A press release from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs states that Gauti Geirsson, a 22-year-old student of engineering management has been hired as an assistant to Foreign Minister Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson. The press release states that Gauti’s position is part-time and that he starts his job today. He’s a student at Reykjavík University, but has work experience as a sailor and engineer on a trawler and on passenger ships.
“This was just a nice surprise, and I look forward to the challenge,” Gauti told Vísir. “I was just contacted,” he said when asked how the hiring came about. He said he was very pleased to be able to be the voice of young people in government.
Gauti was campaign manager for the Progressive Party in Ísafjörður in 2014, and held the 15th seat on the party’s ballot in the Northwestern District in 2013.
“Besides, I’ve been active in environmental issues, have organized a cleanup of trash in Hornstrandir [the West Fjords] for two years in a row,” he said.
When asked by Vísir whether he has much experience in foreign affairs, he said he’s at least very interested in them. “One year, I took a trip to Africa and Asia and I’ve always been very interested in and followed foreign affairs well.”
Gauti will be one of two assistants to the minister.
