29 November 2005 Lund University Hall
Welcome address Professor Göran Bexell, Vice-Chancellor
Address Mr. Ingvar Carlsson, former Swedish Prime Minister, Chairman of Anna Lindhs Minnesfond
The Right to Health (click to open the speech as a pdf document) Mrs. Gro Harlem Brundtland, former Norwegian Prime Minister, former Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO)
Gro Harlem Brundtland
A medical doctor, Gro Harlem Brundtland spent 10 years as a physician and scientist in the Norwegian public health system, before holding public office for more than 20 years.
In 1974, Mrs. Brundtland was appointed Minister of the Environment. During the 1970s she acquired international recognition in environmental circles and a political reputation at home. In 1981, at the age of 41, she was appointed Prime Minister for the first time. Gro Harlem Brundtland was the youngest person and the first woman ever to hold the office of Prime Minister in Norway. With two other periods as Prime Minister from 1986-1989 and 1990-1996, Mrs. Brundtland was Head of Government for more than 10 years.
Throughout her political career, Mrs. Brundtland has developed a growing concern for issues of global significance. In 1983, the United Nations Secretary-General invited her to establish and chair the World Commission on Environment and Development. The Brundtland Commission, as it was called, is best known for developing the broad political concept of sustainable development and in 1987, it published its report, “Our Common Future”.
In 1998, Gro Harlem Brundtland was appointed Director-General of the World Health Organisation. In this position, her many skills as doctor, politician, activist and manager came together. She retired from the WHO in summer 2003.