Dr. Steinar Bryn is a Norwegian peace studies specialist who serves as Project Director for the Nansen Dialog Network.  The Network’s mission is to contribute to reconciliation and peacebuilding through interethnic dialogue between strategic individuals and groups that have strong influence or decision-making power in deeply divided communities.  Since 1999, Dr. Bryn has conducted many dialogue seminars, mainly between Serbs and Albanians from Mitrovica, between Macedonians and Albanians from Macedonia, and between Croats and Muslims from Mostar.  He has also facilitiated joint sessions with larger groups, including seminars in Bethlehem and Jerusalem with Israelis, Arabs, and Palestinians. 

In the past decade Norway's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has financed the establishment of Nansen Dialogue Centers.  The objective of these centers is

• To use dialogue as the idea and method to assist people who live in deeply divided communities in finding conflict resolution through negotiations.

• To establish a neutral space where people who live in a conflict situation can meet face to face and have dialogue, to listen to each other, and to try to understand the opinions of each other, thereby breaking down negative enemy images and rebuilding relationships.

In summary, the project seeks to build the respect for democratic principles, human rights, and peaceful conflict resolution.  These principles provide an alternative to unbending nationalism and ethnocentrism. 

Steinar Bryn and the Nansen Dialog Network were nominated for the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.

“No realist politics in a civilized society is imaginable unless it is based on love of one's neighbor, mutuality, helpfulness and trust. This is the rock upon which all human cooperation must be built.”