Practicing Peace: The Nansen Center in Lillehammer

Melannie and her documentary crew travelled by train to Lillehammer today to explore this former Olympic village and learn more about the Nansen Center for Peace and Dialogue.

This quaint Norwegian village was host to the Winter Olympics in 1994 and maintains its Olympic ski jump–which was Melannie’s team jump off point in Lillehammer. And on cue, several ski jumpers flew down the slopes to cheers from the documentary crew.

They then ventured into town. The crew was accompanied by the current Director of The Nansen Center,  Alfredo Zamudio. Alfredo told Melannie his story about being a refugee from Chile at the age of 15 and his work at The Nansen Center.

The Nansen Center  has become an international hub for dialogue work focused on interethnic dialogue, conflict transformation, reconciliation, inclusive communities and democracy.

The Nansen Center for Peace and Dialogue has more than 20 years of experience developing methodologies and implementing dialogue projects in the Balkans, Afghanistan, Kenya, Iraq, Ukraine and Norway. The center is also supporting activities and actions by others, such as the creation of local Nansen Dialogue Centers in the Balkan countries, and cooperating with local organisations in different countries.

Melannie was fortunate enough to have already met Steinar Bryn,  the former director of The Nansen Center, on one of his many visits to PLU. Steinar told Melannie that along with his work at The Nansen Center, he has been nominated for the Nobel Peace prize SEVEN times for his work around the world promoting peace and dialogue.