Growing up in a Catholic family, charitable work has always engaged Peter Kuran and given him a heart for the most vulnerable. This makes him well qualified to serve as chairman of the board of Caritas Norway. 

On the day we meet in January, Kuran has taken the train to Oslo from his hometown of Fredrikstad, to join Secretary General Ingrid Rosendorf Joys at Norad – which manages Norwegian development aid. The purpose is to involve the chairmen of the partner organizations more in the dialogue and cooperation with Norad. 

“Since this is the first time, it will probably be mostly about listening and seeing what we can contribute,” says Kuran. But he is sure of one thing: 

– In a time of conflict and great humanitarian needs, the work of Caritas more important than ever. When we see USAID reducing its aid and support to those in need with the major consequences it has, it is even more important that our elected officials know their visiting hours and increase the aid budget! It almost seems like we are entering an age of selfishness. Through our global network of grassroots organizations and churches, we reach out to the most vulnerable. We help hundreds of thousands, says Kuran.  

He got his surname from his Polish father, who came here as a war refugee, via a German slave ship.  

He met his mother right after the end of the war in Fredrikstad, and they got married in a Catholic ceremony in 1950. The following year my brother was born, and then I arrived in 1953.  

Considered becoming a monk

His parents were active in the church, and Peter was involved from the time he could walk. He was involved in youth work and already had a heart for the most vulnerable in society. While his brother trained in electronics, he ended up as a nurse anesthetist for the first 15 years of his working life.  

– I got involved in the Red Cross and in youth work against drugs and alcohol. There I put in extra effort for friends who ended up in trouble. When I traveled to Oslo at the age of 17 to demonstrate, it caused a bit of a stir at home, chuckles Kuran, who also considered becoming a monk after a short stay in a monastery in Germany.  

It was just a thought. Instead, he married Torhild, who is a psychiatric nurse. Together they have three children and five grandchildren. Another favorite is Phoenix Haga, a treatment facility for people with drug addiction. 

– Being part of establishing this service is probably one of the most meaningful things I've been involved in in my life, apart from having three beautiful children and five grandchildren, says Kuran.  

Steep learning curve

Therefore, he was very disappointed when the Conservative Party, which he has represented in both municipal and county councils, and has been a deputy for in the Storting, took the lead in liberalizing drug policy. For reasons of value, he ended up resigning after 52 years as an elected member of the Conservative Party and joining the Christian People's Party. He then became the leader of the Parish Council in Fredrikstad and was asked to be a delegate to the council meeting. That is how he became acquainted with Caritas Norway, so the learning curve has been steep. 

– There were several churches that wanted me on the board of Caritas "Partly because for 35 years I have lived with legislation on non-profit foundations. Even though the organization is ten times larger than Phoenix Haga, the same principles apply," says Kuran.  

Caritas needed more than ever

When he was asked to run for chairman, he didn't need long to think about it.  

– The work that the church does, through the international Caritas -network, is absolutely indescribable and very, very important to thousands of people. It is charity put into practice. With a more unstable and polarized world, it is needed Caritas more than ever. We must look outward, be a watchdog, and make sure that rich countries fulfill their obligations to the poor, says Kuran. 

Through Active Peace Journeys, he has, as a 2nd generation witness, traveled to Auschwitz for a couple of weeks for several years to hold themed lessons with tenth graders from all over Norway.  

– I tell my father's story as a slave laborer and prisoner. It's about building peace, trust and connection between people. If you forget your history, you risk having to live it again. I myself have lived 70 years and know that one day I will have to answer for my choices to our master. But I live with that well, says Kuran and smiles warmly.