The Mayor of Oslo visits the Junior Diplomatic Academy
March 8, 2026
Students of the Kyiv Palace of Children and Youth hosted distinguished guests from Norway, including Oslo Mayor Anne Lindbo, Oslo City Council member Lars Petters Solos, and Peter William Haraldsen, representing the Ukrainian Freedom Convoys initiative.
During the visit, the guests were introduced to the work of the Junior Diplomatic Academy and saw firsthand how the Palace is nurturing a new generation of young Ukrainians engaged in international relations, cultural diplomacy, and shaping the future of their country.
The Norwegian delegation was guided through the Kyiv Palace of Children and Youth and introduced to the exhibition “Unbroken: My Life During the War,” which tells the story of Ukraine’s wartime experience and the resilience of its people.
As a gesture of appreciation for their support, the guests received a symbolic gift — a painted shell casing, symbolizing remembrance, gratitude, and a shared fight for independence.
The visit was organized as part of the Ukrainian Freedom Convoys initiative — a volunteer movement established in Norway to support Ukraine in resisting Russian aggression.
Its core mission is to purchase off-road vehicles in Norway, prepare them for use, and deliver them to Ukraine for military units. These vehicles play a crucial role in logistics, medical evacuation, and maintaining mobility on the front lines.
On this occasion, the Norwegian team brought 21 vehicles for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Altogether, Ukrainian Freedom Convoys has already provided 452 vehicles to Ukrainian defenders.
A particularly meaningful moment was that Oslo Mayor Anne Lindbo came to Kyiv not as an official guest, but as a convoy driver, traveling over 2,300 kilometers herself — a powerful gesture of personal commitment and solidarity from Norway.
The meeting at the Kyiv Palace of Children and Youth once again demonstrated that international support for Ukraine brings together not only governments, but also civil societies from across the globe.
As Rita Kosyak, Head of the Kyiv Palace of Children and Youth project office, noted:
“For Junior Diplomatic Academy students, this event was a valuable opportunity to witness genuine international solidarity in action and to understand that supporting Ukraine today is a common mission shared by people worldwide.”
