“We are here to celebrate a culture of peace. At a time when nationalistic, ethnic and religious extremism in all regions – and in all religions – promotes a culture of war, hatred and conflict, we are here to rejoice in the human capacity for peace and human rights. This is an epic manifestation of freedom of religion and belief.  I see this great World Culture Festival as a sign of hope for humanity and a noble contribution to world peace.”

Dr. Gunnar Stålsett, (1935)  Bishop emeritus of Oslo, Honorary President of Religions for Peace.  Adviser to the Norwegian Government on Peace and Reconciliation. Founder and Chair of Instrument for Peace.

Before his church career Stålsett held a number of political offices. His church career includes: Professor of Systematic Theology, Rector of Practical Theology of the University of Oslo, General Secretary of the Church Council on Foreign Relations, The Norwegian Bible Society and The Lutheran World Federation.  He has served on the Executive committees of World Council of Churches, the World Conference of Religions for Peace and the Board of the International Religious Liberty Association, the European Council of Religious Leaders, and was a founding member of the Oslo Coalition of Freedom of Religion or Belief. He has served as Norway’s Special Envoy to East Timor. He is an Advisory Board member of the Library of Alexandria. He has been involved in UN disarmament and human rights programs and served on UNAID.

Bishop Stålsett has received several honorary doctor degrees and has been awarded with the high Orders of Norway , Guatemala  and East Timor for his work for peace, justice and reconciliation.  He is a Niwano Peace Prize Laureate. He is the author of several books and a worldwide lecturer on democracy, tolerance, freedom of religion and inter- religious dialogue and cooperation.