Who was
Tore Eikeland?
Tore was born on the island of Osterøy in Norway in 1990, and was a political prodigy. He was a passionate speaker and activist, concerned and involved with social and political issues both at home and abroad.
At 16, he was already one of the leaders of the ruling Labour Party’s youth wing, and he was one of the founding members of the Social Democratic Network of European Youth. Two years later, in 2009, whilst studying for a BA in Politics at Bergen University, he led the Labour Youth League in HorÄ‘aland County and was selected as a candidate for his regional parliament.
Tore's tragic death
In 2011, only a few hours after debating North-South relations with the former Norwegian prime minister, Gro Harlem Brundtland, Tore was tragically killed, while protecting others from the gunman, in the massacre at Utøya which killed 69 young Labour activists.
After Tore's death, Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, gave a special mention to Tore in a memorial service for victims of the massacre, marking him out as one of Norway’s most promising and talented young politicians: “Tore Eikeland was one of our most talented young politicians. I remember him being met with acclaim by the whole Labour national congress when he gave a stirring speech... Now he is dead. Gone forever. It is incomprehensible”.
Tore's beliefs
In Tore’s short life he played a part in national with international politics far beyond his years, and he deserves to be remembered for his ideas about youth development and citizenship.
Tore firmly believed that any form of economic change must start with education from an early age. He believed that instilling democratic principles in young people would foster a new atmosphere of fair, free and thoughtful decision-making, and an attitude of questioning which methods are best. He believed that schools can play a significant part in generating active citizenship.
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We hope to give his ideas a voice, and to eat the life changing vision he has left behind.