Last Week in Denmark (24.03-07.04) Episode 11 Year 4
Internationals in the Army; Gold times; Entrepreneurial opportunities
Editor HQ
State of Denmark
Welcome back to another week in the frosty lands (with a dazzle of snow). We hope you had a nice holiday break. :) A perfect ending for the first quarter of the year.
In the first days of April, the story of the Red Sea battle between a Danish warship and Houthi military drones (sent from Yemen) was revealed. Although the warship managed to take down four of the drones and avert further attacks on civilian ships, it showed terrible vulnerabilities in the Danish navy, as the defense system failed to respond (it could not actually deploy the anti-aircraft missiles) and the guns used afterwards were found to have faulty shells (half of them detonated too fast, not hitting their target). In the aftermath, the warship was called home and the chief of the armed forces was fired. You can see this video where the brave Marines from the warship took down the drones.
The warship situation triggered a whole debate about the chaos in the military defense, especially with war looming in the East. Not so long ago, we had the scandal with the warships that patrol the Arctic waters (which couldn’t use their guns) and now there are issues with the delivery of the defense weapons system acquired from Israel (it will be a year delayed and one billion DKK more expensive). Hopefully, the billions Denmark invests in defense will make such stories a thing of the past.
In more internal news, we have decided to send a bit of love for the development of our sister editions (Romanian, Polish, Spanish, Italian, Turkish). These are mainly translations of the English edition with native content aimed at the community they are serving. We start with the Polish edition by encouraging Polish-speakers to also follow the Polish edition. Otherwise, if you have a Polish-speaking co-worker, neighbor, friend, collaborator, etc., please let them know that a newsletter aimed at their community exists. We are grateful for your time and effort!
Further on, a call to current and future entrepreneurs in Denmark: If you want more free business courses in English, you need to let your municipality’s business department know. They can request Iværksætterdanmark (Entrepreneur Denmark) to organize such a course. For example, if you live in Aalborg, you can contact Business Aalborg and let them know that you would like such an opportunity in your municipality.
Thank you for reading Last Week in Denmark!
Word of the Week
Byrådsmedlem = Council member. In the smaller municipalities, it is called “kommunalbestyrelsesmedlem,” and in Copenhagen, “borgerrepræsentant.” At the local elections, a certain number of council members, based on population, are elected in the City Council. What’s cool about Denmark is that you can vote directly for the council member you want to represent your interests.
Quiz
Danish Politics HQ
Weekly political overview
The Minister of Integration started a crusade against gender-segregated swimming in public pools. There are 12 municipalities in Denmark where there are women-only times in the swimming pool. The minister calls this “Not Danish” and wants the mayors to end this practice.
After the government lost its domestic majority, the opposition is already taking advantage, with a proposal to create more transparency in the government’s internal work, and better training for new ministers regarding key legislation. This is the first time the opposition managed to gather a majority for a legislative proposal in this term.
After various reports showed bullying by students towards other students and teachers, the Minister of Education decided to make it easier for schools to send students home and expel them.
The Social Affairs Minister is under pressure after reports found that municipalities have difficulties meeting deadlines, as well as a lack of quality in case processing and that cases go through too many hands.
Focus
The debate about mandatory female conscription continues. Liberal Alliance (Libertarian) is actively campaigning against it and one of the arguments used has triggered a lot of anger in the public space. Quote from their statement: “to maintain a certain population development, it is the case that if a woman has become pregnant, it will take nine months before she can become pregnant again. When a man has just made a woman pregnant, he can make a woman pregnant again shortly after. So women's eggs are, so to speak, worth more than men's sperm.”
The Armed Forces (one of the biggest employers in Denmark with 22,000 employees) want to prioritize hiring women and people with a different background than Danish. Currently, 18.4% of the employees are female and under 4% have an international background. To encourage applicants from such backgrounds, they plan to organize prayer rooms and make female hygiene products freely available in the barracks.
As part of the strategy, the hiring committees will be diverse and the language used in promotion will be gender-neutral.
The principle of “tiebreak” will be introduced, where if there are two equally qualified candidates, priority will be given to the underrepresented category.
The new recruitment strategy still needs to be approved by the Ministry of Defense.
Danish Economics HQ
The price of gold has skyrocketed: One kilo of gold costs more than half a million DKK, the highest price in history. Why? One reason is the war in Ukraine, which created a huge demand for gold. National banks have acquired more than 1,000 tons of gold since the war started. Uncertainty about the future has also driven a lot of people to place their wealth in gold.
Gold bars and coins have become very popular in Denmark. Since the war started, the demand has increased 2,000%.
Attention to insurance companies: It’s worth checking at least once a year what you pay for insurance and what was the original amount agreed upon. Unfortunately, some companies are increasing the price without notifying you, so you end up paying more than initially agreed upon. They motivate it as a price-index adjustment and therefore do not need to announce it to the customers.
After an anonymous tip to the Consumer Ombudsman (Forbrugerombudsmand), the insurance company Tryg has to pay back its customers for unannounced price increases between 2016 and 2020.
It’s a good idea to change insurance companies at least once a year so that you can always get the best price. You can use this tool to find the best insurance for you this year.
Entrepreneur’s corner
Join a free business course in-person (Billund): Learn how to start your business in Denmark and how to sell on the Danish market in a very interactive and fun way. + Networking value. If you want a place, write to Frederik (fkm@ehhs.dk). Next workshop is on April 10 (10:00-13:00).
Join a free business course online on how to start a company in Denmark: Due to high demand, Aalborg Institute for Development & Iværksætterdanmark decided to keep the registration open for the “Doing business in Denmark'' course until 100 people have signed up. You can sign up here. Don’t overthink it - the places usually go in less than 24 hours after this newsletter is published.
Join the Wavemakers on April 18, as they celebrate youth leadership, foster cross-cultural understanding, and embrace the spirit of innovation. From green entrepreneurship to social responsibilities, cultural integration to entertainment, there's something for everyone! Read more about it here. This free event gives access to five entrepreneurial opportunities in the following months. It’s worth going to. Don’t mind the wording: Danish also includes internationals.
Daily Life in Denmark HQ
Insights into the Danish way of life
Last week, Denmark enjoyed an extended holiday with five days of rest, påskefrokost (Easter lunch), and a decent amount of sunshine - at least in some parts of the country. To crown the end of the Easter break, Tuesday April 2 was the anniversary of the birth of one of Denmark’s most famous figures, Hans Christian Andersen. He was author to some of the best known tales in children’s literature, including The Princess and the Pea, The Ugly Duckling and The Little Mermaid. Part of the Danish essence of living can be found in Andersen’s storytelling style, one that doesn’t shy away from exploring dark subjects and tragic endings. Unlike their modern adaptations, the original tales touch painful subjects, inspired by the belief that children shouldn’t be protected from the difficulties of life, but raised to face them with bravery.
The S-tog also had its birthday last week. Copenhagen’s regional train started working on April 3, 1934, as the first electrically powered railway in the country, running from Klampenborg to Hellerup and Vanløse to Frederiksberg. Today, it has seven lines, 86 stations and a flow of over 350,000 passengers a day. To celebrate its 90 years, all trains were free to ride on April 6
This week we will observe the 84th anniversary of the 1940 German invasion of Denmark. Although the occupation represented a breach of the non-aggression pact held by the two nations, the King didn’t flee and instead chose to collaborate, managing to remain in power. The Germans dubbed Denmark “the Cream Front,” due to the ease of the occupation and Denmark’s surprising amount of dairy products. During the war, local citizens and fishermen collaborated to secretly transport 7,000+ Jews to neutral Sweden, rescuing all but 500 of Denmark’s Jewish population. This Tuesday (9th), flags will be at half mast until noon to honor the mourning, and will then be raised to celebrate the freedom of the country.
Explainer
Want to experience Danish democracy? Volunteer for a voting section on June 9: Democracy is the heart of Danish society. It is strongly embedded in many aspects of daily life and celebrated on June 5 with speeches and reflections. It is demonstrated by 80%+ voting percentages at the local and regional elections (even without mandatory voting). In your path to understanding Denmark, a great pitstop could be to volunteer in a voting section. You will get to spend a whole day with Danes and see your entire neighborhood in a single day. Great for networking, great for visibility, great for democracy.
How? There are various roles in a voting section: showing citizens where to take the voting ballot; ensuring voting booths are secure; giving ballots to citizens; and so on. The political parties that are participating can nominate the people who can be in the voting section. If you are not a member of a party, you can send a message to any party in your neighborhood and ask if you can volunteer on their behalf.
But I can’t speak Danish fluently! That’s okay. First of all, this is the European Parliament elections, so internationals with an EU background will also be able to vote, which means a lot of people who don’t speak Danish will be voting. They will need at least one good English speaker in the voting section. Remind them of that.
Why do it? Do it for yourself, your growth, and network. Do it for us! Show the Danish community that we are just as involved in democracy; ensure that the voting section puts up bilingual signs so that people know where and how to vote; and use this as a stepping stone to enter the world of decision-making in Denmark.
Weekly overview
7-day probation for racist jokes made by a young man from Holstebro: 129 racist jokes on two websites (one in Danish, one in German) owned by the young man landed him in court, where he received seven days probation (suspended prison) on the basis of the section 266b of the Criminal Code. The case will continue at the High Court.
1 million people in Denmark exercise less than 5 minutes a day: 58.6% of people in Denmark exercise less than two and a half hours per week (the minimum recommended by World Health Organization). The people in this category are at high risk for at least 35 different diseases (cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, stress, etc.).
It’s enough to walk, run or bike at least 30 minutes daily to keep up with the minimum recommended to live a long and healthy life.
Special app can detect the first signs of dementia: The app is specially designed to detect early symptoms of the form of dementia called frontotemporal dementia. Less than five percent of people with dementia have frontotemporal dementia and it is difficult to detect in the early stages. Frontotemporal dementia often affects people when they are in the middle of life, unlike, for example, Alzheimer's, which often affects older people. All types of frontotemporal dementia are progressive and end in severe dementia.
A vehicle painting teacher in Silkeborg inspired young people to follow this profession via her TikTok videos: The teacher is very popular on TikTok (over half a million views on most of her videos) and has inspired a lot of young people, especially girls, to follow the vehicle painting profession.
Pollen season started 10 days earlier this year: Due to climate change, pollen season starts earlier and earlier every year. Up to one million people in Denmark have a pollen allergy. 30 percent of those with hay fever also have asthma, and 70 percent of those with asthma also have hay fever. Pollen has the best conditions for spreading when it is dry and windy.
One of the best handball players in Danish history has retired: Mikkel Hansen decided to retire at 36 years old after playing his last two years of his career for Aalborg Handbold Club. He has been named best player in the world several times and has played for clubs like Barcelona and PSG. His retirement has been marked by the Ministry of Culture.
Internationals in Denmark
Listen to our new podcast, made in collaboration with AMIS: We just launched a podcast where you can listen to the main Danish European Parliament candidates address us, the internationals living in Denmark. Listen to the first episode here. The podcast is called #VOTEHOME and it’s hosted by me (Narcis) and Zoé Elkær Nicot.
European Union HQ
Europe This Week
The legalization of cannabis in Germany. Our southern neighbors can now possess and grow cannabis at home. The new law has led to celebration in the streets of Germany.
Whooping cough returns to Europe. Cases of whooping cough, an old-time illness, are increasing in Europe, possibly because fewer people are getting vaccinated after skepticism surrounding Covid-19 vaccines.
Rights
Cross-border prescription: You can ask your doctor to give you a prescription to use in another EU country, known as a "cross-border prescription." A prescription delivered by a doctor in one EU country is valid in all other EU countries. However, a medicine prescribed in one country might not be available or it may have another name.
Opportunities
Free trip to Vigo (Spain): Join a training course on public speaking between May 13-20. Deadline! April 10. Sign up here.
Free trip to Vihi küla (Estonia): Join a training course on educational strategies to address the emotional and mental health needs of young people in their local communities between May 27 - June 3. Deadline! April 10. Sign up here.
Free trip to Kirkkonummi (Finland): Join a training course to better understand how volunteers’ mental health can be promoted and supported between May 12-17. Deadline! April 10. Sign up here.
*To join the training courses, you need to be a member of an association. If you are not, you can always join AMIS.
Announcement Board
Copenhagen, April 9, 17:00-19:30: Danish Workplace Culture – This event will provide you with an understanding of the Danish workplace culture, giving you the chance to discuss your everyday challenges in a workshop-based setting.
Aalborg, April 9, 17:00: Join the Pitching game vol.2 to develop and improve your pitching and public speaking skills. Free event. Sign up here.
Odense, April 11, 17:30-20:00: Cultural Meeting Between Different Health Understandings – In this event, Nadia El-Gendi, an expert on cultural awareness, will help you understand different ways to look at health and navigate the Danish health system. Don’t forget to sign up.
Esbjerg, April 14, 14:00: Spring walk – This walk will take you through the community gardens in Denmark (kolonihaver), a free community fruit garden (pluk selv) and hidden WWII bunkers in the forest. Sign up ahead.
Aalborg, April 16, 17:00: Join the Pitching game vol.3 to develop and improve your pitching and public speaking skills. Free event. Sign up here.
International media about Denmark HQ
Denmark closes major shipping strait over faulty missile launcher (CNN)
Mom who moved family from the US to Denmark (CNBC)
Last Week in Denmark’s Universe
Read long-form articles on our website: How to learn Danish; Danish Business Culture; How to invest in Denmark; Guides for non-Europeans - I and II; How to negotiate your salary; Giving birth in Denmark - I and II; Pension in Denmark - I and II; Translator in Denmark and many other untold stories from the community.
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Excellent edition, thanks! Great to finally have somewhere wehere all the Danish news is summarized. It's particularly troubling to read about the bullying that is now prevalent in many Danish schools.