Kjell Magne Bondevik

Former Prime Minister of Norway

Mr. Bondevik grew up at the Rauma Christian County in Molde and with an uncle, Kjell Bondevik, who was active in the Christian Democratic Party from the 1950’s to 70’s. This kind of environment fostered political and religious interests. Mr. Bondevik joined the Christian Democratic Party in 1965 and became the leader of that party’s youth organization in 1968. In 1975, he became a theological candidate from MF Norwegian School of Theology. In 1979 he was ordained as pastor in the Church of Norway.

In 1983 Mr. Bondevik became the leader of the Christian Democratic Party and from 1985 to 1986 he served as deputy to the Prime Minister. In 1989 he was appointed minister of foreign affairs where he would establish many international contacts and remain active in human rights efforts.

In 1997 Mr. Bondevik would become Prime Minister of Norway and maintain that position until March of 2000. Again, in October of 2001, he would serve as Prime Minister until 2005. Before the 2005 elections Mr. Bondevik declined re-nomination and left Norwegian Politics.

Although Mr. Bondevik left the Norwegian political stage in 2005 he continued to stay active in the public realm. In 2006 he initiated the Oslo Centre for Peace and Human Rights, an independent non-profit foundation. At the same time, he began serving as the UN special envoy for humanitarian situation in the Horn of Africa. In 2007 he was elected moderator of the World Council of Churches’ commission on international affairs, representing the Church of Norway.