Her Excellency, Dr Astrid Helle is currently serving as the Head of Mission (Ambassador Designate) for the Norwegian Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa. Previously, HE Dr Helle served as the Permanent Representative of Norway to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France. HE Dr Helle is an enthusiastic proponent for gender equality, and as such has held the position of Deputy Director General (Head of Section) for UN Policy and Gender Equality. HE Dr Helle completed her PhD on Norway and European Intergration, d’Etudes Politiques, in Paris.