Julie Christiansen works as special advisor in the department of international cooperation in the Research Council of Norway (RCN). She holds an academic degree in Political Science from the University of Oslo. Ms. Christiansen engaged in politics during her studies and worked as a foreign affairs advisor to the Conservative Party Parliamentarian group. In 2006-2007, she was affiliated to the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI). Ms. Christiansen was member of Parliament (Stortinget) and the Standing Committee Foreign Affairs from 2001- 2005. She has been also on the board of Redd Barna (Save the Children – Norway) and the European Movement in Norway.