Anniken Huitfeldt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anniken Huitfeldt
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Huitfeldt in 2023
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| Norwegian Ambassador to the United States | |
| Assumed office 26 August 2024 |
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| Prime Minister | Jonas Gahr Støre |
| Preceded by | Anniken Krutnes |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 14 October 2021 – 16 October 2023 |
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| Prime Minister | Jonas Gahr Støre |
| Preceded by | Ine Eriksen Søreide |
| Succeeded by | Espen Barth Eide |
| Minister of Labour and Social Inclusion | |
| In office 21 September 2012 – 16 October 2013 |
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| Prime Minister | Jens Stoltenberg |
| Preceded by | Hanne Bjurstrøm |
| Succeeded by | Robert Eriksson |
| Minister of Culture | |
| In office 20 October 2009 – 21 September 2012 |
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| Prime Minister | Jens Stoltenberg |
| Preceded by | Trond Giske |
| Succeeded by | Hadia Tajik |
| Minister of Children and Equality | |
| In office 29 February 2008 – 20 October 2009 |
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| Prime Minister | Jens Stoltenberg |
| Preceded by | Manuela Ramin-Osmundsen |
| Succeeded by | Audun Lysbakken |
| Member of the Storting | |
| Assumed office 1 October 2005 |
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| Deputy | Gorm Kjernli Are Helseth Ragnhild Male Hartviksen |
| Constituency | Akershus |
| Deputy Member of the Storting | |
| In office 1 October 1993 – 30 September 2005 |
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| Constituency | Akershus |
| Leader of the Workers' Youth League | |
| In office 27 October 1996 – 22 October 2000 |
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| Preceded by | Trond Giske |
| Succeeded by | Eva Kristin Hansen |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Anniken Scharning Huitfeldt
29 November 1969 Bærum, Akershus, Norway |
| Political party | Labour |
| Spouse | Ola Petter Flem |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | |
Anniken Scharning Huitfeldt (born 29 November 1969) is a Norwegian historian and politician. She is a member of the Labour Party. Since 2024, she has served as Norway's ambassador to the United States.
Before becoming an ambassador, she held several important government jobs. She was the Minister of Foreign Affairs, in charge of Norway's relationships with other countries. She also served as a minister for culture, labor, and children's issues under Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg.
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Early Life and Education
Anniken Huitfeldt was born in Bærum, Norway. Her father, Iver Huitfeldt, was a public prosecutor, and her mother was Sidsel Scharning. She grew up in the town of Jessheim. She is married to Ola Petter Flem, and they have three children.
From 1985 to 1988, she went to Jessheim Upper Secondary School. After high school, she began studying at the University of Oslo, where she focused on political science and history. She also spent a year studying geography at the London School of Economics. She later earned her master's degree in history from the University of Oslo.
Start in Politics
Huitfeldt became interested in politics when she was young. She joined the Workers' Youth League, which is the youth group of the Labour Party. She was a leader in the youth league for many years, eventually becoming its main leader from 1996 to 2000.
In 1993, she was elected as a deputy representative to the Storting, which is Norway's parliament. This meant she could fill in for a regular member if needed. During this time, she also worked as a researcher at the Fafo Foundation. There, she wrote reports on important topics like child slavery and women's rights.
In 2005, Huitfeldt was elected as a full member of Parliament. She was re-elected several times. From 2013 to 2021, she was the leader of the parliament's committee on foreign affairs and defense.
Working in the Government
Huitfeldt has been a minister in the Norwegian government four times. A minister is a person in charge of a specific government department.
Minister of Children and Equality
In 2008, Huitfeldt became the Minister of Children and Equality. In this role, she was responsible for issues related to families, children, and making sure people were treated fairly.
During this time, she asked for permission to visit a Palestinian friend who was in an Israeli prison. The Israeli government said that only family members were allowed to visit prisoners.
Minister of Culture
After the 2009 election, Huitfeldt was appointed Minister of Culture. She was in charge of supporting art, music, and history in Norway.
In 2010, she traveled to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Canada. Some people questioned why the government paid for her husband to go with her. Huitfeldt explained that it was an official trip and that the foreign ministry recommended he join her as a companion.
Minister of Labour and Social Inclusion
In 2012, Huitfeldt became the Minister of Labour and Social Inclusion. Her job was to oversee issues related to jobs, workers' rights, and welfare programs.
She expressed concern about safety on Norwegian oil rigs and promised more money for safety inspections. She also worked on rules to help more people get full-time jobs.
Minister of Foreign Affairs
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In October 2021, Huitfeldt was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs. This is one of the most important jobs in the government. The foreign minister manages Norway's relationships with other nations.
Working with Other Countries
Soon after taking office, she met with Russia's foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov. She also worked with the European Union on different policies. Huitfeldt expressed concern about the difficult situations for people in countries like Syria and at the border between Belarus and Poland.
In December 2021, she visited the United States to strengthen the partnership between Norway and the U.S., especially on environmental issues.
Response to the War in Ukraine
When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Huitfeldt condemned the attack. Norway closed its airspace to Russian planes and sent weapons to help Ukraine. Huitfeldt stated that helping Ukraine did not make Norway a part of the war.
In April 2022, Norway expelled three Russian diplomats. Huitfeldt explained that they were involved in activities that were not compatible with their diplomatic status.
Leaving the Government
In August 2023, it was revealed that Huitfeldt's husband had bought and sold stocks in companies, including some in the weapons industry. This created a problem because her decisions as foreign minister could affect these companies. This is known as a conflict of interest.
Huitfeldt apologized and said she did not know about all the trades. In October 2023, she was replaced as foreign minister in a cabinet reshuffle.
Ambassador to the United States
In March 2024, the Norwegian government nominated Huitfeldt to be the next ambassador to the United States. An ambassador is a country's main representative in another country. She officially began her role on August 26, 2024.
