Anerkjennelsen

Anerkjennelsen is a Norwegian noun meaning the act of recognizing or acknowledging something’s validity, status, or rights. The related verb is anerkjenne; the noun uses the suffix -else and the definite form -en.

Anerkjennelsen is used in a range of contexts, including political‑legal, social, educational, and professional settings. It denotes formal acts by authorities, institutions, or states to grant legitimacy, status, or rights.

In international law and diplomacy, recognition (anerkjennelsen) of states or governments is a central concept, where one state or an international body formally acknowledges another’s sovereignty or authority. In domestic law, anerkjennelsen may refer to the formal acknowledgment of a legal relationship or status, such as recognition of parentage or partnerships, or other rights.

In education and professional life, anerkjennelsen is tied to recognition of qualifications, credentials, or professional status across institutions or borders, often through accreditation bodies or international agreements that validate studies or titles.

More generally, anerkjennelsen can also mean social or moral acknowledgment of a person’s contributions, identity, or rights within a community. The term thus covers both formal processes and informal acceptance across various domains.

See also: recognition in international law; certification and accreditation; parental recognition.