ICSD is pleased to introduce Dr Hans Kolstad, Norwegian philosopher, researcher and longstanding member of the ICSD European Branch, as one of its representatives supporting the Consortium’s engagement with the United Nations.

Dr Kolstad holds a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Oslo and a DEA degren philosophy from the University of Strasbourg. His career has included teaching philosophy at the University of Oslo, affiliations with universities across Europe and extensive independent research and writing.

In 2016, he was appointed a government scholar by the Parliament of Norway. He has published 25 books in Norwegian covering philosophy and a range of transdisciplinary subjects.

His recent work has focused particularly on democracy, human rights and peace, and the relationship between these principles and social development. He is also the initiator of the Danish Institute for Peace Philosophy, founded in 2024.

Dr Kolstad brings valuable experience of international institutions to his UN representative role. From 1987 to 1993, he served as secretary to the Norwegian Ambassador to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, working extensively on human rights and international political affairs.

He has been a member of the Board of ICSD’s European Branch since 2009 and organised the 12th Biennial European ICSD Conference, Human Rights and Social Development – a Pathway to Sustainability, in 2010. He is currently project manager for the ICSD European Branch conference Building the Peace, to be held in Assisi in June 2027.

As an ICSD UN representative, Dr Kolstad brings a strong focus on the fundamental role of peace, democracy and human rights in achieving meaningful and sustainable social development.