Berit Reiss-Andersen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Berit Reiss-Andersen
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| Chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee | |
| Assumed office 20 February 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Kaci Kullmann Five |
| Board Member of the Nobel Foundation | |
| Assumed office 2014 |
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| Member of the Norwegian Nobel Committee | |
| In office 1 January 2012 – 31 December 2017 |
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| President of the Norwegian Bar Association | |
| In office 2008–2012 |
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| Preceded by | Anders Ryssdal |
| Succeeded by | Erik Keiserud |
| State Secretary for the Minister of Justice and Police | |
| In office 7 November 1996 – 4 April 1997 |
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| Prime Minister | Thorbjørn Jagland |
| Minister | Anne Holt Gerd-Liv Valla |
| Preceded by | Ingeborg Moen Borgerud |
| Succeeded by | Ingunn Yssen |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 11 July 1954 Drøbak, Akershus, Norway |
| Political party | Labour |
| Spouse | Pjotr Sapegin (formerly) |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Berit Reiss-Andersen (born 11 July 1954) is a Norwegian lawyer and author. She was also a politician for the Norwegian Labour Party. She is best known as the chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. This is a special group of five people who choose who will win the Nobel Peace Prize.
She is also a board member of the Nobel Foundation. This foundation is in charge of all five Nobel Prizes. These prizes are given for important achievements in different fields. Berit Reiss-Andersen also worked as a top government official. She was a "state secretary" for the Minister of Justice and Police from 1996 to 1997. She also led the Norwegian Bar Association from 2008 to 2012. This is a group for lawyers in Norway. She has written two mystery novels with former Minister of Justice Anne Holt. Today, she works as a partner at a law firm called DLA Piper in Oslo.
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Berit Reiss-Andersen's Career as a Lawyer
Berit Reiss-Andersen studied law at the University of Oslo. She earned her law degree in 1981. This degree takes about six years to complete.
Early Legal Work
From 1981 to 1982, she worked for the Norwegian Office of Immigration. Then, from 1982 to 1984, she was a legal adviser. She worked for the Royal Ministry of Justice and the Police. From 1984 to 1987, she worked as a prosecutor. This means she helped the police bring cases to court in Oslo.
Her Own Law Practice
From 1987 to 2016, Berit Reiss-Andersen had her own law office in Oslo. In 1995, she gained the right to argue cases. She could appear before the Supreme Court of Norway. This is the highest court in Norway. In 1997, she became a regular defense lawyer. She worked at the Oslo District Court and Borgarting Court of Appeal. In 2016, she joined DLA Piper. She became a partner at their Oslo office. She also led the Norwegian Bar Association from 2008 to 2012.
Her Role in Politics
Berit Reiss-Andersen was involved in politics. She served as a "state secretary" from 1996 to 1997. This is a high-ranking official position. She worked for the Minister of Justice and Police. This was during the Labour Party government. The prime minister at that time was Thorbjørn Jagland.
Her Important Nobel Prize Roles
Berit Reiss-Andersen has a very important role with the Nobel Prizes. She helps decide who wins the Nobel Peace Prize.
Joining the Norwegian Nobel Committee
On November 22, 2011, she was chosen to join the Norwegian Nobel Committee. The Storting (Norway's Parliament) elected her. Her term began on January 1, 2012. It was set to end on December 31, 2017.
Becoming Chairman of the Committee
On February 20, 2017, she became the acting chairman. This happened after the previous chairman, Kaci Kullmann Five, passed away. Then, on May 2, 2017, she was officially elected as the chairman. As chairman, she works with four other members. Together, they choose the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. She is also responsible for presenting the prize.
Role in the Nobel Foundation
Since 2014, she has also been a board member of the Nobel Foundation. This foundation is very important. It is responsible for all five Nobel Prizes. These prizes include physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and peace.
Speaking Out on Nobel Peace Prize Issues
Berit Reiss-Andersen has spoken out on important issues. She criticized Erna Solberg, a former Norwegian Prime Minister. This was because of her silence about Liu Xiaobo. He was a Nobel Peace Prize winner. He was dying in prison in China. The Norwegian government did not say if it supported demands for his release. Reiss-Andersen called this attitude "embarrassing." She wanted to attend Liu Xiaobo's funeral. However, the Chinese government did not give her a visa.
Her Books
Berit Reiss-Andersen is also an author. She has written two mystery novels. She wrote them with Anne Holt. Anne Holt was also a former Minister of Justice.
Her Family Background
Berit Reiss-Andersen comes from a family of writers. Her grandfather was Gunnar Reiss-Andersen. He was a well-known poet. He wrote many beautiful poems.
