Leif Holger Larsen facts for kids

Leif Holger Larsen (born 27 January 1954 – died 8 May 2015) was a Norwegian diplomat. A diplomat is someone who represents their country in other nations, working to build good relationships and solve problems peacefully. Larsen spent many years working for Norway's government, helping to manage its connections with countries around the world.

Who Was Leif Holger Larsen?

Leif Holger Larsen was an important person in Norwegian foreign policy. He dedicated his life to working for the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This is the part of the government that handles Norway's relationships with other countries. His job was to help Norway work together with other nations on different issues.

Early Life and Education

Leif Holger Larsen was born in Stavanger, a city in Norway, on January 27, 1954. He studied at a university and earned a degree called "cand.polit." This degree is similar to a master's degree in political science or social sciences. It helped him prepare for a career in government and international relations.

A Career in Diplomacy

Larsen started his career in 1984 when he joined the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Over the years, he took on many different roles.

• In 2000, he became a subdirector in the Ministry. This meant he was a leader in one of the Ministry's important departments.
• From 2001, he worked as a councillor-minister at the Norwegian NATO delegation. NATO stands for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It is a group of countries that work together for defense and security. Larsen's job was to represent Norway's interests within this important international alliance.
• In 2005, he became a head of department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This was another senior leadership role, showing his experience and skill in diplomacy.
• In 2009, he took on a teaching role. He was appointed as a head teacher at the Norwegian Defence University College. Here, he helped train future leaders in defense and security.

Serving Abroad: Special Missions

In 2011, Leif Holger Larsen began working in South Asia. He became a special representative for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This meant he had a very important job, acting as a direct link for Norway in countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan. He worked to build strong relationships and help with important projects in these regions.

During his time serving abroad, Larsen showed great bravery. He was present during a difficult event at a hotel in Kabul in 2008. Although a Norwegian journalist sadly passed away during this event, Larsen survived.

Ambassador to Pakistan

In 2014, Leif Holger Larsen was given a very important role: he became the Norwegian ambassador to Pakistan. An ambassador is the highest-ranking diplomat representing their country in another nation. As ambassador, Larsen was Norway's official representative in Pakistan. He worked to strengthen the friendship and cooperation between Norway and Pakistan.

A Tragic End

Leif Holger Larsen's service as ambassador to Pakistan ended tragically. He died on May 8, 2015, in a helicopter crash in Gilgit, Pakistan. He was 61 years old. His death was a great loss to Norwegian diplomacy.