The Fritt Ord Tribute
2017
Kristin Clemet
The Freedom of Expression Foundation Tribute is awarded to Kristin Clemet for her long-standing efforts to encourage a knowledge-based, objective public debate, and for making think tanks an important part of this.
Through the liberal think tank Civita, she has identified new issues for discussion, brought new, young voices into the social debate, and breathed new life into ideological and political discussions both inside and outside the political parties.
Kristin Clemet
Kristin Clemet was born in Harstad, Norway, on 20 April 1957. She has been managing director of the think tank Civita since 2006. Clemet earned a degree in economics from the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration in Bergen in 1981. That same year, she was appointed political adviser at the Ministry of Industry. In 1983, she became group secretary for the Conservative Party’s parliamentary group. From 1985 to 1986, she was political adviser at the Office of the Prime Minister. From 1987 to 1988, she worked as city council secretary in Oslo, then she served as an MP for the Conservative Party from 1989 to 1993, before working as editor of the journal Tidens Tegn (Sign of the Times).
Kristin Clemet has been a cabinet minister under two different administrations. From 1989 to 1990, she was Minister of Labour and Administration in the Syse government. From 2001 to 2005, she was Minister of Education and Research in the Bondevik government. Clemet has also held a number of other public offices and managerial positions, including being deputy director general of the Confederation of Norwegian Business and Industry from 1998 to 2001.
The Freedom of Expression Foundation Tribute
The Freedom of Expression Foundation Tribute is accompanied by a cash award of NOK 100 000 and a crystal vase. It is awarded by the Fritt Ord Foundation’s Board to show appreciation for constructive actions to promote freedom of speech, often in conjunction with a current event. The Fritt Ord Foundation’s Board also awards the Freedom of Expression Foundation Prize.
The award ceremony for Kristin Clemet took place at a reception that Civita arranged for her on the occasion of her 60th birthday, at Café Christiania in Oslo, Wednesday, 19 April from 4-6 p.m. Clemet turned 60 on Thursday, 20 April, 2017.