Your Majesties
Nobel Laureates
Excellencies
Distinguished Guests

Alfred Nobel taught us that the explosive power of dynamite can change our physical surroundings. Today’s three Nobel laureates have perhaps taught us an even more ground-breaking lesson: that the explosive power of dialogue and words can change whole societies.

Allow me to congratulate three truly remarkable women on being awarded this year´s Nobel Peace Prize: Ms Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Ms Leymah Gbowee and Ms Tawakkol Karman. You have worked in different ways and in a variety of arenas to help bring about change in your countries. Each of you has given people hope for a better future. And the role you have played in Liberia and Yemen represents the struggle of women all over Africa, the Arab world and, indeed, the world in general  for equal rights and democratic change.

Time and again, newsflashes from Africa have been centred around conflict and not peace, poverty not growth, dictatorship not democracy. Yet, the real story is far more complex. Progress is being made, and many countries are experiencing democratic consolidation.

As we all know, the Arab world is in the midst of fundamental change. People and societies long denied democracy, freedom and dignity, are now looking towards a brighter future. This moment is one of enormous promise.

Nelson Mandela once said “After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb”.  Democracy and peace are not accomplished once and for all. There will be setbacks, and there will be forces who want to reverse what has been achieved. This is why we need leaders like the three Nobel Laureates. Leaders who can help us reach that next hill.

The struggle for democracy is an ongoing, dare I say, unceasing endeavour. Or as you put it so well, Ms Gbowee: “You can’t fight 14 years of civil war and have six years of democracy and think all is well.”

Distinguished Guests,

A country in which decision-making power remains in the hands of men only, will never be a true democracy.

To me this is also the essence of your statement made earlier this year, Ms Karman:  “Women should stop being or feeling that they are part of the problem – and become part of the solution”.

When foreigners ask me about the reasons for Norway’s relatively strong economy I say that it’s not because of our oil, it’s because of our women. The participation of women in the Norwegian labour market  is among the highest in the world, and in recent decades we have witnessed a massive influx of women to our institutions of higher education.

Equal rights for all are essential for economic progress and democracy. These, in turn, are powerful means of preventing war and armed conflict. Security Council Resolution 1325, a landmark resolution, recognises the importance of women’s equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security.

In essence: without equal rights for women and the full acknowledgement of their role and contributions in our societies, there will never  be peace.

Distinguished Guests,

Our dinner is drawing to an end, and I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Nobel Committee for a joyous and memorable evening. Tonight we celebrate three exceptional personalities, who have been working relentlessly for democracy, peace, and equal opportunities for all. The roads you have chosen are not always easy and are often littered with stumbling blocks. Yet, you have persisted in your efforts, and the results you have achieved are remarkable.

It’s safe to say that you are all honoring the aspiration made in your first inaugural speech, President Sirleaf, “If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough”.

Distinguished Guests,

Please join me in a toast in honor of the three Nobel Peace Prize Laureates.