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A unique perspective on global affairs
Norway
International collaboration expert and explorer with great insights on future trends, Brexit and geopolitical
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About Arne
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Today, Arne Elias Corneliussen is a highly sought-after keynote speaker. He regularly gives presentations on future trends, challenges and opportunities, international affairs, Brexit, geopolitical risks in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and on a strategic global level. He takes his audiences on an interesting journey about global developments, risks, trends and future risk outlook. Arne Elias Corneliussen is also the founder & managing partner of Norwegian Risk Consulting International (NRCI), a geopolitical risk consultancy based in Oslo. NRCI provides geopolitical risk analysis and operational and strategic advisory services to companies and investors expanding into Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. NRCI also hosts an annual international conference – Norwegian Risk Forum – that invites business leaders, diplomats, international experts and other players. During Norwegian Risk Forum, Arne Elias Corneliussen is the conference host, moderator and usually one of the speakers during these annual conferences.
Arne Elias Corneliussen is an entertaining and insighful speaker and he is known to give inspirational speeches energizing audiences worldwide with new insights. Mr. Corneliussen traveled to more than 110 countries around the world. He conducted a range of long fact-finding expeditions across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America where he examined infrastructure developments, local conditions, political risk and established networks with local contacts. He travelled through 42 countries in Africa and crossed 28 countries on the African continent by public bus. His unique way of travelling provides extraordinary insights and experiences. In 2017 he completed a One Belt One Road Expedition where he travelled 16079 km by bus, train and shared taxis from Shanghai across China, Central Asia and the Caucasus to Istanbul. During this expedition he mapped infrastructure developments, logistical clusters and the geopolitical landscape along China’s new Silk Road project. His presentation about his New Silk Road Expedition is very popular with companies, organizations and institutions that want to understand China´s behavior and strategy. Arne Elias Corneliussen provides entertaining, insightful and thought-provoking insights during his keynote adresses and talks.
Mr. Corneliussen is also a Fellow in the Royal Geographical Society in London. Combining his knowledge from international business, academia and international fact-finding expeditions, Arne Elias Corneliussen provides insightful and hands-on presentations. He is an engaged and dynamic international speaker at conferences, corporate events and universities worldwide.
See keynotes with Arne Elias Corneliussen
Global Geopolitical Risks
Geopolitical Risks and Trends in the Middle East
Rise of Asia
Business Dynamics and Risks in Africa
Life Story
Motivation & Inspiration
What got you interested in international relations?
From a very early age, my father used to tell me stories about history. This instilled a deep passion in me for history and international affairs. From the age of 6-7, I spent a great deal of time in an old war museum in Oslo. Then, in my teenage years I was reading very widely, everything from atlases to the news. At the age of 14, I would spend my free time reading history books and magazines from around the world, including a fantastic magazine called the Far Eastern Economic Review.
Which experiences have provided you with the insight you need as an international collaboration expert and explorer?
My unusual childhood has benefited my work greatly. My deep passion for international affairs and history combined with traveling to unique destinations around the world from a young age provided me with a ‘global comfort zone’ which allows me to feel comfortable wherever I am in the world. I travel the world without expectations, without my ‘Norwegian glasses’ on, and I maintain a deep respect for the societies I explore. This mentality lets me connect with people wherever I am, everywhere from a bus in Africa to a speaking engagement in the USA.
What are some tips you would give to someone seeking to do business across cultures?
Travel. You can’t truly understand a culture until you immerse yourself in it and forget your preconceived notions. Whenever you travel, meet people with respect and humility. Sit down with them and have a calm, long conversation. Talk to people, all types of people, from taxi drivers to young and aspiring entrepreneurs. Take the bus. I’ve traveled by bus across 28 countries in Africa. You really see more of the people and the country this way.
What are some of the “universals” of business across cultures?
We have a lot of things in common with each other, yet people have so many false preconceived notions. The reality is that there are good and bad people wherever you go. We all want our countries to be safe.
Do you think of yourself as more of an explorer or a businessman?
In terms of my current profession, as a geopolitical risk consultant, the two roles are really intertwined. If I don’t explore, then I can’t understand cultures as deeply as I need in order to analyze the situation worldwide on a daily basis.
What kind of a speaker are you?
I’ve been told I’m inspiring and engaging. When I speak, I try to share my passion and create a good energy by including many stories from my own experiences. This helps people to really understand what I’m talking about and makes the talk more interactive – I want my talks to feel like a conversation, not a formal talk.
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