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Below I have included the text of His Majesty King Harald's New Year's speech, which focused on the "power of dignity," and cites HRH Crown Prince Haakon's leadership in Norway around GLOBAL DIGNITY DAY, as the world headed into a not so certain 2011.  I believe the King provided a broad-based vision here, which includes us all.  

Just after the new years I was honored to join Global Dignity co-founders HRH Crown Prince Haakon and Professor Pekka Himenan, as we shared ideas with, and gained wisdom from, King Harald and his lovely wife the Queen.  Proud to say that on some level I now know this great man for our times.  How far he has brought Norway, which is now a leader and role model amongst nations, in the world.

An honorable leader for our times.  Frankly, the world could use a few more like him.

His Majesty King Harald's New Year speech 31 December 2010.

 

Getting bigger! Tomas Espedal encouraged the author in an interview this 

summer. Be greater as a human being! This I think tonight when we go 

into a new year.

 

Growing as a human being, I believe, among other things, is about daring 

to take on challenges, to stand for what we believe. By standing by our 

choices and opinions, we are more whole and safer.

 

My experience is that we rarely regret what we have to push ourselves a 

little too daring. It is often what we did, we regret.

 

As I get older, I have become less fearful of the reactions to my 

choices and actions. We must see ourselves in the mirror in the morning 

and say that we are trying to be the best of ourselves.

 

I am so lucky to meet many people who make a deep impression on me in 

different contexts. Also this year I have met people who use their time 

to make a contribution to others. We call them often enthusiasts. I hit 

them in medaljemottakelser here at the Palace, the county trips, 

visiting around the country and audiences.

 

They fill an irreplaceable place in the local environment – a place that 

relies on beating hearts. The broad participation in volunteer 

activities is one of the finest of the Norwegian society.

 

One example is the school pupils' own humanitarian action – ODW. Over 45 

years, youth involved with other young people in poor countries.

 

Often considered society's challenges in an economic scale: What will 

the aging population cost in dollars and cents? How expensive will be 

dropping out of school will be in length? What is the price tag on a 

good drug policy? And what is the cost of so many are unemployed?

 

It is understandable that these questions are – but it is equally 

important to turn on it – and ask: What are we missing as a society when 

people do not get to use their resources?

 

Behind the big numbers, it's about challenges in individual people's 

lives. We must not put each other in groups in a way that alienates us 

or obliterated our uniqueness. We put price tag on people, we deprive 

each other value, we make each other less.

 

This fall there has been a particular focus on dignity, through the 

Global Dignity Day, who was with the Crown Prince and arranged by 

schools in every county.

 

A girl in Lier said: "Something good is in everyone. Dignity is found in 

all. "She had understood something simple, but essential.

 

One boy admitted that he had used the word "gay" as an insult – but 

repented and prayed all the gays at school apologized when one of her 

classmates responded, saying he was gay.

 

A seller of street magazine = Oslo told me how it had strengthened his 

dignity to sell magazines, instead of begging. Being able to say "be so 

good" – not just "thanks" with a curved neck.

 

These are stories to be larger.

 

In a society can easily human dignity often be put to the test. This can 

anyone get to experience in their lifetime. In a very short time we can 

go from having – to lose – and be sidelined. Illness or a life crisis 

can make us completely or partially disabled.

 

I think everyone can get into how difficult it is to be seen just a 

small part of everything we are as human beings. A man from Afghanistan 

may have had a good job, position, and a rich social life in their 

homeland. So he comes to Norway as an asylum seeker – and is suddenly a 

stranger – without language, without a job, with few opportunities to 

contribute. Then it is easy to start thinking small thoughts about 

themselves.

 

Every person has the resources to use in our community – regardless of 

nationality, health status, life experience, age and social conditions. 

We just help each other to see them, and prepare to use them. A resource 

I hope employers are increasingly know how to appreciate, is the 

multicultural competence that many in our country possesses. Norwegian 

youth born of parents with different cultural backgrounds have an 

experience and an insight that is becoming increasingly important for us 

in a smaller world.

 

Our greatest responsibility is the children. Also this year we have been 

outraged by stories of children who are hurting because adults are 

unable to take care of them. This is translating children. Even in 

Norway, children born into very different circumstances. Exactly that's 

the difficult to influence. But what we can do something is to give them 

more equal opportunities. Sometimes it is the one essential in a child's 

life:

 

A teacher, a neighbor, a soccer coach, a school nurse. We may all be 

one. We must dare to care – nor bear to be accused of mixing us. Many of 

those who today are struggling with substance abuse problems have 

experienced being neglected or abused as children. The school can be a 

vital body on the road. Therefore, it is serious when young people do 

not complete their schooling. When they lose both safety net and future 

possibilities – and thus particularly vulnerable. We must give young 

people confidence so they can grow up with faith in themselves.

 

Will we grow as human beings, we must concern ourselves beyond our own 

domestic affairs. We are Norwegians, while we are world citizens who 

live in a gl
obal community. This year we have highlighted that there was 

a hundred years ago, Herman died. He managed to look beyond their own 

nationality, and committed himself to people outside the country. It 

made an impression during his state visit to Slovakia in the fall to see 

how valued propagator is still after his efforts to defend the Slovak 

people's language and culture. With the current flow of information made 

it even greater demands on our continued commitment than Bjørnson time. 

It is too easy to forget when the media spotlight goes out.

 

Flood disaster in Pakistan and the earthquake in Haiti are examples of 

this. But for those who are affected, disasters will affect life and 

society in the years to come.

 

Thousands of Norwegians are always engaged in international service out 

there. I will tonight especially greet Norwegian women and men who work 

for peace, stability and development – in the military, foreign service 

and humanitarian organizations. It's great to give up domestic security 

– and choosing the risk it means to serve in a conflict area. My 

thoughts are also with everyone at home who miss them out there. And 

among those who mourn after losing one of their loved ones.

 

No one can rule over life and death. But we can cherish and protect. In 

the year 2010 biodiversity has focused on the preservation of the 

planet's biodiversity. This is also an area in which to assess the value 

of a financial measure falls short. We have a responsibility for all 

life, and it requires great wisdom to manage natural resources in a good 

way. Indian chief Francois Paulette in Canada expressed it as follows:

"Mother Earth needs your help now."

 

I think our own peace of mind can mean the freedom of others. Are we 

encountered in ourselves, we are threatened not so easily by others - 

even if they are different from us.

 

When the Queen and I at the beginning of our work selected blessing in 

Nidaros Cathedral, it was because we felt a need pick support and 

strength from our establish when such a large choice should be taken. It 

gave a foundation. When one finds his own party, it is easier to meet 

others where they stand.

 

There is a constant challenge for us as a society and individuals to 

live with differences – and appreciate it as enrichment. In a way the 

family can be considered as a mini-society. Ever since we are young we 

learn, through the family, to live with inequality. Sometimes the 

conflict – but also in love – because we are linked by special ties and 

need each other – despite all the differences. This experience can also 

bring us into other contexts.

 

We rely on opinions and public debate to grow as a community. Therefore, 

it is dangerous when extreme movements are not readily expressed – where 

they can be challenged openly.

 

In Norway, freedom and equality apply to everyone. No one should be 

frightened into silence.

 

The philosopher and bishop Aurelius Augustine, who lived around 400 

years, wrote something very wise: "Tension in the central, freedom in 

the peripheral, love in everything." Maybe we should try to meet each 

other in its generosity – and look at what in fact it is central and 

what is peripheral – basically what's great and what is small. All 

nations, cultures and religions is an expression of charity. And 

everyone has an understanding of what dignity means. This is key, and it 

unites us.

 

What if we met in the question: What can I do for you to have the best 

possible?

 

I wish that we can look each other in the new year. Be there for each 

other. We all know life's vulnerability. We know that it alternates 

between light and darkness, between joy and sorrow, despair and hope. In 

this whole, we can dare to meet each other: In a room that is generous - 

and where its own security means freedom of others.

 

We must act boldly and do what we think is right.

 

As we grow as people.

 

As we grow as a nation.

 

I wish everyone a happy new year!

 

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