【Photo Diary】 (3) Visit to Norway to Mark 150 Years Since Discovery of Leprosy Bacillus
Published on August 3, 2023
I would like to share with you some of the photographs taken during my visit to Bergen, Norway, from June 19 to 24, 2023, in my capacity as WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination and chairman of The Nippon Foundation.
During my stay in the second largest city in Norway, I attended a two-day international conference to celebrate the 150th anniversary of discovery of Mycobacterium leprae, the causative agent of leprosy, by the Norwegian Dr. Gerhard Armauer Hansen in 1873.
[June 22, Bergen, Norway]
Speaking at the second-day session of the international conference to mark the 150th anniversary of the discovery of Mycobacterium leprae, the causative agent of leprosy, by Dr. Hansen.
The conference brought together over 200 stakeholders from around the world, including senior government officials, medical, human rights and historical preservation experts as well as researchers, NGOs and organizations of persons affected by the disease.
Being interviewed for television by Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK), Norway’s state-owned public broadcasting company, on the significance of the 1873 discovery of the leprosy bacillus by Dr. Gerhard Armauer Hansen as well as how important it is to fight the disease and the stigma and discrimination it causes.
Encouraging members of organization of persons affected by leprosy to speak out for a truly inclusive society where they and their families can play an active role.
With members of organizations of persons affected by leprosy from around the world.
With Ms. Charmaine Woodward (left), president of Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa, and her son from Kalaupapa on the island of Molokai, Hawaii, in the United States. She said she will continue to tell the story of the Kalaupapa settlement, where more than 8,000 people affected by leprosy were banished between 1866 and 1969.
[June 23, Bergen, Norway]
When we called a taxi, a Tesla electric vehicle arrived to pick us up.
