Speech at AUF Commemoration

Check against delivery.

Remembering 22 July 2011 is still painful.
77 people were killed. 69 of them on Utøya.
It hurts to think of those we have lost.
It hurts to think of those of you who were injured.
And all who have been bereaved.
Mothers and fathers, grandparents, brothers and sisters, friends and sweethearts.
They bear the greatest sorrow.
But two years on, we know that we will always share your pain.

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At the same time, two years on, I am incredibly proud of the Labour Youth League.
A couple of weeks ago, I met many of you at your camp.
I discovered something that both moved and impressed me.
The Labour Youth League’s heart beats just as strongly for a just world, for diversity, as it did before.
It is as it always has been.
For more than 100 years, it has looked out towards the rest of the world.
But on 22 July 2011, it was the opposite.
The whole world looked in to the Labour Youth League.

They saw the horrifying face of right-wing terrorism, but they also saw something else – something more important.
They saw a Labour Youth League that was not shouting for vengeance, but was steadfastly upholding its values.
Justice, diversity, equality.
They saw a Labour Youth League that shone like a beacon.
I am proud of that.  You should be proud of that too.

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Two years on, my message to you is that the path you have staked out is even more important than before.
We must meet prejudice with knowledge.
Hatred with sound argument.
Thankfully, the extremists have not put an end to diversity in Norway.
We see it in our universities.
In our workplaces.
In the sports arenas.
People from different backgrounds, with different skin colour and different faiths are enriching Norway – in both economic and cultural terms.

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This is the diverse Norway that we will stand up for.
This is how we will honour those who are no longer with us.
They lived different lives, but they shared a single dream.
Our common dream of justice and peace.
On this day of remembrance, we thank them for all that they gave us during their lives.
They lives inspire and strengthen us – the Labour Youth League and the Labour Party – in our fight to uphold our fundamental values. 

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Today, I am asking everyone here in Norway to assume responsibility.
We must distance ourselves from all hate ideologies and all forms of extremism.
We must refrain from spreading xenophobia and mistrust.
And we must have the courage to welcome new groups – even ones that are unfamiliar – into our communities.
We are strong enough to do this.
In our society there is room for everyone.