Last month, Heidi Nordby Lunde joined the Norwegian Humanist Association (HEF) as its new Director of Politics and Public Relations, following 12 years as a prominent member of the Norwegian Parliament. Her appointment marks the latest example of HEF’s growing ties to national politics.
Ms. Nordby Lunde began her political career in 2013 as a full-time parliamentarian for the Conservative Party (Høyre), a position she held until stepping down after the September 2025 election. Over the years, she has become a well-known political figure in Norway, frequently appearing in national media to discuss political and societal issues.
During her 12 years in Parliament, Nordby Lunde has made her mark on issues related to tax policy, labour and social affairs, gender equality, and LGBT rights. In recent years, her focus has shifted toward defending liberal democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
On international issues, she has been particularly active in matters related to the European Union. From 2017 to 2025, she served as President of the European Movement Norway. She also led the Oslo branch of the Conservative Party from 2018 to 2022.
Trond Enger, Secretary General of the Norwegian Humanist Association is very pleased with the new addition to his management team:
“Heidi is a socially engaged and knowledgeable person, and I look forward to working with her. With Heidi on our team, we will continue to champion human rights and a liberal democracy grounded in humanist values, knowledge, reason, and compassion.”
Read more about Heidi Nordby Lunde on English or Norwegian Wikipedia.
Stronger humanist ties to national politics
With Nordby Lunde joining its leadership team, HEF further consolidates its connections to Norwegian politics.
Currently, HEF employee Benjamin Jakobsen serves as a Member of Parliament for the Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet), while present day Senior Advisor, Nancy Lystad Herz, previously held the position of State Secretary (deputy minister) in the Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion from 2021 to 2023, also representing the Labour Party.
Another notable example is Marte Mjøs Persen, who worked as a HEF organizational secretary for seven years before becoming Mayor of Bergen in 2015 – Norway’s second largest city. After six years as mayor, she was asked by prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Labour) to join the Norwegian Government as Minister of Energy and then later as Minister of Labour and Social Inclusion.
HEF’s current Secretary General, Trond Enger, also exemplifies the close connection between humanism and Norwegian politics. From 2012 until joining HEF in 2018, he served as Secretary General of Norway’s social liberal party Venstre, the country’s oldest political party, founded in 1884.
Picture:
Last weekend, Secretary General Trond Enger and HEF president Christian Lomsdalen (right) welcomed their new Director of Politics and Public Relations Heidi Nordby Lunde (middle).