Thorbjørn Jagland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids His Excellency Thorbjørn Jagland
Jagland in 2016
Secretary General of the Council of Europe
In office 1 October 2009 – 18 September 2019
Deputy	Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni
Preceded by	Maud de Boer-Buquicchio (Acting)
Succeeded by	Marija Pejčinović Burić
32nd Prime Minister of Norway
In office 25 October 1996 – 17 October 1997
Monarch	Harald V
Preceded by	Gro Harlem Brundtland
Succeeded by	Kjell Magne Bondevik
Leader of the Labour Party
In office 8 November 1992 – 10 November 2002
First Deputy	Jens Stoltenberg
Second Deputy	Hill-Marta Solberg
Preceded by	Gro Harlem Brundtland
Succeeded by	Jens Stoltenberg
Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee
In office 1 January 2009 – 3 March 2015
Preceded by	Ole Danbolt Mjøs
Succeeded by	Kaci Kullmann Five
President of the Storting
In office 10 October 2005 – 30 September 2009
Monarch	Harald V
Prime Minister	Kjell Magne Bondevik Jens Stoltenberg
Vice President	Carl I. Hagen
Preceded by	Jørgen Kosmo
Succeeded by	Dag Terje Andersen
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office 17 March 2000 – 19 October 2001
Prime Minister	Jens Stoltenberg
Preceded by	Knut Vollebæk
Succeeded by	Jan Petersen
Member of the Norwegian Parliament
In office 1 October 1993 – 30 September 2009
Deputy	Vidar Brynsplass Frank Willy Larsen Martin Kolberg
Constituency	Buskerud
Personal details
Born	Thorbjørn Johansen (1950-11-05) 5 November 1950 (age 74) Drammen, Buskerud, Norway
Political party	Labour
Spouse	Hanne Grotjord
Children	2
Education	University of Oslo
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Thorbjørn Jagland (born Thorbjørn Johansen on 5 November 1950) is a Norwegian politician. He was a leader in the Labour Party. Jagland has held many important roles in Norway and internationally.

He served as the Secretary General of the Council of Europe from 2009 to 2019. In Norway, he was the 32nd Prime Minister of Norway from 1996 to 1997. He also served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2000 to 2001. From 2005 to 2009, he was the President of the Storting, which is Norway's parliament.

Early Life and Education

Thorbjørn Jagland was born on 5 November 1950 in Drammen, Norway. His birth name was Thorbjørn Johansen. His father, Helge Th. Jagland, was a welder. His mother, Ingrid Bjerknes, was a cook.

In 1957, his family changed their last name from Johansen to Jagland. This was done to have a more unique family name. Thorbjørn finished secondary school in 1969. He briefly studied economics at the University of Oslo. However, he did not finish his studies because he became very involved in politics.

Starting in Politics

Jagland began his political journey in the Workers' Youth League. This is the youth branch of the Labour Party. He led this organization from 1977 to 1981.

He then moved up in the Labour Party. He was the party secretary from 1986 to 1992. After that, he became the party leader from 1992 to 2002.

Key Political Roles

Thorbjørn Jagland held several high-ranking positions in Norwegian politics. These roles shaped his career before he took on international duties.

Leading Norway

Jagland served as the Prime Minister of Norway from 1996 to 1997. His time as prime minister was short. He resigned after the 1997 election. Even though his party received the most votes, he stepped down.

He also served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. This role involves managing Norway's relationships with other countries. He held this position from 2000 to 2001.

From 2005 to 2009, Jagland was the President of the Storting. This means he was the speaker or leader of the Norwegian Parliament.

International Role: Council of Europe

In 2009, Jagland was chosen as the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. This is a very important international role. The Council of Europe works to protect human rights, democracy, and the rule of law across Europe.

He was re-elected for another five-year term in 2014. He served as Secretary General until 2019.

Norwegian Nobel Committee

Jagland was also a member of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. This committee decides who wins the Nobel Peace Prize each year. He was the chairman of this committee from 2009 to 2015. He left the committee in 2020.

Personal Life

Thorbjørn Jagland married journalist Hanne Grotjord in 1976. They have two sons together. Their sons are named Anders, born in 1978, and Henrik, born in 1986.

While serving as Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Jagland lived in Strasbourg, France. He has since moved back to Norway.

Jagland has received an important award from France. He was given the title of Commander of the National Order of the Legion of Honour. This award recognizes his dedication to Europe and its values.

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