Professor of political science Bernt Hagtvet, right, a long-standing member of the HRH Foundation’s board, has been awarded the prestigeous Humanist prize. The prize is awarded by the Norwegian Humanist Association, who says that Hagtvet was selected for his clear and public humanist stance in questions to do with democracy, human rights, freedom of belief and expression, and equality between people of different religious and cultural origin. (24-SEP-06)

This article was written by HRH / Niels Jacob Harbitz. Photo of Hagtvet: Laagendalsposten / Cato Martinsen.

Hagtvet has defined a humanist worldview as openness, and willingness to change one’s views and attitudes in the light of new experience and knowledge, and also a generosity towards and positive appreciation of differences. He is, furthermore, of the opinion that what makes us human, is exactly that we are aware that we are different, but remain convinced and committed to the idea that we should all enjoy the same set of rights. In Hagtvet’s opinion, this approach amounts to no more than ordinary human decency.

In good company
Hagtvet is the thirteenth laureate for the Humanist prize. Among his predecessors are the tireless corruption investigator Eva Joly, the poet, singer / song-writer and human rights campaigner Odd Børretzen, the moderate right politician and gay rights campaigner Karen-Christine Friele, the world famous professor of peace, reconciliation and the philosophy of pacifism Johan Galtung, the Lawyer and Professor of Law Anders Bratholm, renowned for his humanist approach, and the late author and disabled and general human rights campaigner Finn Carling. The prze consists of a diploma and a cheque for 50.000 Norwegian kroner.