
But that is part, I think, of the challenge.
We are also engaged actively in two of the Millennium Development Goals - 4 and 5 put together and 6.
We are also engaged actively in two of the Millennium Development Goals - 4 and 5 put together and 6.
Important progress has been made on MDG 6 on halting and reversing the spread of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
Important progress has been made on MDG 6 on halting and reversing the spread of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
Some success on MDG 4, on reducing child mortality.
Some success on MDG 4, on reducing child mortality.
In contrast, we have failed on MDG 5, on reducing maternal and infant mortality.
In contrast, we have failed on MDG 5, on reducing maternal and infant mortality.
But there again, I think that these new tools of health interventions give us a lot of lessons learnt and have improved our ability to come up with new approaches and policies.
But there again, I think that these new tools of health interventions give us a lot of lessons learnt and have improved our ability to come up with new approaches and policies.
We see now examples of what we do with Indian government, in some areas – that target and support to pregnant mother – making her go to the clinic and not give birth at home - has reduced mortality for both mothers and children in a way that is quite impressive and we should bring with us to other areas.
We see now examples of what we do with Indian government, in some areas – that target and support to pregnant mother – making her go to the clinic and not give birth at home - has reduced mortality for both mothers and children in a way that is quite impressive and we should bring with us to other areas.
I believe that this way of working on the issue of global health – taking it into development policies, taking it into foreign policy, making it part of that broader cycle of policies we need to see more of.
I believe that this way of working on the issue of global health – taking it into development policies, taking it into foreign policy, making it part of that broader cycle of policies we need to see more of.
With the new American administration I have noticed a willingness to focus more on health in its foreign policy agenda.
With the new American administration I have noticed a willingness to focus more on health in its foreign policy agenda.
I met Secretary Clinton last April, and we decided to increase our cooperation on child health, maternal health, women’s health.
I met Secretary Clinton last April, and we decided to increase our cooperation on child health, maternal health, women’s health.
And to bring that issue – not only into the health sector, but also into the human right sector.
And to bring that issue – not only into the health sector, but also into the human right sector.
As Norway and the US now has joined the Human Right Council.
As Norway and the US now has joined the Human Right Council.
So it is a new way of making these policies interventions into other areas, where they did not use to belong.
So it is a new way of making these policies interventions into other areas, where they did not use to belong.
When the foot and mouth disease broke out in Britain in 2000 it spread half around Europe.
When the foot and mouth disease broke out in Britain in 2000 it spread half around Europe.
Norway closed its borders to Sweden, for the first time since 1814.
Norway closed its borders to Sweden, for the first time since 1814.
I remember at that time, I was working with the Prime Minister, the decision to close the border was easy.
I remember at that time, I was working with the Prime Minister, the decision to close the border was easy.
But before we did it we said that opening it would be very hard.
But before we did it we said that opening it would be very hard.
Because then you have make sure that you can say that now everything is completely safe.
Because then you have make sure that you can say that now everything is completely safe.
Let me also mention the SARS epidemic: When Dr. Brundtland issued travel advices concerning strategic cities around the world, it was a highly sensitive issue.
Let me also mention the SARS epidemic: When Dr. Brundtland issued travel advices concerning strategic cities around the world, it was a highly sensitive issue.
It illustrates how health all of a sudden can come to the table of foreign ministers.
It illustrates how health all of a sudden can come to the table of foreign ministers.
When I became foreign minister, I wanted also to se foreign policy through a “health lens”, and in 2006 I invited colleagues from six other countries – which were strategically chosen – France, Brazil, Indonesia, South Africa, Senegal and Thailand.
When I became foreign minister, I wanted also to se foreign policy through a “health lens”, and in 2006 I invited colleagues from six other countries – which were strategically chosen – France, Brazil, Indonesia, South Africa, Senegal and Thailand.
We had all regions present.
We had all regions present.
And we tried to create a network on foreign policy and health.
And we tried to create a network on foreign policy and health.
Since then, we have had one big meeting at the UN General Assembly – with around fifty foreign ministers, coming from all over the world to discuss these themes, and the experts of these seven countries are meeting regularly to study more in depth how foreign policy makers will meet issues of health in their daily work.
Since then, we have had one big meeting at the UN General Assembly – with around fifty foreign ministers, coming from all over the world to discuss these themes, and the experts of these seven countries are meeting regularly to study more in depth how foreign policy makers will meet issues of health in their daily work.
And we can do that because we have more evidence of what is happening.
And we can do that because we have more evidence of what is happening.
Right now for example, at the World Health Assembly, the virus sharing issue is there - a very key issue.
Right now for example, at the World Health Assembly, the virus sharing issue is there - a very key issue.
God knows it is foreign policy related, it is security related.
God knows it is foreign policy related, it is security related.
Because those countries who refuse to give up their viruses to a greater common good, they don’t do it because they simply want to sit on it, but they want their share of the value.
Because those countries who refuse to give up their viruses to a greater common good, they don’t do it because they simply want to sit on it, but they want their share of the value.
I think it is a highly appropriate issue to address.
I think it is a highly appropriate issue to address.
But it is being cast into something which is foreign security policy and we have to look into it.
But it is being cast into something which is foreign security policy and we have to look into it.
I think finance ministers should take a broader approach to health issues, not only seeing health as an expenditure, but as an investment.
I think finance ministers should take a broader approach to health issues, not only seeing health as an expenditure, but as an investment.
But to do so, they need to have the right evidence.
But to do so, they need to have the right evidence.
So let me conclude simply by saying that when you discuss evidence during this seminar you will, and you should, focus on the right evidence for interventions and for public policy in health.
So let me conclude simply by saying that when you discuss evidence during this seminar you will, and you should, focus on the right evidence for interventions and for public policy in health.
And I think you are leading the way both in a very important and complicated complex methodology issue.
And I think you are leading the way both in a very important and complicated complex methodology issue.
What I try to bring to the discussion is to say that others, outside the health sector per se need that evidence as well.
What I try to bring to the discussion is to say that others, outside the health sector per se need that evidence as well.
We need a cross sectoral approach, and we need to approach evidence from a very broad perspective in the way we formulate our policies.
We need a cross sectoral approach, and we need to approach evidence from a very broad perspective in the way we formulate our policies.
I am grateful that the health sector has led the way and that you are inspiring other sectors.
I am grateful that the health sector has led the way and that you are inspiring other sectors.
Statement on global health and foreign policy at the Campbell conference
Innlegg om global helse og utenrikspolitikk på Campbell-konferansen
Norway deplores Israel’s expropriation of land in the West Bank
Norge tar avstand fra israelsk ekspropriering på Vestbredden
Elisabeth Rasmusson congratulated on landing top UN job
Gratulerer Elisabeth Rasmusson med toppjobb i FN
Elisabeth Rasmusson has been appointed Assistant Executive Director in the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).
Elisabeth Rasmusson er utnevnt som assisterende direktør i Verdens matvareprogram (WFP).
In her new position she will be one of four top managers under WFP Executive Director Ertharin Cousin.
Den nye stillingen gjør henne til én av fire toppledere i FNs matevareprogram under direktør Ertharin Cousin.
International Development Minister Heikki Eidsvoll Holmås commented, “I congratulate Elisabeth Rasmusson on getting this job.
– Jeg gratulerer Elisabeth Rasmusson med jobben.
The World Food Programme saves lives.
FNs matevareprogram redder liv.
It brings food to people suffering from need, war and famine.
De får fram mat til mennesker som opplever nød, krig og sult.
The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organisation and plays a key role in the fight against hunger and malnutrition.
Matvareprogrammet er verdens største humanitære organisasjon og sentral i kampen mot sult og underernæring.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide commented, “I am pleased that Ms Rasmusson will be leading this work.
– Jeg er glad for at Rasmusson skal lede dette arbeidet.
“The World Food Programme distributes food, food vouchers and cash to around 100 million people all over the world every year.
– Matvareprogrammet distribuerer årlig mat, matkuponger og kontanter til omlag 100 millioner mennesker over hele verden.
It also provides logistical assistance to other humanitarian organisations, in the form of aircraft, ships and trucks,” said Mr Holmås.
De bidrar med logistikk som fly, båter og biler også til andre humanitære organisasjoner, sier Holmås.
“Partnerships with other multilateral organisations, civil society organisations and the private sector are important for the World Food Programme to be able to meet its goals,” said Mr Eide.
– Partnerskap med andre multilaterale organisasjoner, sivilt samfunnsorganisasjoner og privat sektor er viktig for å nå Matvareprogrammets mål, sier Eide.
Ms Rasmusson has extensive international experience.
Rasmusson har lang internasjonal erfaring.
She has been Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council since 2008.
Hun har vært generalsekretær i Flyktninghjelpen siden 2008.
She has previously worked as field coordinator for the UN in Angola, delegate for the International Committee of the Red Cross in Colombia, deputy head of the OSCE mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Norwegian Refugee Council’s representative in Georgia.
Rasmusson har tidligere vært feltkoordinator for FN i Angola, delegat for Den internasjonale Røde Kors-komiteen i Colombia, nestleder i OSSEs sendelag til Bosnia og Hercegovina og stedlig representant for Flyktninghjelpen i Georgia.
She has also been a member of the CERF Advisory Group.
Hun har også sittet i rådet til FNs nødhjelpsfond (Cerf).
The World Food Programme has an annual budget of around NOK 25 billion.
Matvareprogrammet har et årlig budsjett på rundt 25 milliarder kroner.
Norway provides around NOK 250 million a year to assist in addressing crisis situations all over the world.
Organisasjonen mottar årlig omlag 250 millioner kroner fra Norge for å bistå i krisesituasjoner over hele verden.
It is regarded as one of the most effective reform-minded UN organisations.
Matvareprogrammet anses som en av de mest effektive og reformvillige FN-organisasjonene.