The Narvik War and Peace Centre
Strategic Plan 2020-23 Peacebuilding through Knowledge of War
Basic Information about the Centre The Narvik War and Peace Centre is a non-profit foundation that researches, documents and disseminates on issues related to war and conflict with a particular emphasis on the North. Our story starts with the German attack on Narvik in 1940, the battle of Narvik and the occupation that followed. However, we also work with issues not related to the Second World War (WWII). We have a particular focus on the rules of war (IHL) and human rights. The Centre is the northernmost of seven Norwegian peace- and human rights centres funded by the Norwegian Government. It was founded by Nordland Red Cross War Museum, Nordnorsk fredssenter, the Municipality of Narvik and the Norwegian Ministry of Education.
Mission Statement
Principle Strategic Goals
The foundation shall work to promote knowledge about and understanding for peace, the rules of war, international conventions and human rights through research, documentation and dissemination with a particular geographic focus on the high North.
Through in-house research and in cooperation with relevant Norwegian and international research communities, the Centre shall become a leading centre of knowledge on the war and occupational history in the high North as well as questions related to human rights and international law.
The foundation shall base its work on the values of the Red Cross as presented in the fundamental principles Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence. The mission of the foundation is of a common ideal character.
Historic sources such as artifacts, cultural heritage and archives shall be secured, documented and made accessible by using digital tools.
The Centre shall disseminate information based on research about the war history of the high North as well as other topics related to war, conflict and human rights in order to promote knowledge of history and further peace and understanding among humans. Children and young people are particularly important target groups.
Photo: Kristoffer Østnes
Photo: Josu Media
Dissemination \ The Centre shall maintain a factual and up-to-date research-based dissemination. It is a matter of particular priority to offer high quality attitude-promoting educational programmes to children and young people in schools in Northern Norway. The independent position of the Centre enables it to develop educational programmes that challenges points of view and promotes sound democratic values and attitudes.
Research
Documentation
The Narvik War and Peace Centre shall: \ conduct research on topics related to war and conflict with a particular focus on the war- and occupational history of the high North.
\ The collection of historical artifacts related to WWII is instrumental to the operation of the Centre. As the collection is secured in new depositories, it remains a long-term task to acquire, secure, document and digitalise it.
\ link war history to contemporary issues related to human rights, international law and democracy. \ maintain its position as a relevant and critical institution through research. \ continue developing the cooperation with relevant Norwegian and international research communities.
\ The Narvik War Museum shall be a hub of dissemination through the display of its large collection of WWII artifacts. The museum also addresses universal topics related to war, conflict and human rights. The methods of dissemination (didactics, technology, etc.) shall be developed continuously to give the different target groups the best possible learning outcome.
Dissemination – main measures \ Develop and implement innovative educational programmes that furthers knowledge and democratic competence. \ Present current research-based exhibitions and develop facilities suitable for the purpose. \ Develop a sustainable and locally rooted activity programme to the travel industry using a mix of methods of dissemination, hired guides and employed educators.
\ The Centre shall contribute to good and factual debates and create engagement around the goals of the Centre.
\ Over time the Centre has collected large amounts of archivalia. In the future the Centre will continue to maintain and develop the collection and make it accessible to the public. \ Preserving and labelling memorials and sites of cultural heritage related to WWII is a matter of national interest and is a priority. Photo: Josu Media
Research – main measures \ Connect the Centre to relevant research communities in Norway and abroad. \ Strengthen the research community within the Centre by recruitment. \ Facilitate dissemination based on research.
Documentation – main measures \ Secure, document and digitalise the collection of artifacts. \ Make sources and literature accessible to the public. \ Preserve and inform about memorials and sites of cultural heritage from WWII. Photo: Michael Ulriksen
Photo: Aili Forselius
Interaction, Cooperation and Partnership \ The common effort to educate children and young people about human rights by the Norwegian peace- and human rights centres is a good base to increase cooperation between the centres. The current cooperation between the centres is extensive and this shall be developed further. \ The goals of the Centre require an extensive network and cooperation at local, regional, national and international level. The ties to the Red Cross are in a special position. The Centre is a member in a wide range of networks and associations such as the International Council of Museums (ICOM).
\ The importance of cooperation agreements with relevant universities such as UiT - The Arctic University of Norway and Nord University has been large and will increase. \ To bring young people from different countries together is a core value of the Centre in its work to develop sound knowledge, values and attitudes.
Competence and Attractiveness of the Centre \ The Centre aims to have an organic growth in the number of staff. It is particularly important to strengthen the research capacity of the Centre. \ The staff have a sound base of knowledge in war and occupational history and human rights as well as excellent abilities of tailoring educational programmes or sessions to the different target groups. \ The work environment is characterised by involvement and enthusiasm with a will and ability to develop the Centre further based on solid factual knowledge.
Some Facts \ Total 36 119 visitors in 2019. \ 7100 pupils from primary- and secondary schools. \ 930 military personnel. \ 27 000 paying customers. \ Operational budget: 70 % from the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Defence and the Municipality of Narvik, 20 % sales and admissions, 10 % project funds. \ The Centre is led by a director and a board of 7 members. \ 15 staff members in 2020.
Kongens gate 39, 8514 Narvik, Norway Phone: + 47 76 94 44 26 www.narviksenteret.no post@narviksenteret.no