Cool Iceland: The Fascinating Challenges and Opportunities of Being a Small State

November 9, 2022
'62 Center for the Performing Arts, Williams College
Cool Iceland: The Fascinating Challenges and Opportunities of Being a Small State

H.E. Dr. Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, President of Iceland, engaged in conversation with Magnús T. Bernharðsson, Brown Professor of History and Global Studies Chair. The Williams College Chamber Choir also performs a selection of Icelandic songs in the President’s honor, including the Icelandic National Anthem, "Ísland, farsælda frón" by Kolbeinn Tumason (1173-1208), and "Heyr, himna smiður" by Jónas Hallgrímsson (1807-45). The conversation is followed by a question-and-answer dialogue with the audience.
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The President of Iceland is the country’s head of state and the only representative chosen by the entire electorate in a direct election. The office of the President was established in the Constitution of the Republic of Iceland, which took effect on 17 June 1944.

Guðni Th. Jóhannesson was born in Reykjavík on 26 June, 1968. He graduated from secondary school in 1987 in Reykjavík, then studied history and political science at Warwick University in England and finished his B.A. degree in 1991. He studied German at Bonn University in Germany in 1991-1992 and Russian at the University of Iceland in 1993-1994. Guðni graduated with a master’s degree in history from the University of Iceland in 1997. He studied at Oxford University in England and graduated with an M.St. degree in history in 1999. In 2003 he completed his Ph.D. in history from Queen Mary, University of London.

Before taking office as President, Guðni was Professor of history at the University of Iceland. He has taught at the University of Iceland, Reykjavik University, Bifröst University, and the University of London. For a few years, he also worked part-time for the Icelandic State Broadcasting Company as a reporter. Guðni has written numerous books on modern Icelandic history, including works about the Cod Wars, the Icelandic presidency, the late Prime Minister Gunnar Thoroddsen, a book about spying in Iceland, a book about former President Kristján Eldjárn, and a book about the 2008 banking collapse. He has also written dozens of scholarly articles and newspaper articles. He has received a variety of recognitions for his works.

This event was sponsored by Global Studies, Leadership Studies, the Lecture Committee, the W. Ford Schumann ’50 Program in Democratic Studies, the Class of ’46 Memorial Fund for World Brotherhood, and the President’s Office.

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