Dear principal
Dear students

I am delighted to be here at the University of Cape Town together with all of you. And exchanging Norwegian Winter for South African summer is certainly a pleasant added value.

South Africa and Norway has a long and close friendship. It goes back more than 50 years to the time when Norway joined you in the fight against apartheid.

Today we are proud to count among our closest friends those who fought for freedom and established the democratic South Africa.

Geographically far apart, we are very close in sharing the important values and ideals of democracy, human rights, security and development.

And democracy is exactly what our two countries are celebrating this year.

You are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the South African democracy and the enormous achievement of democratic transition.

In Norway we are celebrating the Bicentenary of our Constitution. In our celebration of democracy it feels right to speak about constitutional matters.

Our Constitutions form the backbones of our societies. They define how power should be implemented, fortify our democracies and our rights as citizens.

While the Norwegian Constitution is the world’s second oldest still in force. Your Constitution is admired as one of the most complete, radical and progressive in the world.  Social and economic rights, the Bill of Rights, have been included in your Constitution.

There is an absolute ban against discrimination in your Constitution. This is one of the aspects of the South African Constitution that I find particularly interesting and admirable.

I would like to take this opportunity to refer to the recent setback on LGBT rights in Uganda. I regret the new law that was signed in Uganda yesterday. But it makes me admire the South African constitutional rights of equality for everybody – including sexual minorities – even stronger.

In Norway we are currently discussing whether anti-discrimination and human rights should be integrated into our Constitution.

I believe we have a lot to learn from each other’s constitutions.

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One question that we will be discussing during our Bicentenary is this:
How have we managed to keep the defining document of our nation relevant for 200 years? How can it remain significant for the next 200 years?

In order to stay relevant, our experience is that the Constitution must be dynamic.

Though it is difficult to make changes to the Norwegian Constitution. And so it should be. But it is possible.

Any Member of Parliament can put forward a proposal to amend the text of the Constitution.
The proposal must be submitted to the Storting during one of the first three years of a four-year parliamentary term. Such proposals cannot be considered by the Storting until one of the first three years of the next parliamentary term.

This system provides an opportunity for the electorate to have its say through the election of a new Parliament.

At least two-thirds of the Parliament must vote in favour of the proposal in order for it to be adopted.

I believe the possibility to make amendments within a stringent framework of checks and balances are one of the greatest strengths of our Constitution. It is a living legal document, developing alongside the society it defines.

The second key to keeping the Constitution alive and kicking is to raise public knowledge and understanding. Knowledge about the fundamental building block of society that the Constitution truly is.
Knowledge about the values embraced by the Constitution. And knowledge about what the Constitution signifies to each and every one of us.

Through knowledge, we build understanding about a common set of values. Which paves the way for the active participation of citizens in democratic processes. And that is pivotal to me. I want everyone to be included.

The greatest threat to our democracies is resignation. And the withdrawal of individuals, or groups of individuals, from society and from democratic processes.

Knowledge and understanding also paves the way for the crucial debates about the challenges of our time. Debates that help us create a future, in which we can see our children and grandchildren, living sustainable and meaningful lives.

A third key to a sustainable Constitution is to focus on young people. Children and youth are our main target group for the Bicentenary. They will be carrying our democracy into the future. That’s why I am particularly happy to address you as students here at today. You are tomorrow’s proprietors of democracy. I would also like to emphasise the important role of your professors. They can promote critical and independent thinking. That is a vital part of all vibrant democracies.

Every generation has its own way of looking at the nation’s history. Every generation has its own ideals.
Every generation must make the Constitution its own. For these reasons, we must pass on the Constitution and its values to every single new generation. Only then will it be relevant to all individuals also for the years to come.

Another interesting aspect about democratic development is the unwritten practices that have developed in the National Assembly over the years.

At the Storting the rights of the opposition are deeply embedded in parliamentary practice.
Question Time is basically an arena for the opposition. This is when members of the Government stand before the Parliament to answer questions on any aspect of their policy. Our Constitution makes no mention of this, but it is still considered as good practice. The democratic understanding these practices are founded on, are invaluable to our Parliament. They pave the way for an active and credible opposition.

A committee that is always led by the opposition is the separate supervisory committee called the Standing Committee on Scrutiny and Constitutional Affairs. It was established in 1993. The creation of this new committee represented a strengthening of the Storting’s supervisory role. Today’s committee has wider powers than its predecessors. Constitutional matters is a part of the committee’s duties.

Dear all,

The constitutional state, freedom of religion and tolerance are some of the values in our Constitution. These values cannot be taken for granted. Democracy doesn’t just spring out of nothing. Clear evidence is found in the long, hard struggle for democracy and anti-apartheid in South-Africa. We all owe our liberty to the brave people who fought to turn the dream of democracy into a reality.

Also in Norway it took time. 1814 was only the first step to guarantee rights as a citizen and the right to vote continued in Norway. Even though the Constitution of 1814 was very progressive and democratic for its time, only seven percent of the population had the right to vote. The struggle took more than 100 years. In 1919 the last segment of the population that had been excluded from voting, those who received economic support from the state, was granted the right to vote.

It takes time and effort to develop a democratic and free society where all people have equal opportunities. and it takes time and effort to preserve such a society. The job is never done. It is a continuous process.

My wish is that our two countries will continue to strengthen our ties. That we will support each other and learn from each other’s experiences. I know there are some Norwegian students here today.  I hope you bring home lessons and experiences from South Africa and contribute to the Norwegian debate.  I also hope you can convey some experiences from Norway to your fellow students here in Cape Town.

And that we will pass on our liberty and our democratic values and societies to future generations.

Thank you very much for the opportunity to speak here at the University today.

I will be happy to answer any questions that you might have.

Thank you!