Norwegian
The Council of Religious and Life Stance Communities (STL) was founded in 1996 to bring together people from different religions and life stances within a community of dialogue and common interest.
Under this umbrella, we are all equal. Your voice is just as important no matter whether you belong to the majority or a minority, and no matter your faith or beliefs. This is something that makes us unique – even at the international level.
Together, we make up almost 75% of the country’s population and, in many ways, we reflect the diverse nature of Norway. Not just in terms of what we believe and don’t believe, but also in terms of ethnicity, national origin and culture.
Our goal is a society that is open to all beliefs – where all can feel secure to live out their faith or philosophy as free and equal individuals.
We recognise that today’s society is also marked by prejudices and fear of the unknown. Precisely because the social debate is becoming so polarised, we consider that knowledge and dialogue are among the most important democratic tools of our time.
STL is a central arena for dialogue between member communities – but also between ourselves and the authorities, at both the local and national level. Dialogue between our members is driven not by an ambition to reach agreement, but a desire to better understand one another. We are a community united by differences.
By listening with openness and respect to each other’s views, we can build bridges and tear down prejudices, conflicts and hostile perceptions. Dialogue equips us to find a common path together.
STL also advocates for the just and equal treatment of all religions and belief systems as enshrined in the Constitution and the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights. By insisting on equal treatment for everyone, we strengthen the democratic principle of everyone’s equal worth.
The Secretary General leads the organisation’s daily operations and is appointed by the Board for a six-year term. The Secretary General is supported by a staff that currently consists of seven employees.
Birte Nordahl began her tenure as Secretary General on 1 August 2024. Prior to that, she was a Department Head at Church City Mission Oslo and she also has an academic background at the University of Oslo and as a visiting scholar at UTS (Columbia University in New York). Birte was previously Dean at Oslo Cathedral . As part of her work, she has been following the discourse carefully for many years – locally, nationally and internationally.