ERIAC Welcomes Hallvard Gorseth to the Pakiv Board
As of 1 September 2026, Hallvard Gorseth joins the Pakiv Board of the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) as the Council of Europe’s representative, succeeding Bjørn Berge, to whom ERIAC extends its sincere thanks for his contribution and commitment during his time in this role.
Mr. Gorseth currently serves as Director of Equal Rights and Dignity at the Council of Europe. He brings to the Board a close and continuous familiarity with ERIAC’s work: prior to his nomination as the Council of Europe’s representative, he served as deputy representative alongside Bjørn Berge, and he has been a long-time supporter of ERIAC and its mission.
ERIAC looks forward to continuing its close cooperation with the Council of Europe under Mr. Gorseth’s representation, and to building on the strong foundation established through this partnership to date.
Hallvard Gorseth
A Norwegian national, Mr. Hallvard Gorseth has been with the Council of Europe since 2006 and currently serves as Director of Equal Rights and Dignity. The Directorate leads the efforts to promote and protect equality for all, including gender equality, fight discrimination in all its forms, building more inclusive societies without racism and intolerance where diversity is respected. It works to promote and uphold the rights of the child and operates key Conventions offering protection against some of the most serious attacks on human dignity. In all these areas, the Directorate ensures the functioning of monitoring mechanisms, intergovernmental cooperation and supports member States in implementing the relevant European standards.
Mr. Gorseth previously held positions as Adviser to the Secretary General and Head of Anti-discrimination Department. His other areas of expertise from the Council of Europe, the EFTA Surveillance Authority and the Norwegian Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, include gender equality, combating trafficking in human beings, social rights, and the free movement of persons. He is a Master of Laws from the University of Oslo and holds a postgraduate degree in EU law from King’s College London.
About the Pakiv Board
The Pakiv Board is the highest organ of ERIAC. The Board oversees the work of ERIAC, safeguards its values and approves the financial and activity plans. The members of the Pakiv Board are nominated by ERIAC’s founders: the Secretary General of the Council of Europe (one member), the Roma Foundation for Europe (one member) and the Alliance pour l’Institut Rom Européenne pour les Arts et la Culture (one member). Further two members have been nominated by the Barvalipe Academy on their first meeting.