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Monday was a celebratory day in Norway, as the country marked 150 years since the birth of its national hero, Fridtjof Nansen. All year long, there were celebrations for the polar explorer, diplomat, researcher and Nobel Peace Prize winner, and yesterday saw the climax.
 Click here to see more photos at Daylife.com At the University of Oslo, King Harald V, Queen Sonja and the Crown Princely couple took part in a memorial for Nansen. The King gave a speech which praised the late great Norwegian.
“Fridtjof Nansen’s scientific, diplomatic and humanitarian life’s work was buoyed by an extraordinary faith in his own abilities, but also on other opportunities.
“Through his tireless commitment was Fridtjof Nansen, a moral superpower in the League. Nansen’s passport says a lot about the confidence of his name had built up in the world community.” said Harald.
“For all this and more, we are each and every one of us need to thank him. Fridtjof Nansen makes us proud to be Norwegians. He makes it an obligation to be world citizens.”
The King also stressed the monarchy’s link to Nansen. It was he who persuaded Danish Prince Carl to come to Norway to be its King as the country was dealing with independence. Nansen was also a mentor towards the then Crown Prince Olav, the current King’s father.
This commemoration ceremony was attended by many with links to Nansen’s achievements, including Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, Red Cross representatives and explorers of Antarctica. There was a musical performance by Thine Things Helseth.
In the evening, the Norwegian royals held a banquet at Akershus Castle.
Fridtjof Nansen once skiied in Greenland, explored both the North and South Poles, and brought attention to famine and displaced peoples following World War I by being High Commissioner of Refugees for the League of Nations. The latter is what gave him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1922.
Nansen died on May 17th 1930 and he was remembered not just by royalty, government officials and scientists, but also those he helped and influenced.
Sources: Kongehuset, Views and News from Norway
His Majesty King Harald V opened the 156th Parliament session Monday. With his wife, Queen Sonja, and his son and heir, Crown Prince Haakon, at either side of him, the King read a speech which officially opened the Stortinget.
 Click here to view a gallery at Zimbio.com The first few lines of his speech had Harald discuss the July attacks in Oslo and Utøya by a radical right-winger.
“The Norwegian people responded by defending democracy,” the King said in a speech that was written for him. “Out of the pain grew a strong popular desire for unity, openness and participation.
“In the most critical hours and days our country has experienced since the Second World War, the people took responsibility for our values and showed the way forward. It strengthens democracy. Meanwhile, the tragedy affect people and society for a long time.”
Then the monarch went on to discuss what the Parliament will do about the response towards the attacks, such as how the police and emergency teams reacted to the bombing in Oslo and the shootings on Utøya.
“There will be a need for measures to strengthen our security and emergency preparedness. In addition resulted in terror attacks 22 Jul. significant additional costs in several areas. The Government will come back with proposals concerning allocation changes as a result of the attacks 22 July, beyond the proposals already submitted.
“Government will balance the need for appropriate security and safe emergency response to a common desire for continued closeness between the Norwegian people and key actors in society.”
From there, King Harald discussed what the Stortinget will do for this political year. He highlighted how jobs is a main focus, with the goal of having Norway with the lowest unemployment rate in Europe.
Other issues important to the Stortinget is to make Norway a major player in the fight against climate change, as well as dedicating the country to being one of the best welfare societies.
As he ended his speech, the King pointed out what his government will do in terms of law making and presenting reports on the state of Norway.
Once King Harald completed declaring the Parliament opened, a member of Parliament then spoke to give a State of the Union, followed by an outline of what the government achieved last year.
Sources: regjeringen.no, Kongehuset.no
Luxembourg’s Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume spoke on Tuesday at the 20th Alfi Global Distribution Conference, a financing event. Guillaume talked about microfinancing at the opening of the second day of the conference.
 Click here for original photo at Monarchie.lu He also discussed the rising unemployment in Europe due to the poor economy.
“Poverty might not be such a serious issue in Luxembourg and the EU,” Guillaume told delegates. “But unemployment has been rising since 2008 and young people are the first victims. Our youth is in dire need of job creation. So microfinance might be solution even within our borders.
“We must give them the opportunity. Luxembourg is well positioned to be a centre of excellence for microfinance in years to come and can encourage the seeking of both a social and financial return. The needs are especially high in a time of crisis and Luxembourg can lead by example. Responsible investment will be the key to a sustainable European economy.”
His Royal Highness was with Jeannot Krecke, the Minister for Economy and Foreign Trade for Luxembourg during the conference.
Source: Luxarazzi, Alfievents.com
Morocco’s Princess Lalla Salma made a formal call for a global fund to be set up in order to prevent and treat cancer during a gala dinner in New York Tuesday. The wife of King Mohammed VI expressed that such a fund should be modeled after the global fight against AIDS.
 Click here to read about the symposium for next year. As she gave a speech, Lalla Salma stressed fighting cancer should be a worldwide priority.
The Princess, who is chairwoman of the Lalla Salma Association for the Fight Against Cancer (ALSC), also talked about how it is necessary for the international community to share experience, technology and training.
She also insisted the ALSC would cooperate with other international cancer organizations, both public and in the private sector.
Lalla Salma also expressed her dismay that tobacco – which behind a large number of cancer cases – is not considered to be an illegal drug because of the damage it causes to one’s body.
In addition, she also voiced her dismay over the gap between the developed and the third world, and how poorer countries are unable to help their citizens who are suffering from cancer. Lalla Salma said this was because of declining international aid to those nations.
She also said in January of next year, Morocco will host a symposium on cancer.
“The association that I have the honor to chair will be pleased to share its experience with renowned institutions from friendly and brotherly countries”, said the Princess.
The Symposium “will lay the foundation for a fruitful cooperation between our countries”
Source: Maghreb Arabe Presse
This Tuesday was Prinsjesdag for the Netherlands – the day Her Majesty Queen Beatrix gives a speech from the throne to officially open the Dutch parliamentary year. This day is also called Budget Day, as the Queen outlines the annual budget in her speech.
 Click here for more recent photos of Queen Beatrix Like so many other governments in the world, the Dutch have to cut back in order to preserve funds due to tough economic times, and that affects all citizens. Beatrix discussed that in her speech.
“The economic and social uncertainties are putting our stamina to the test,” the Queen told the politicians at Knight’s Hall in The Hague.
“The government is making an appeal to everyone to contribute to this — an appeal in this difficult period for everyone to build together a stronger society and a stronger economy in the best traditions of our country.”
But she spoke of hope and optimism during the difficult times.
“Our starting position is positive. The government is looking forward to an involved and open exchange of views. We would like to work with you towards solutions which are widely accepted.”
After giving her speech, the Queen and other members of the Dutch royal family, including Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Maxima, rode in gold trimmed carriages to Noordeinde Palace where they went out onto the balcony to wave to the many Dutch below.
The Netherlands’ budget cuts include raising the retirement level from 65 to 66 in 2020, and deep fund reduction to the social security system.
Source: Reuters, Radio Netherlands, AP
Spain’s Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia were in Paris Thursday to attend the 7th annual International Congress on Victims of Terrorism. They were there as guests of honor, and Felipe made an opening speech in which he urged for greater efforts to combat terrorism effectively, a phenomenon which he said is not justified by “any idea or belief political project”.
 Click here for more photos at Zimbio.com “No terrorist can escape or hide their responsibility to the law,” said the Spanish heir to the throne, in a speech that alternated between French and English.
“Nobody is entitled to claim the right to take the life of any human being, nor to undermine their integrity or their freedom,” he added.
“The alleged terrorists, kill, injure, kidnap and threaten, to achieve their ends or to impose their ideas in an absolutely unacceptable. As an expression of totalitarianism, hatred, cowardice and intolerance, rejection and deserves our strongest condemnation.”
Prince Felipe also reflected on the victims of 9/11, who were killed in the attacks 10 years ago this week.
“Each of the victims and their families put names and faces to the deep human pain and irreversible and irreparable damage it generates. With them we owe a great debt owed immense solidarity, support and gratitude.”
On Sunday, the 10th anniversary of 9/11, Felipe and Letizia took part in a memorial service in Madrid in which they planted 10 American oak trees in memory of those who died that day.
Spain is no stranger to terrorism. It has seen attacks over the years by Basque separatist groups, and in March 2004, Islamic radicals bombed a Madrid train station during rush hour, killing about 200 people.
Source: EFE
The young girl who may one day become Queen of the Belgians gave her very first public speech Wednesday. Princess Elisabeth delivered a short but sweet speech during the opening of the children’s hospital that bears her name in Ghent.
 Click here for more photos at Daylife.com Flanked by her parents, Crown Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde, Elisabeth – who will turn 10 next month – arrived at the hospital and began shaking hands with the hospital’s officials. She received a bouquet of flowers from a little girl as did her mother.
Inside, the Princess went up to the microphone and in a shy but firm voice officially opened the hospital by saying this:
“Ladies and Gentlemen, I am very happy that I can give my name to this new children’s hospital today. Together with you, I hope that many children will find help here. I know they can count on your daily commitment. The Princess Elisabeth Children’s Hospital now gets a special place in my heart.”
Elisabeth then pulled back a curtain to reveal a plaque commemorated to the hospital’s opening.
Then she and her parents were given a tour of the facility. Already some children are being treated there.
Elisabeth already has another facility named after her – a scientific research station in Antarctica!
To see a video of Princess Elisabeth’s speech, click here.
Source: Nieuwsblad
One month since a right-wing zealot murdered 77 people in attacks in Oslo and Utøya Island, a memorial service was held for those who died. At Spektrum Arena, the Norwegian royal family gathered with the relatives of the victims and the emergency workers, 6,700 in total. King Harald V was one of those who spoke during the ceremony.
 Click here for more images “I maintain a belief that freedom is stronger than fear,” said His Majesty, who blinked back tears as he spoke.
“It is good to be together at this time … As a father, grandfather and spouse I can only begin to sense some of the pain you feel. As King of the nation I feel for every one of you.”
“There is so little that has not already been said. The last four weeks have been hard for us all, but that is also why it is good to be together.
“My thoughts have been with those of you who were directly affected by the terrorist actions and those who have lost someone you loved.”
“I firmly believe that we will uphold our ability to live freely and openly in our country,” the King said.
Harald also praised the work of the emergency workers.
On a screen, the names of the dead were listed along with photographs of them smiling. Their families wept and one man was led out of the hall when he became emotional.
In attendance at the ceremony were Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria. Those two had laid flowers at Oslo Cathedral. Also there were the Prime Minister and diplomats of the other Scandinavian countries.
Sources: Reuters, Telegraph
On Friday, Dutch Crown Prince Willem Alexander attended the Global Water Partnership in Stockholm. The meeting was marking 15 years since GWP originally met in 1996. Willem Alexander has been advocate for clean water and proper sanitation for a long while, and has been a patron of GWP since 1998.
 Click here for Daylife.com gallery At this year’s event, he gave a speech concerning water and sanitation.
“Today you truly have a global reach, and are active in every corner of the world. Your partners work for government, businesses and NGOs. Members of the GWP family come from different sectors and traditions but they are united by this concern – how can we develop, manage and share our increasingly scarce supplies of water,” the Crown Prince said.
“Our central message focuses on basic sanitation. Despite impressive development gains since 2000, we are simply not making enough progress – 2.6 billion continue to lack adequate sanitation but also the knowledge to understand the importance of sanitation to their potential development and dignity.
“We are not keeping pace with demographic growth, which means that according to current trends, by 2015, more people, not fewer, will lack safe sanitation facilities. Daunting statistics, and behind them, immeasurable human suffering, a disheartening case of global inequity, lost opportunities for economic growth, and growing environmental degradation.
Willem Alexander went on to talk about the importance for clean water and the need to provide it.
“There is no wastewater, only water that is wasted! This is a concept we all need to promote. To achieve water security we must share the common view that wastewater is a resource. It is a resource that deserves more attention from politicians, decision-makers, and policy planners.
“Let’s all join in a concerted effort to ensure polluted water is treated before it’s returned to the environment. But we need a 21st century model. Business as usual is not the answer. Over-engineered massive trunk and branch systems which are prohibitively expensive, difficult to maintain and prone to break-downs are not the answer. Given the mind-boggling price tags for many of these systems, it is not surprising that often the work never even gets started.
“21st century systems should employ cascading use,” Willem Alexander said. “Cleaning water for drinking and personal hygiene, cascading down to grey water which can be ‘cleaned enough’ for industrial use, environmental recharge or agricultural. Do you know that about 50 million hectares of agriculture currently depends on wastewater? We have to expand this practice while doing it better by promoting the guidelines of WHO for the safe use of wastewater, excreta and greywater in agriculture.”
He then discussed how the issue of water is affecting places such as Pakistan and sub-Saharan Africa.
“Flooding is on the rise causing immeasurable human suffering along with devastating economic impacts. Last year flooding in Pakistan along the Indus River severely affected 20 million people with an economic impact of nearly $10 billion U.S. dollars. By the way, this week more than 700 thousand people have been affected by rain and floods in Pakistan and we hardly even hear about it in our media anymore!
“Sub-Saharan Africa is already encountering increased temperatures and evaporation rates, greater rainfall variability along with more pests and diseases. In this region we have proof that Gross Domestic Product and rainfall are closely correlated, with GDP falling dramatically in drought years, as well as in flood years. As we sit here today, drought is contributing to a terrible tragedy in the Horn of Africa. Some 10 million people are at risk in this region as two years of drought and poor governance have forced food prices beyond the reach of most families.
“In South Asia, an overwhelming 85% of total water use goes towards agricultural needs. At the same time, agriculture is also an extremely inefficient user of water: water productivity, measured as crop per drop, is one of the lowest in the world. In sub-Saharan Africa, 97% of agricultural production is dependent on rainfall and only 3% of the cultivated area is irrigated. This has led to urgent calls for greater investment both by governments and donors.”
At the close of his speech, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander thanked the GWP for its hardwork and pointed out how the Partnership has grown and could affect the future.
To read the speech in its entirety, click here.
Speech: Het Koninklijk Huis
On a day few Norwegians would ever forget, King Harald V took to the airwaves late in the night to address his people following the explosion in downtown Oslo and the shootings of youths on the island of Utøya, west of the capital.
 Click here to learn about King Harald V “Today we have witnessed horrific acts both in Oslo and Utøya. Our thoughts go naturally to the survivors and the relatives. I would like to thank all those who have helped to rescue people out of this situation,” said the visibly upset King.
“In such a horrible situation it is important to stand together and support each other so that we can rise up again.”
The terrorist attacks are the worst for Norway since World War II. So far, seventeen are confirmed dead in the dual attacks, but officials say that number may rise.
32 year old Norwegian Anders Behring Breivik is in custody and it is believed he is behind both the bombing and the shooting at a summer camp on Utøya.
With the country shocked and in grief, it is for its royal family, particularly King Harald to lead Norwegians towards healing.
“Now it is important that we stand together and support each other. The fact that we do not let fear prevail. As we support each other we come through this terrible situation that we have experienced,” the monarch said in his speech.
Sources: VG, ABC Nyheter
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