The Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights, an independent, not-for-profit Foundation, was established on January 9th, 2006. The official opening of the Center took place on August 31st. 2006. The mission of the Center rests on two main pillars, Peace and Human Rights. Its activities will first and foremost be directed towards the government level, through contacts and dialogue with leaders in both public and private sector.

The Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights - US Foundation will strive to further the interests, influence and activities of the Oslo Center in the United States of America and elsewhere in the world by providing support for specific projects; engage Americans in the efforts for peace and humanity spearheaded by the Oslo Center; inform the media and public in general regarding the efforts by the Oslo Center; plan events in support of the aforementioned efforts; and identify funding sources, collect contributions and maintain funds in support of the project work undertaken by the two organizations. In furtherance of its mission:

• " The Foundation will organize and coordinate events in the United States to present the ideals of peace and human rights to Americans.
• " The Foundation will identify and support projects for peace and human rights that are initiated by the Oslo Center and consistent with the Foundation's mission, and actively engage the Foundation's resources in the United States.
• " The Foundation will release media reports detailing activities and accomplishments that promote the mission of the Foundation.
• " The Foundation will identify and develop funding sources to support projects of the Oslo Center that further the Foundation's charitable mission. Such funding will be provided only for programs and projects and not for facilities, general operations, or administration of the Oslo Center. Fundraising will not be limited to the State of Minnesota or to the United States.
• " The Foundation will actively recruit individuals for the Foundation board of directors and Foundation advisory board to engage a broad and diverse pool of contacts, ideas, and resources in its work.

The Foundation will work closely with other nonprofit American and Norwegian organizations in the United States and Norway, including Honorary Consulates, colleges and universities to further its mission.

Foundation Independence

The Foundation is legally independent of the Oslo Center. All directors of the Foundation are United States citizens, and none serve as directors, officers, or staff of the Oslo Center. The Foundation's Board of Directors elects its successors. The Oslo Center has no power to elect, appoint or remove Foundation directors, and does not otherwise participate in the governance of the Foundation.

Similarly, the Oslo Center has no ability to influence the Foundation's grantmaking activities and no right to receive grants from the Foundation.