Norwegian Ambassador to visit UND April 18 As part of his tour through the Midwest, Norwegian Ambassador to the United States Wegger Strømmen will visit the University of North Dakota and Grand Forks Friday, April 18. He will deliver a public and campus lecture, "Norway and the United States in the Next Century: Working Together in our Changing World," Friday, April 18, from 2 to 3 p.m. in Room 1, Gamble Hall, with a reception to follow. This event is free and open to the public. In addition, a luncheon for the Norwegian American community hosted by Nordic Initiative will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, April 18, at the Hilton Garden Inn. Strømmen will deliver a talk at the luncheon titled "News from Norway to the Midwest." Reservations can be made by calling 777-3132 or e-mail Tara@innovators.net While on the UND campus, Ambassador Strømmen will tour UND Aerospace, the Center for Innovation, and the Center for Peace and Conflict Resolution, and will meet with the members of Nordic Initiative. The 60-plus Norwegian students on campus are encouraged to attend Nordic Initiative meeting, the luncheon and the public lecture. UND hosts more Norwegian students than any other university in North America. "The Midwest has been fertile ground for the extensive bonds between Norway and the United States -- between families, friends, schools and businesses," said Strommen. "These contacts and human dimension have proven to be a solid pillar in what is Norway's most important relationship with another country." Ambassador Strømmen represents Norway in the United States, meets with United States officials on policy issues and hosts visits by Norwegian delegations to the U.S. He promotes Norwegian culture in the United States and works to maintain good bilateral relations between the two countries. In addition to visiting UND, Strømmen's five-day tour through the Midwest will include historical, cultural, and educational institutions, many of which were founded by Norwegian immigrants. He will spend time with leaders of the Norwegian-American community to discuss how to continue to cultivate the strong bonds that exist between Norway and the Midwest. He will meet with former Vice President Walter Mondale, who will assume the position of Norwegian Consul General in Minnesota this summer. Before entering his current role in October 2007, Strommen served as ambassador and permanent representative of Norway to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, Switzerland. With more than 20 years of diplomatic experience, Strommen has led a distinguished career in the Norwegian Foreign Service, including positions as deputy foreign minister and representing Norway in the United Nations Security Council. Strommen has practiced law as both a judge and an attorney. He also lectures on international law at institutions such as Harvard Law School and Columbia Law School, and is the author of articles on international law, constitutional law, and human rights.