Last Week in Denmark (06.03 - 13.03) Episode 9 Year 2
Denmark joins the arms race! Referendum; Economic crisis; Opportunities to travel
Ukraine HQ
Refugees
KL (the association of municipalities) made an agreement with the government regarding the reception of the refugees from Ukraine.
The government is working as fast as possible to create the legal basis for temporary residence and housing
Municipalities will strive to offer housing in maximum four days to every refugee from Ukraine that enters their territory
There is flexibility regarding the Integration Act requirements
Jobs: The regional administration in Sjælland has 400 jobs available for Ukrainian refugees.
Danish hospitals are ready to receive children with cancer from Ukraine.
The Statens Serum Institut donated 40,000 MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccines and 93,000 DiTE (diphtheria and tetanus) vaccines for Ukrainian refugees in Poland. Total value of 8,2 million DKK.
A local church from Ryomgård (Djursland) will make a leaflet in Ukrainian, to welcome the newcomers. The bishop from Aarhus Diocese allows Ukrainian priests to borrow churches in East Jutland.
How to help?
Donate money: The Danish Red Cross is collecting money for emergency help. They have volunteers both in Ukraine and at the border between Ukraine and the European Union.
Support the Ukrainian organizations in Denmark: We have two Ukrainian associations in Denmark, “Association af Ukrainerne i Danmark” and “Bevar Ukraine”, which you can join and support with your hands, your pocket or your things. You can also join this group if you can help with accommodation or transport goods and people.
Follow the Embassy of Ukraine to the Kingdom of Denmark for other ways to help.
Join the IT Army of Ukraine: The Ukrainian minister of digitalization made a call for IT professionals from around the world to help (from the safety of their home) Ukraine.
Others
Twin cities: Aalborg decided to end their sister city relationship with Pushkin (Russia). Aarhus did the same with St.Petersburg (Russia) and announced that they are looking for a sister city in Ukraine.
Volunteers from Denmark (I): The ambassador of Ukraine announced that more than 100 people from Denmark are already fighting on the front line in Ukraine. If you also want to volunteer, you can read how on this website. It is legal to volunteer. So far, 20.000 people from around the world have volunteered.
Volunteers in Denmark (II): Røde Kors (Red Cross) has 1500 new volunteers since the war started. Dansk Flygtningehjælp received 250 new volunteers. Folkekirkens Nødhjælp also experiences a huge intake of people that want to help.
News in Russian: Three Nordic newspapers (Finnish Helsingin Sanomat, Swedish Dagens Nyheter and Danish Politiken) have decided to translate part of their content in Russian, to show the people of Russia what is really happening in Ukraine.
Danish Politics HQ
The political game
Referendum (1st June): Prime-minister Mette Frederiksen announced a referendum on 1st June, on the topic of defense cooperation with the other European Union states.
To agree with the Treaty of Maastricht in 1992, Denmark put three conditions: They will not adopt the euro, they will not join the European legal system and they will not be part of European defense cooperation.
In 2000, there was a referendum on adopting the euro as currency. 53,2% of the Danes said “No”.
In 2015, there was a referendum on joining the European legal system. 53,1% of the Danes said “No”.
The political parties that want Denmark to join the European defense cooperation are: Socialdemokratiet (Social Democrats), Venstre (Liberals), SF (Socialists), Radikale Venstre (Social Liberals), Konservative (Conservatives), Liberal Alliance, Alternativet, KD (Christian Democrats), Moderates, Vegans and the Free Greens.
The political parties that are against joining the European defense cooperation: Enhedslisten (former Communist Party), DF (Nationalists) and Nye Borgerlige (Libertarian Nationalists).
Enhedslisten vs. NATO: The former communist party wants to take Denmark out of NATO. They also voted against the investments in the Danish army. A politician from the party said “NATO is an aggression alliance that is forcing Russia to act.”
New laws and strategies
New testing strategy: You should only get tested for corona if you are at risk to become seriously ill (elderly, pregnant or vulnerable), according to the National Board of Health.
Defense budget: Today, Denmark has a yearly defense budget of 36.3 billion DKK (1,47% of the GDP). By 2033, we need to reach 2% of the GDP in defense spending, in accordance with NATO recommendations. That means 18 billion DKK more yearly.
Investments in the army: Denmark will spend 7 billion DKK in the next two years to upgrade the Danish Army. According to different experts, the current military capabilities are not enough to defend Denmark. They recommend the money to be invested in…
Missiles for the Navy (Tomahawk)
More ships for the Navy (10 corvettes + 2 submarines)
Ammunition and tanks
30 F35 fighter jets to upgrade the Air Force
Military drones
More soldiers hired, longer service for conscripts (up to 12 months), more volunteers in the Home Guard (from 13,000 to 30,000)
Law proposals
Independence from Russian gas: Denmark wants to stop buying gas from Russia. In the meantime, the government is looking at alternatives.
More conscripts: Every year, less than 5.000 young people (3,463 men and 1,307 women) begin the military service. Venstre (Liberals), Conservatives and DF want to increase that number to 10,000 - 15,000 yearly. The government is also positive towards having more conscripts.
Danish Economy HQ
Prime Mette Frederiksen said that “the invasion of Ukraine comes with a price and that price will be paid by all of us”. She is pointing towards a long-term international crisis on the world market which will affect our private economies.
Gasoline price is up to 17.29 DKK per liter (23,59% increase)
Food prices are up by 5,66%
Electricity price is up to 6.92 DKK per kwh (from 2.78 DKK/kwh before the war)
Gas price is up to 18.61 DKK per m3 (from 7.28 DKK/m3 before the war)
Interest rates on house loans have increased to 2%
Inflation: Total consumer prices have risen by 4,8% since last year. This is the highest level of inflation since 1989. This means your money is worth less compared to last year. Time to ask for a salary raise.
District heating: The people that use gas to heat their homes are switching to district heating (fjernvarme). District heating is your local heating company. In Denmark, households use five types of heating: district heating; gas boiler; oil boiler; heat and electric pump; wood. The experts estimate five to eight years until everyone that wants to switch will be connected to district heating.
Cybersecurity for small and medium companies: The government established a 50 million DKK grant for SMEs that want to increase their cybersecurity level. You can apply for 50.000 DKK from 17th of March here.
Russian market: Denmark advises companies to not enter the Russian market and will not aid companies who still wish to do so. At the same time, they will provide support to the companies that wish to exit the Russian market. Trade with Russia is no longer of interest for Denmark.
Ørsted condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine and has already taken several steps to stop its cooperation with Russian companies.
The Gazprom contract expires in 2030 and it will not be extended.
All profits related to the Gazprom contract will be donated to Ukraine as humanitarian aid.
Travel deduction: 1,2 million people in Denmark applied for travel deduction in 2021. The deduction is calculated on gasoline price of 12.78 DKK per liter. There are voices asking for the deduction to be increased.
Daily Life in Denmark HQ
New recommendations on alcohol from the National Board of Health.
If you are under 18 years old, do not drink alcohol.
If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, do not drink alcohol.
If you are breastfeeding, be careful with alcohol.
If you are over 18 years old, limit your weekly drinking to maximum 10 glasses.
New research shows that alcohol damages brain development
There will be a health reform later this year that will bring legal changes regarding alcohol consumption. One idea is to raise the age limit of buying alcohol.
The battle to reduce alcohol consumption among youth in Denmark is uphill. 82% of 15-year olds in Denmark have tried alcohol. 74% of the 15-year olds drink often.
Culture
On 30 April 2022, HRH Princess Isabella will be confirmed in Fredensborg Castle Church. For the past 100 years, Fredensborg Castle Church has been used for a large number of church activities by the royal family.
Kvinde på Kærre: The world-famous sculpture from Holstebro is back, after it has been gone for repairs since last year. The sculpture was made by Alberto Giacometti and bought by Holstebro Municipality in 1966 for 210.000 DKK.
Sport
National Health Profile: 18,5% of the people in Denmark are severely overweight. 17,4% have a precarious mental health. The number of obese people in Denmark has increased by 5% in the last 10 years. There seems to be a link between good mental health and healthy habits.
The age group 16 to 24 years old has the most challenges with mental health (stress, anxiety, loneliness). 52% of the girls from that age group experience high levels of stress.
18,4% of the people in Denmark smoke. A lot fewer people smoke today in Denmark than a decade ago.
Kevin Magnussen is back: The Formula 1 Danish legend has signed a contract with Haas, where he will join Mick Schumacher. He will replace the Russian Nikita Mazepin.
Local news
Warning: Do not open fake police emails. The police in Frederikshavn have discovered that several citizens have received emails from “Interpol”, in which they are accused of being suspects of paedophilia and have 72 hours to respond.
Elderly care: Aalborg municipality needs to hire 1400 elderly care workers in the next five years. They set aside 2,5 million DKK to make elderly care work more attractive.
European Union HQ
European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, announced that the European Union will gradually stop using Russian gas, oil and coal by 2027. In mid-May, plans will be presented on how to become independent from Russian energy sources.
Recommend to your friends/family from Lithuania, Romania and Armenia, to apply for this training course (8-17 April) in Derby (UK). No age limit. The project aims to develop your capacity in supporting culturally marginalized young diaspora in Europe to embrace and engage their transcultural identity and civil citizenship. Deadline - 15th March.
Recommend to your friends/family from Slovakia, Estonia, Croatia, Spain and Bulgaria, to apply for this training course (21-29 March) near Berlin (Germany). No age limit. The training is about project management within civil society organizations. Deadline - 15th March.
Lorenzo Natali Media Prize: Did you write a very good article about fighting poverty and inequalities, sustainable developments, human rights, democracy, gender equality, environment and climate change, health, technology and digital, etc. in Europe? Apply here and win 10.000 euro from the European Commission. Deadline - 17th March.
The United Nations is looking for 17 exceptional young people (15-29 years old) from around the world that are fighting against poverty, climate change and inequality. They will work with the UN Envoy on Youth, Jayathma Wickramanayake, to engage young people in the Sustainable Development Goals. Deadline - 31st March.
European Solidarity Corps: Young people (18-30 years old) can join the European Solidarity Corps, to have access to volunteering opportunities, traineeships, jobs and solidarity projects. Your travel, lodging and subsistence costs are covered.
ICYE Switzerland is looking for 14 volunteers between 18 and 30 years old, in the framework of its European Voluntary Service programme. All costs are covered + pocket money. Deadline - 31st March.
Our community
People
The Top 100 Talent list by Berlingske was published last month and Alexandra Ciobotaru, originally from Romania, was featured among the top talents in business! Alexandra is the head of product at Novoresume and the podcast host of Femme Lead, with the mission of inspiring women to pursue the careers of their dreams.
Projects
InterCollege developed a free course in English about management within an organization / association. The “Growth N’ Value” Course for NGO leaders is designed to provide knowledge on the managerial and administrative aspects of founding and managing.
Valuable information!