New York, 2010: The UN meeting room is hushed. Leaders from dozens of nations listen as the speaker describes the growing crisis in earthquake-damaged Haiti…. Donors begin to respond: "More than a million people have been left homeless," says Norway's State Secretary Ingrid Fiskaa, announcing her country's pledge of $100 million. "We must help the Haitians to build … [a] new society."

The pledge to help Haiti's people was not unusual for Norway, which ranks first among nations in per-capita assistance to struggling societies. Such aid takes many forms: improving farms, restoring forests, developing alternative energy…. In fact, since Norway signed on to the UN's Millennium Goals (2000), it has earmarked billions of dollars to help the world reach such targets as universal education and an end to poverty. Add in Norway's commitment to cope with climate change, and we have a description of true generosity.

Generosity. This tradition of lending a hand dates back to the time when early Norse fishing crews looked out for one another at sea. It's also part of Norway's Christian heritage. And its influence reaches far and wide. Norway donates one percent of its gross national product to foreign aid. But Norwegians "give" to the world in other ways, too. As head of a UN commission in 1980, Norway's Gro Harlem Brundtland urged nations to balance their use of resources against the needs of future generations. Her policy of sustainable development is now a worldwide goal. Some Norwegians work with small villages — in India, for example — to promote the use of childbirth clinics. Others devote time to peacebuilding: From Sudan to Sri Lanka, they've used diplomatic skills to help nations torn by strife and/or poverty.

Foreign policy. Norway has only 4.7 million people. So its effectiveness in such efforts depends on having a strong foreign policy. Since World War II, that policy has been committed to international cooperation. Norway co-founded the UN and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO, a mutual defense pact). It worked hard at helping to build a peaceful, prosperous Europe. And, as its economy expanded, its foreign-policy concerns grew, too. Norway urges, for example, that international trade agreements — and the binding rule of law — be respected globally. That goal, similar to goals of the USA and the European Union, has guided Norway's foreign policy for years. In today's world, it is constantly tested….  

Trying Times. Since 1945, international law has expanded through treaties and other measures adopted by UN members. Treaty-making takes time. The UN's Climate Control Conference has been trying for years to achieve a treaty to manage the human impact on climate. Still, Norway supports the process, because it gives each nation a voice in decisions that affect its future. Norway defends this principle often. Recently, the world's biggest economies (the "G-20") decided — on their own — to reform global banking. But Norway objected to the group's "self-appointment" and urged the G-20 to include other nations in its decision-making. Sometimes, upholding the rule of law involves risks. Norway sends troops to conflict-torn Afghanistan — not to win territory, but to help make Afghan society stable, and thus deny terrorism a base.

Ask Now... Such issues keep Norwegians deeply involved in the challenges of today's world. But just glance at a polar map, and you'll see why they're looking ahead, too: Norway's northern coast faces the Arctic Ocean. Aviation routes between western Europe and Asian markets cross that Ocean. The polar ice cap floating on top of it is important to scientists who study Earth's warming. And the Ocean's depths hold valuable resources, waiting to be explored. Are Norwegians ready for the opportunities emerging in this polar world? If Norway's other global ventures count as clues, the answer is Yes! To learn more about modern-day Norway, see Norway's official Web Site in the United States: www.norway.org