We are doing our best to make available additional spaces for the buffet but we can not promise this will be possible!  Please do not make the long trip to the Buffet just to be disappointed that no additional “last minute” spaces are available though you are still welcome to the free reception in the lobby.

LIVE VIDEO

For everyone all over the world who aren’t able to attend, we shall provide a “Live Video Stream” of the Buffet from the Rica Hotel at http://www.livestream.com/WiHood beginning at 18:30 – 22:30 (GMT+1), Thursday- December 10th.  Please share the link with your friends and family so they too may share in this wonderful experience and day!

Thank you,

Democrats Abroad Norway

American Coordinating Council of Norway (ACCN) and Democrats Abroad Norway (DAN) are celebrating President Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize with two special events:

Torchlight Parade

Meeting place:
Youngstorget, Oslo (located between Storgata and Møllergata)

Plan and timing:

5:30 pm:   Marchers gather at Youngstorget at a meeting place marked by American flags. (Torches may be purchased at Youngstorget, Kr. 20 per piece)

6:15 pm:  Parade leaves and proceeds past the Grand Hotel.

6:55 pm:  President Obama plans to greet parade-goers from a balcony at the Grand Hotel.
7:15 – 7:45 pm: Gløgg and gingerbread cookies served at the Rica Victoria Hotel for members.

People’s Peace Prize Buffet

A delicious finger food buffet will be served, giving diners a chance to eat and mingle.  Be prepared for surprises throughout the evening!

Location:

Rica Victoria Hotel, Rosenkrantzg 13, Oslo, tel: (+47) 24 14 70 00

Map: (click here)

Time:

Buffet is from 7:45 pm – 10:00 pm.

Cost:

Kr. 225 per adult, Kr.100 for children 6 to 12.

Prepayment is required!

How to Register

Step 1: Go to: www.democratsabroad.no/events to register and get payment information.

Step 2: Prepayment is required! Kr. 225 per adult, Kr. 100 children 6 – 12.

- Include your name and “People’s Peace Prize Buffet” when paying.

- NO REFUND!

Step 3: Bring a copy of your confirmation email to the People’s Peace Prize Buffet

The first was the historic vote the House took last night on health insurance reform.  For years we’ve been told that this couldn’t be done.  After all, neither chamber of Congress has been able to pass a comprehensive health insurance reform bill for generations.  But last night the House proved differently.

The Affordable Health Care for America Act is a piece of legislation that will provide stability and security for Americans who have insurance; quality, affordable options for those who don’t; and bring down the cost of health care for families, businesses, and our government, while strengthening the financial health of Medicare.  It is legislation that is fully paid for and it will reduce our long-term federal deficit.

Given the heated and often misleading rhetoric surrounding this legislation I know that this was a courageous vote for many members of Congress, and I’m grateful to them and for the rest of their colleagues for taking us this far.  But more importantly, so are the millions of Americans whose lives will change when we achieve insurance reform — families with preexisting conditions who will finally have insurance coverage; parents who will be protected from annual and lifetime limits that can force them to pay exorbitant out-of-pocket costs for a child’s illness; small businesses that will finally be able to cover their employees; and working folks who will finally be able to afford health insurance for the very first time.

Americans like Katie Gibson, a cancer survivor from Bozeman, Montana, who shared her story with me this summer.  Because of a medical condition Katie’s insurance policy was suddenly revoked when she needed it most, even though she was paying her premiums. I called Katie this morning and I told her that when the bill that passed last night becomes law we’ll be able to protect Americans just like her from the kinds of insurance company abuses she had to endure.  And I told her that it was because of her willingness to share her story and the extraordinary activism that she and people like her all across the country displayed — not just this year, but over the last several years — that we are finally this close to getting reform done.

Their lives are what’s at stake in this debate, and moments like this are why they sent us here — to finally meet the challenges that Washington has put off for decades; to make their lives better and this nation stronger; to move America forward.  That’s what the House did last night when it brought us closer than we have ever been to comprehensive health insurance reform in America.

Now it falls on the United States Senate to take the baton and bring this effort to the finish line on behalf of the American people.  And I’m absolutely confident that they will.  I’m equally convinced that on the day that we gather here at the White House and I sign comprehensive health insurance reform legislation into law, they’ll be able to join their House colleagues and say that this was their finest moment in public service — the moment we delivered change we promised to the American people and did something to leave this country stronger than we found it.

The second development I want to mention is a significant breakthrough in Iraq, where Iraq’s parliament has approved a new election law that paves the way for national elections early next year.  This is an important milestone as the Iraqi people continue to take responsibility for their future.

I want to congratulate Iraq’s leaders for reaching this agreement.  Their flexibility and commitment to their country sends an important signal to the world about Iraq’s democracy and national unity.  And I look forward to prompt approval of this law by Iraq’s Presidency Council.

Iraq has known many challenges, and in the past several weeks we’ve seen that there are still those who would kill innocent men, women and children to deny the Iraqi people the future they deserve.  Today’s step forward is another reminder that these enemies of the Iraqi people will fail.

The United States will continue to stand with Iraq as a strong partner and as a friend.  Tough challenges remain and I’m sure that there will be difficult days to come.  But this agreement advances the political progress that can bring lasting peace and unity to Iraq, and allow for the orderly and responsible transition of American combat troops out of Iraq by next September.

So I want to congratulate our troops and civilians who are serving so capably in Iraq, and I want to congratulate the Iraqi people who have taken an important step forward in pursuit of a better future.

There’s much more work to be done, but with today’s news we’re continuing to move in the right direction as we continue to look forward to Iraqi elections early next year.

Thank you very much.

On behalf of Democrats Abroad in Norway, we are especially pleased and honored to have the 44th President of the United States; Barack Obama awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009.

Note: due to the extra security precautions, all plans may change:

1. The Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony (Oslo City Hall, 10 December, 1pm)

This is the event with the least number of tickets available and ticket requests can be made directly in writing to the Nobel Institute.

2. CNN interview with the laureate (Oslo City Hall, 10 December, 5pm)

Each year CNN interviews the Nobel Peace Prize laureate live from city hall, ticket requests can be made directly in writing to the Nobel Institute.

3. “Fakkeltog” or parade with the Nobel winner immediately following the CNN interview that ends at the Grand Hotel.

It is, however, uncertain if this will take place for security reasons.

4. The Nobel Banquet (10 December, evening)

No tickets are made available to the public for this event.

5. The Nobel Peace Prize Concert (Oslo Spektrum, 11 December)

Tickets may be purchased for this event at www.billettservice.no

Tickets for the concert will go on sale on Thursday, Oct. 29th at 9:00 a.m., according to Oslo Spektrum’s latest newsletter

Receive email or RSS updates for all Nobel Peace Prize events.  Subscribe to our website email notification service, located on the top right portion of the DAN website or click on our RSS feed button below.

The program for the evening consisted of Democrats Abroad Norway business; a thought-provoking speech from John Riley; and an update on current issues from Lisa Cooper, DAN chairman.

John Riley’s speech was titled, “What Norway can learn from American ideas of nationhood, a personal angle”.  John started his speech with witty anecdotes about his personal experiences with the concept of Norwegian national identity and concluded with a message about how national identity needs to be adjusted to reflect shifts in society. Diversity does not reflect equality unless the nation is willing to accept change as a norm and redefine itself as necessary.

John Riley, speaker

Lisa Cooper followed with background information about the role of the Democrats Abroad organization within the Democratic National Party and updates about the hottest issues in Washington including Obama’s policies on health care and the economy. DAN also took care of business issues such as voting on the new set of By-Laws which passed by a wide margin.

Lisa Cooper, Chairman, DAN

Guests spent the remainder of the fabulous evening socializing and viewing the exhibit. Many thanks to all the members of Democrats Abroad including Barbara Ødegaard, Thomas Anglero, Christine Årdal, Carolyn Haneberg, Caroline Lorgen, Thom Hansen, Christiina Skovsgaard and Martha Kjølseth.

Click on the above image to watch the “live video”.

We look forward to seeing you at our next event!

Ten members of Democrats Abroad Norway participated in the event and were busy

painting, cleaning an oiling the panels in the church. In time for the upcoming 50th

Anniversary celebration of the American Lutheran Church and in the spirit of

community service. The event was marvelously organized and included a

wonderful Indian meal cooked by the caretaker of the church and amongst

over 40 American and Norwegian friends.

“I felt personally proud to be able to contribute my time to this event and really felt

a magic feeling of doing good and “giving””, Lisa Cooper, Chair of Democrats Abroad

who did promise in her campaign speech to introduce “Organizing for America” in Norway.

The push for local Democrats Abroad Norway encourages Americans to donate at least

one day a year to community service. DAN hopes to help link our members with a wide

range of non-profit organizations and other activities which help serve the community.

If you know of an opportunity to volunteer, send your suggestions to Brandon Lewis at

vicechair@democratsabroad.no. Brandon is the Board member has overall responsiblity

for “Organizing for America” in Norway and was responsible for coorindinating this event

for our members.

Democrats Abroad Norway (DAN) will celebrate DA International’s 45^th anniversary with a special member event.

DAN has obtained exclusive access to the Nobel Peace Center’s newly opened exhibition “From King to Obama”.   Historic photographs, film, texts and sound recordings will take you to the heart of the American Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s – the effort that paved the way for Barack Obama’s historic election.

Click here to register!!!

Date: Tuesday, October 6 from 6:30pm – 9:00pm

Location: Nobel Peace Center, Rådhusplassen, Oslo

The program:

18:40   Welcome by Director of Nobel Peace center, Bente Erichsen & Chair of Democrats Abroad Norway, Lisa Cooper

18:50   “What Norway can learn from American ideas of nationhood, a personal angle”, John Erik Riley, Publisher and writer, Cappelen Damm

19:05    Democrats Abroad, Lisa Cooper:

• 45th Anniversary – background, meaning and road ahead

• Organizing for America and launch in Norway

• Democrats Abroad Norway – Intro new Board, Issue update, Vote on revised by-laws

19:30 Mingling

Space is limited, so register soon!

Members are welcome to bring a guest. NOK 150 fee per person to be paid at the door (CASH only!).

The NOK 150 fee per person includes entry to the exhibit, canapés and one beverage, and a “complimentary ticket” for a return visit.

Click here to register!!!

Organizing for America

President Obama has put great emphasis on the need for each of us to give back to our communities in order to make this a better world.  With his own background as a community organizer on the south side of Chicago, the President has formed Organizing for America (my.barackobama.com/ofa), an organization to spread knowledge and inspire community service on a grass roots level.

Martin Luther King Day, January 19, was this year transformed into a “National Day of Service,” across the United States, with people from all walks of life contributing to local community service projects.  (www.mlkday.gov.)  In this spirit, DAN encourages you to help better the community in which we live here in Norway.  Donate at least one day a year and volunteer!

DAN hopes to help link our members with a wide range of non-profit organizations and other activities which help serve the community.  If you know of an opportunity to volunteer, send your suggestions to Brandon Lewis at ViceChair@DemocratsAbroad.no.

And here’s a first chance to help!  The American Lutheran Church (ALC) is getting  a makeover prior to its 50th Anniversary. The ALC is used by many as a gathering point, including the American Women’s Club, Alcoholics Anonymous, ACCN and the Frogner International Preschool. In cooperation with ALC members, we’ll be having a “painting party” on Sep. 19th from 9 am – 1pm (with a possibility for having something nice to eat afterwards).

To sign up for this event please contact Chris Skovgaard – chris@skovco.com, mobile nr. 93 81 78 17