Non-Governmental Organizations

The Norwegian Atlantic Committee

The Norwegian Atlantic Committee (NAC) was established in 1955. Its objective is to work for peace and understanding within NATO through existing political, defence, economic and cultural cooperation, and to spread information about Norwegian security policy. The Committee is headed by a Board. The Committee has been supported from the start by public funds.

The Committee works both in Norway and abroad. The information and study programmes cover Norwegian foreign and security policy issues, NATO alliance policies, including the cooperation in the WEU and negotiations on arms control. NAC sponsors a wide range of activities, including meetings, seminars, courses, study tours, conferences and publication projects. The Committee runs a scholarship programme and a popular article series, and cooperates with the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in London.

Another function of the Norwegian Atlantic Committee is to gain understanding abroad for Norwegian foreign and security policy, through meetings and conferences, individual study tours and group visits to and from other countries.

Folk og Forsvar"

("People and Defence")

Through conferences, courses, seminars, excursions, lectures, study tours, etc. the organization spreads information about our total defence (both the military defence and our civilian emergency planning/civil defence), and about our foreign and security policy as established by the Storting.

The organization publishes the magazine "Folk og Forsvar", with a circulation of 12 500 and, at intervals, produces pamphlets/books on relevant topics/issues.

"Forsvarets Pensjonistforbund" ("The Retirement Association of the Norwegian Defence (RANOD)"

Kvinners Frivlllige Beredskap"

(The Norwegian Womens Voluntary Defence Association)

"Kvinners Frivillige Beredskap" (KFB) is a politically neutral organization for nation-wide cooperation between professional, cultural and humanitarian organizations with a large number of women members.

KFB has a national network of county and local committees. HM Queen Sonja is KFBs President of Honour, and Princess Astrid, Mrs Ferner is the Patron.

KFB was founded in 1951 on the initiative of HRH Crown Princess Märtha, Ms. Claudia Olsen, chairman of the National Council of Women, and Prime Minister Einar Gerhardsen.

KFB's objectives are to:

• spread information about the countrys total defence;
• work to strengthen the potential of the civilian community to meet emergency situations and war, natural disasters, accidents, etc.;
• contribute to a coordinated and effective preparedness of member organizations.
• promote cooperation between the voluntary organizations and the preparedness authorities.

KFB cooperates with other information organizations, the Directorate of Civil Defence and Emergency Planning, the Defence Establishment and other emergency planning authorities.

KFBs magazine "KFB-bladet" is published four times a year in 8 000 copies.

"Norges Forsvarsforening"

("The Norwegian Defence Association")

"The matter of defence is a matter of peace". Under this motto "Norges Forsvarsforening" (NDA) strives to keep alive in our people at all times the will to defend the nation, and ensure that Norway will always have a defence which in a satisfactory way protects the countrys freedom, independence and peace. The association is civilian, independent and politically neutral. It was founded in 1886 and has today approx. 10 000 individual members from different groups of interest, distributed between 90 local associations. NDA thus is a mutual forum for defence and security policy. Through information, NDA makes an active effort, both through central and local associations, to spread knowledge about defence and security policy and understanding and support for Norway's overall defence. This is done through contact with political authorities, information through the media, meetings, lectures, seminars, publication of leaflets on special topics, etc.

The association publishes the magazine "Norges Forsvar", issued 10 times a year. The special annual issue, "Norges Forsvars årsnummer" (Norwegian Defence Review) is also published in English.

"Norges Lotteforbund"

("Norwegian Womens Defence League")

HRH Crown Princess Märtha was the Leagues first patron, since followed by Princess Astrid, Mrs. Ferner.

NLF is a politically neutral organization based on voluntary efforts. NLF organizes the local "Lotte associations", at present 85. Under the motto "For home and country" NLF works to strengthen the nations will to defend itself and to train women for participation in the total defence in peacetime as well as in time of war. Any Norwegian woman over 16 years of age who agrees with these goals may become a member ("lotte") after completing basic training.

NLF volunteers can be used in the welfare, medical

office, transport, communications and catering services of the Armed Forces. They do this work in their spare time. An individual member who signs a voluntary service agreement and thus becomes available for deployment in the Armed Forces is called an "A-Lotte" (Lotte with an agreement) and is placed in the group "lawful combat personnel".

A school for NLF volunteers is arranged every year. The school offers several courses, organized by the Inspector General of the Home Guard, which provide necessary additional competence.

NLF publishes a membership magazine "Lottebladet" six times a year. The magazine is also distributed to units of the Armed Forces. Interested persons can become support members of NLF.

Norske Reserveoffiserers Forbund"

("Norwegian Reserve Officers Federation")

• strengthen the position of reserve officers in the community;
• protect the interests of reserve officers during service;
• improve the reserve officers military qualifications;
• promote international cooperation between reserve officers.
• The NROF is politically neutral, and has got HM King Harald V as its Patron.

The Association has 12 000 members through 64 local associations in all parts of the country.

The Association publishes the magazine "Pro Patria" eight times a year with a circulation of 12 500.