Norheim (49) is a Church of Norway pastor, serving the Birkeland parish in Bergen. She has previously worked as a pastor in eastern Norway and in Estonia. Since 2020, Norheim has served as a representative of the clergy on the Bjørgvin Diocesan Council and the National Council of the Church of Norway. Norheim has previously been a member of the Church of Norway’s Theological Committee (2012-2020). She earned an advanced degree in theology from the MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society, which included studies in Tübingen and Jerusalem. For many years, Nordheim has been on the editorial board of the theological journal Lutheran Church Tidings and, in recent years, she has contributed to two different research projects, most recently on a St Olav fellowship (2020) to focus on the church’s interaction with local communities in urban conurbations. In addition to these positions of trust, she a Board member for the Frende Life insurance company and for the Norwegian Mission to Seamen. Kjersti Gautestad Norheim has consistently devoted special attention to working with children and young people, as well as to the role of the church in the local community.

“My experience from living and working in a former Communist country made me especially aware of how demanding it can be to create good conditions for public discourse when freedom of expression has been limited for a long period of time. I am looking forward to contributing to Fritt Ord’s efforts to stimulate a dynamic debate and, by promoting art and culture, to helping to improve the conditions for freedom of expression. My long-term commitment to children and young people means that I will concentrate on how to approach freedom of expression in these groups in particular”, remarks Kjersti Gautestad Norheim.

“The Board of Fritt Ord is looking forward to being joined by Norheim. She will bring perspectives and experience from new groups in Norway and abroad, expanding the Board’s horizons in terms of both geography and expertise”, comments Grete Brochmann, chair of the Fritt Ord Foundation Board.

Norheim is replacing journalist and writer Sigrun Slapgard as a member of the Foundation’s Board.

For more information, see the Fritt Ord Foundation Board