Human rights and the promotion of peace, justice and strong institutions – observations from a life in Danish and international politics.
The Raoul Wallenberg Institute and the Association of Foreign Affairs welcomes the former President of the UN General Assembly Mogens Lykketoft to its Wednesday Nights Rights event on 6 December in Lund, Sweden.
The night will feature the screening of the documentary, “Lykketoft and the Occasionally United Nations,” directed by the two award-winning directors, Lea Glob and Andreas Koefoed. Koefoed will be at the event to introduce the film. After the screening, Mr. Lykketoft will answer questions and talk about his time in the UN.
Mr. Lykketoft is an economist by training and a veteran parliamentarian and government minister. As chairman of the Social Democratic Party from 2002 to 2005, he was also the opposition leader in Parliament. Since 2010, Mr. Lykketoft has been a regular foreign affairs analyst and commentator. He was elected as the President of the UN General Assembly 2015- 2016.In this lecture, Lykketoft will share his observations from life in Danish and international politics. He is an economist by training and a veteran parliamentarian and government minister. As chairman of the Social Democratic Party from 2002 to 2005, he was also the opposition leader in Parliament.
Since 2010, Lykketoft has been a regular foreign affairs analyst and commentator and he was elected as the President of the UN General Assembly 2015- 2016.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Mogens Lykketoft was born in Copenhagen and has for the majority of his life been active within Danish politics. He holds a master degree in social science at the University of Copenhagen and began his career at the the Economic Council of the Labour Movement in the 1960’s.
He was a cabinet minister for a total of 11 years beginning in 1981 when he was Minister for Taxation. He also served as Foreign Minister from 2000 to 2001. Earlier, as Finance Minister from 1993 to 2000, he spearheaded economic reforms that led to a rise in employment rates and a strengthened economy. During the same period, Denmark, which has traditionally been an active supporter of international development efforts, dramatically exceeded its development assistance targets.
Lykketoft’s career in Parliament began in 1981 and has spanned a dozen consecutive general elections – including the latest, in June 2015. He has written books and articles on subjects ranging from foreign policy and security to economics and the “Danish Model” for employment and social welfare, including two books he co-authored with his wife, the Danish journalist and writer, Mette Holm.
Location: Café Athen, Sandgatan 2235
Date and time: 6 December 19:00-21:00