Diplomacy, Issue 2: CPH POST Supplement, Autumn 2017

Diplomacy MAGAZINE

AUTUMN 2017 – ISSUE 2

SPECIAL BERTEL HAARDER: THE MP WHO HAS SEEN IT ALL

REDISCOVERING A JOINT HERITAGE INTERVIEW WITH THE POLISH AMBASSADOR DR HENRYKA MOŚCICKA-DENDYS COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO AMBASSADORS IN DENMARK

1

MANAGING INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

We take great pleasure in welcoming you to the second edition of our CPH POST Diplomacy magazine. The first issue turned out to be a great success

A JOINT EUROPEAN HERITAGE In this issue is an in-depth interview with Dr Henryka Mo cicka-Dendys, the Polish ambassador in Denmark. The ambassador comments among other things on relations between Poland and Denmark in a European context and explains some of Poland's foreign policy goals in the Baltic area and as part of the Visegrad co-operation.

DENMARK'S POLITICAL NESTOR The CPH POST was also able to talk to Bertel Haarder, the Father of the House.

Haarder also holds the distinction of having been a minister longer than anyone in Danish politics. A passionate believer in Nordic co-operation, he has a great deal of experience across the board. Haarder is well known for his forthright views on many of the current issues of the day – both domestic and international.

Publisher: CPH POST • Editor: Hans Hermansen Journalist/writer: Stephen Gadd • Layout: All About Digital, Copenhagen • Co-ordinator: Marin Milosavljevic Info: hans@cphpost.dk, Tel: +45 2420 2411

2

dent, Kaj Larssen, outlines his vision for the organisation and expounds on his love of Scotland – he's also president of the St Andrew Society of Denmark here in Copenhagen.

CHALLENGES AT THE UN The Norwegian politician Grete Faremo exchanged a high-powered career in domestic politics for a job in the United Nations office for project services.

Grete explains what drives her at UNOPS and talks about women's rights and how important this issue is – now and in the future.

… AND MUCH MORE On other pages, regular features such as 'Coming up Soon' and 'About Town'.

We also take a peek inside the Italian residency and hear what it's like to be the son of an ambassador.

KUKS – A NEUTRAL SPACE

We also feature an updated version of our at-a-glance 4-page guide to all the ambassadors in Denmark.

An organisation that exists to provide a neutral space for informal contacts across borders and political views, KUKS – or the Cultural Confederation of Foreign Societies – has been around for more than 40 years. The current presi-

We hope that you will enjoy reading this issue as much as the first one and would appreciate any comments and feedback that you might have so that we can make the next issue even better.

Ren køreglæde

WITH, AGAINST OR ROUND THE FLOW. BMW X1 sDrive20d Advantage.

Whether you are into comfortable city driving or sporty trips to the countryside, the BMW X1 is the answer. Seated high above the traffic and terrain, you can simply enjoy the 190 headstrong horsepower. With the Advantage package you get lots of luxurious extras, such as automatic climate control, leather sports steering wheel, electric hatch, cruise control, rear parking sensor and alarm. In addition you get metallic varnish and Navigation Business. It’s the perfect Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) for those of you who go your own way – and appreciate the value of an extraordinary experience… for an extraordinarily small leasing fee.

JAN NYGAARD AS

København · Kgs. Lyngby www.jan-nygaard.dk

BMW PrivateLeasing includes delivery costs and service, excluding insurance and green tax. Establishing cost: 4,995 DKK. Adm. Fee: 25 DKK/month. Total costs 5,195 DKK/month and 15,000 DKK down pay are 145,275 DKK. Total costs at 4,495 DKK/month and 35,000 DKK down pay are 148,475 DKK. The price is based on 24 months’ leasing with 20,000 km during the period. Subject to credit approval. Prices are valid until otherwise communicated. The car is shown with extra accessories.

Consumption 22.2 km/l, CO 2-emission 118 g/km, 190 hk.

A

3 1578 BMW X1 privatleasing 212x278mm.indd 1

09/05/17 16:52

POLAND AND DENMARK REDISCOVERING A JOINT HERITAGE ■

Before becoming Poland's ambassador in Denmark

in November 2015, Dr Henryka Mościcka-Dendys was Poland's under-secretary of state in the ministry of foreign affairs and director for Europe. She joined the ministry in 2001.

A graduate in law and classics from the University of Silesia in Katowice, she also holds a PhD in international law from the University of Warsaw.

Henryka's special areas of responsibility in government included European policy, human rights and parliamentary affairs.

Q

Henryka, you've been Poland's ambassador in Denmark for almost two years now. What is your impression of Denmark and the Danes?

Denmark is an open country and the Danes are an open and friendly nation. I think what they do in Denmark in terms of national branding – promoting their list of priorities starting with energy policy through culture and design – is absolutely fantastic. Many nations can learn from the examples and best-practices they have developed here.

There is a lot my country can learn and a lot of potential issues on which we are like-minded. We already co-operate very well on a number of issues.

Q

There are a number of Danish farmers who have projects in Poland. Is that one of the examples that you are thinking of?

I was not necessarily thinking about food production or the farming sector, but rather the digital agenda and innovation and joint ventures in third countries.

But you are right, Denmark is a very strong investor in Poland. Danish companies are very present in my home-country. There are over 800 if you count them all. I'm also very pleased to see many Polish investors coming to Denmark. I'm particularly promoting projects in the IT, construction and trade sectors.

Q

Can you tell me when Poland and Denmark first established diplomatic relations, and how that happened?

It was in the Middle Ages, so it is very difficult to say

Credit: Polish Embassy

when exactly it happened, but one story that both the Danes and Poles like to point to is a marriage in the late tenth century, when the daughter of the Polish prince

4

LEASE YOUR WAY TO A BEAUTIFUL HOME

Forget about standardised living and soul-free houses.

Let us select and provide furniture to create a personal home for you in Denmark.

It will be a hassle-free experience, where we incorporate all your requirements.

Example. 3 rooms DKK. 2,800 per month (3,500 incl. VAT)

Furniture lease – for tasteful & hassle-free living +45 3131 7443 / info@hellerupstyling.dk / hellerupstyling.dk



Credit: Polish Embassy

... We believe that the only way Europe can handle the terrorist threat is through close co-operation, dialogue and exchange of information.

Mieszko, Swietoslawa (known here in Denmark as Gunnhild), Great. A bit later, Margrethe I adopted Erik of Pomerania from the Griffins dynasty as her son. The Griffins were a cadet branch of the Piast dynasty ruling Poland in the Middle Ages. Erik is known as the king of Denmark, Sweden and Norway.

Credit: Polish Embassy

married Swejn Forkbeard. She was the mother of Canute the

Aboard a Polish naval vessel visiting Copenhagen

Later, in the 18th century, we fought together against Sweden, which is even reflected in the Polish national anthem. Thus, one

a cultural and mentality level, but Denmark is a country that strongly

could say, we have a long-lasting, friendly and fascinating history,

supports the reform agenda of Kiev.

with a lot of dynastic links.

What I conclude from this relationship is that we are neighbours, but in the 20th century as a result of the Cold War, we were somehow artificially separated. It is only now that we are rediscovering the joint heritage.

Q

Danish companies and can you give me any details about specific projects?

Yes, we have a very clear list of areas and priorities where we would like to see even more Polish-Danish co-operation. One of the first sectors is IT and innovation. Another one is energy, followed by the

How would you describe the current relations between Den-

food sector (i.e food production) and opening the Danish market for

mark and Poland?

even more Polish products.

I would say we are close allies – both in the EU and NATO. We are reliable political partners and important economic ones. Since Poland joined the EU in 2004, trading revenues with Denmark have doubled from 2.4 billion euros in 2004 to 5.2 billion last year. And this trend is continuing. At the moment, Poland is Denmark's ninth-largest trading partner, and we will move up the list.

You can find plenty of them on the shelves of Danish supermarkets already, be it food or cosmetics. I'd like to see even more, in particular in the premium sector. One obvious example would be organic products which are not very well-known in Denmark. I think it's also a good way of challenging some of the stereotypes about Poland.

We are delighted to see more than 800 Danish companies invest-

Another sector that is very important for my government at the

ing and operating in Poland. They not only create jobs, contribut-

moment is energy. We are working on a gas pipeline to link the Nor-

ing to the growth and development of my country, they also profit

wegian shelf with the Polish shore via Danish territory. This project,

from having access to a big central European market of 38 million

referred to as Baltic Pipe, will make a strong contribution to Europe's

people.

Polish and Danish companies can join forces and export to third countries. An obvious area to invest in jointly is the whole of Central or Eastern Europe – for example Ukraine – or countries to the south of Poland where we both have joint economic interests and could profit from even closer European co-operation.

Q

Q

energy security..

When I first went to Poland I was struck by seeing how agriculture was very labour-intensive. At the same time, I thought that might be a good thing for Poland potentially, because if they hadn't had a period of intensive chemical farming, it could be a good starting-point for future organic production.

In 1989, Poland was on a very different level from its western partners,

That might be a little difficult in the current political climate.

but because of that, we were somehow able to skip some of the phases

Poland has the advantage of knowing Ukraine extremely well

that western agriculture went through in the 70s and 80s. Therefore

historically, but at the same time, the present situation with

Poland has been in a position to target the new niche for organic prod-

Russia and trade embargoes might make it a little difficult to

ucts and high-quality food production, which targets well the demand of

get such projects off the ground, so presumably this is a long-

Western European consumers, who can be convinced by the taste and

term idea.

quality of the food.

Business co-operation with Russia seems to be a long-term project, but when you speak about Ukraine, it's probably much easier.

As you rightly said, both Denmark and Poland have an interest in a stable neighbour in Ukraine. We probably feel closer to them on

6

Q

Does Poland actively encourage investment partnerships with

I'm sure they can! I've come across some of the Polish craft beers …

That's true! They were a highlight of the last Ølfestival here in Copenhagen and I'm pleased to report that we are organising a craft beer presentation in October to once again show the best of Polish beers.

Another project due to take place in October is a culinary event for

www.cis.dk

journalists, restaurant owners and sales-managers. With the support of a group of best Polish chefs, we will try to show the potential of the

Q

new Polish cuisine and the best Polish products.

What do you see as your primary function as Polish ambassador in Denmark?

My main mission is to promote relations and partnerships to underline the fact that geographically Poland and Denmark are neighbours who were artificially divided for a short period of time by the Iron Curtain.

I'm also very determined to highlight the successful transformation and modernisation of Poland. I promote Poland as a reliable partner, an interesting investment opportunity, and a good tourist destination.

Moreover, I try to encourage people-to-people exchanges and promote Polish language courses in Denmark. I think the better our relations as people are, the closer the co-operation between our countries will

Q

become in the future.

Since it became a democracy, Poland has enjoyed almost unprecedented growth within the EU. What do you think is the reason for that?

You are right to say that since 1989, Poland has been a remarkable success story, in particular when it comes to economic transformation.

This has multiple reasons. First of all, Poland diligently implemented a carefully-designed reform agenda. We were very determined despite the economic and social costs. Poland has also invested heavily in education. We've broadened the group with a higher education, and human resources are probably one of our greatest assets.

I'm proud to say that right from the start of the transformation, we knew where we were heading. Euratlantic integration was our clear goal. We were determined to do what was necessary to meet the membership criteria. We've proved that we are a country of hard-working, trustworthy, entrepreneurial people. We're crisis-resistant and stable and have a predictable economy that offers investors a wide range of opportunities. From the outset, we were determined to make our version of capitalism a bit more Scandinavian and friendly, which paid

Q

off, I think.

Poland has been criticised by the EU for some of the recent laws that the government has passed, particularly the media law and judicial reform. Do you think this is justifiable, or has the EU misunderstood something here?

We are not afraid of criticism or difficult discussions. My government has indicated willingness for dialogue and discussion. However, we are concerned about how quickly people who have not really looked into

To IB or not to be?

That’s really not a question: Only the International Baccalaureate, with close to 4000 member schools, offers a truly international, first-class education for students aged 3 to 19. And with the IB Diploma you will be ready to take on the world and a globalized future together with CIS students from more than 80 nations.

CIS is very proud to be a founding member of the IB and a strong advocate for inclusive and inquirybased learning. Our students learn to ask the right questions instead of memorizing given answers.

And we teach our students at the pace that is just right for them. The results speak for themselves as our graduates are consistently accepted at top universities across the globe. For more information please visit cis.dk

the matter properly have rushed to jump to conclusions – often based on clichés and misapprehensions.

We are reliable partners and proud members of the European community. Poland is one of the most pro-European countries in the EU. We're ready to discuss what needs to be discussed with the Commission. At the same time, regarding the judicial reform – which, I might add, was also controversially discussed in Poland – this is a process that is not yet finished. I think it would be reasonable to await the conclusion of the process and see the final legislation and not just the drafts.

7

Q

How does Poland deal with the terrorist threats that seem to be increasingly common in other European countries? As far as I know, there have not been any major terrorist attacks in Poland.

That's true, but Polish citizens have been victims of the attacks in Berlin, Paris and London. So we are concerned about the terrorist threat.

We believe that the only way Europe can handle the threat is through close co-operation, dialogue and exchange of information. We've appreciated the support that we've received from our European partners and have tried to reciprocate.

Q

I know from personal experience that Poland is a country of great natural diversity and deep historical roots – and an extremely rich

Credit: Polish Embassy

cultural life. What would be your personal recommendations for anyone wishing to visit as a tourist?

Poland is indeed an excellent tourist destination. We have spectacular mountains as well as superb white beaches on the southern shore of the Baltic Sea. Our lakes are worth visiting – though unfortunately largely

The Polish ensemble Violinissimo in Rudersdal

unknown to Danes. Therefore I can only invite you to visit my country.

Warsaw, Krakow, Torun, Poznan, Gdansk and Białystok are magnificent On the other issues, many of the proposals that have been

cities to visit and dive into Polish history and culture ...

implemented are not very different from those adopted by

Poland has a long list of UNESCO heritage sites, such as the Teutonic

other European member-states, be it in the media sector or

Knights' castle of Malbork or the Wieliczka mediaeval salt mine. I

the judiciary. There is perhaps a need for a better information

always tell Danes that they don't have to go to Italy to see what the

strategy. My government probably needs to communicate more

Renaissance was all about. Leonardo da Vinci's 'Lady with Ermine' is

clearly about these proposals, and we acknowledge that.

waiting in Krakow. In the old city centre of Zamość you can basically

It must be stressed that in three decades, Poland went through

see a small Italian city built by the Zamoyski family in the 16th century.

a very difficult transition process. Some of the reforms were

We often joke that if you want to compare the wealth of the Zamoyski

very successful, other were not. In the 2015 election campaign

family to the present-day equivalent, their purchasing power would be

areas such as the media, judiciary and education were consid-

twice that of Bill Gates!

ered to be among those where more progress was desired, so

Poland is also a biking country. We've recently opened a new biking route

therefore the government is basically implementing its election

called ‘Green Velo’ in Eastern Poland going through largely untouched

promises.

Q

nature. You can see a lot of historical and very multi-cultural sites, going back to the Jewish history in Poland or Polish-Ukrainian roots.

Poland's geographical situation seems to offer an ideal opportunity to act as a mediator in the area. Is this part of

Poland is also very proud of its spas and wellness tourism. In the cold

Polish foreign policy?

Danish winter, you can enjoy warm waters in Poland and be pampered

Definitely. We are big supporters of regional co-operation. We

in one of our excellent spas.

regard it as particularly important within an EU of 28 member states. It is always easier to find compromises within a group to promote joint interests and to present positions.

We also see ourselves as a country with two ‘legs’. We have a Baltic leg and we regard the Baltic region, i.e. co-operation with the Nordic & Baltic countries as an important part of our political strategy. We also have a central-European leg – the Visegrad co-operation [Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia].

Because of our geographical location, we see Poland's role in promoting the interests of our eastern European neighbours, Ukraine in particular, but also Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Armenia and Azerbaijan. We can see how diverse these countries are but some of them, like Ukraine and Georgia, are very ready and keen to share our transformation experiences and assist our neighbours in the east in the implementation of their own reform agenda.

8

Credit: Hasse Ferrold

determined to come closer to the European Union. We are

Promoting Polish robot technology in Denmark

Letsgo – Carsharing in Denmark

LetsGo is a flexible and easy way to have access to a car when you live in the city, and much cheaper than having your own car in Denmark.

• LetsGo have 180 new cars in Copenhagen, Odense and Aarhus.

• Our low rates includes gasoline, insurance, tax, parking, maintenance and a 24/7 service hotline.

• The cars are parked at signed parking spaces all around the city.

• We have five different types of cars to meet your demand, from micro to sedans, vans and EVs. • The cars can be reserved in advance or at the last minute for you private or business use.

Free registration at letsgo.dk

WeLCome

BERTEL HAARDER – THE 'GRAND OLD MAN' OF DANISH POLITICS – SPEAKS OUT One of the great personalities of Danish politics, Bertel Haarder holds the distinction of having been the minister who has served in government for the greatest number of days ■ Bertel Haarder is the oldest member of Parliament, and in this capacity he will formally open Folketinget on the first Tuesday in October.

Haarder is a member of the Danish liberal party Venstre. He has been a Euro MP from 1994-2001. Amongst his ministerial portfolios have been education, church and culture, integration, development, Nordic co-operation, health and research.

He was actively involved in the delicate negotiations for expanding the European Union, and it was during the Danish EU presidency when Haarder was minister for European Affairs

A great believer in liberal values, Bertel Haarder is a passionate debater and frequent contributor to the media. He has also written a number of books.

In 2016 Haarder celebrated a record-breaking 7,853 days as minister on October 6

BERTEL HAARDER SPOKE TO THE CPH POST:

riages led to a family reunification. It was not really a reunification

You have had more ministerial experience than anyone

from back home. Turkish girls in particular were quite satisfied that

else in Danish politics. How would you say that things have

it was now possible to refuse the cousin from back home and chose a

changed on the political scene since you first became min-

boyfriend themselves.

Q

ister of education in 1982?

Danish politics has been professionalised. Power in the parties and in the country has become more concentrated. Spin doctors play a larger role and rank-and-file members in Parliament have less influence. That's one of the reasons why we have a recruitment problem. Many of those who really would be qualified to be MPs or cabinet members just don't stand.

They choose other careers – for a good reason.

Q

because the young couple rarely knew each other. It was cousins

After the 24-year rule was introduced, only one-third of the marriages led to family reunification with someone from back home.

That improved integration a lot because earlier the children in the marriages went to school at the age of six or seven without being able to speak Danish. That is a prescription for bad integration, no education, and probably a criminal career in many cases. We put a brake on that. That was very effective. It was a new idea, I know, but it was effective.

What would you say that your greatest achievement was in

You should look at it in combination with the fact that anyone can

your time as minister of integration, and is there anything

come and study in Denmark, and if they are EU citizens, they can even

in particular that you regret not being able to have accom-

get Danish education grants – which are the highest in the world. So

plished?

Well, it may surprise you, but I think the 24-year rule was my most effective measure, and it really improved integration in the country. Before we had that rule, two-thirds of all mar-

10

Credit: Hasse Ferrold

that the EU gained ten more countries.

the country was certainly not closed. It was only in cases in which the only reason for applying to come to Denmark was a marriage. We made it a lot easier to come to Denmark to study and work.

I have very good friends among immigrants and they tend to agree.

Immigrant groups don't see me as someone who did something terrible.

were cast electronically by many, many Danes. There was a lot of

You can ask Rushy Rashid, a radio host on Radio 24/7. She's written

engagement. We finally got the ten values with the most votes. Unfor-

books about arranged marriages. She sent the first book to me and

tunately, one of them was 'hygge', which I certainly didn't expect and

asked me to write the preface in the second one.

didn't want! But that was decided by the people.

Q

In the light of the current gang warfare around Nørrebro do you think that new thinking is needed on the integration front, and if so, what steps do you think are necessary to tackle the problem?

Q

What do you personally feel are the core Danish values?

My core Danish value and the one I value the most is 'confidence'. That is the basis of Danish society and societal structure. It is based on the fact that Denmark is a rather homogeneous country and the private associations – civil society – have always played a huge role, including

I just read a long story in Berlingske today about the leader of Loyal to

in the building up of the welfare state. I think the average Dane is a

Familia. He's a very good example. He's a Pakistani and an upper-class

member of five to seven associations – all sorts of associations. The

one at that. His father was a member of the Copenhagen city council

biggest, of course, are sports associations. Two out of six million are

who went from SF to my party. He then later ran to try and get elected

members of sports associations. If you include gymnastics associations,

mayor in a city in Pakistan. That's the father of one of the worst crimi-

it's almost half the population that take part in voluntary work.

nal gang leaders in the country.

If you look, for example, at museums, we have 100 museums. On aver-

Really, it has nothing to do with integration. It's not because his son

age, those museums have a huge staff of volunteers. I met a lot of them

was treated badly, it's not because he had language problems in school

last Sunday in Herning – 200 volunteers supporting a little museum in

etc. He and his father spoke excellent Danish. They are upper-class

Herning – and that's quite normal. You could also take the festivals as

people. So all these explanations for the gangland shootings – that

an example. The recent Skanderborg Festival is made by 12,500 people

immigrants have been treated badly – that is pure nonsense.

who build a city in a wood outside Skanderborg, and when the festival

Q Q

is over, they take it down again. Next spring, they will build it up again.

So it's because he's basically just a criminal?

That's 12,500 volunteers and Skanderborg is not a big town. I guess

I don't know why he became a criminal. That's always difficult

they have 25,000 people, so it could be half the population of the town

to find out. But he is probably the worst criminal we have in the

that are part of this festival.

country.

I myself devised Folkemødet in Bornholm … In seven years it has become the biggest folkemøde in Scandinavia, with 100,000 partici-

It does seem a little ironic that we can't deport him, whereas

pants, who pay a lot of money to get there. The ferry is expensive, the

we can deport a Romanian beggar who sat outside Nørreport

hotel rooms are expensive, and people have to rent summer houses and

Station …

private rooms. But still, I think it is very, very Danish to go for authentic

You're quite right. I think the Danes are an extremely patient people.

experience. That's what they do at the music festivals and Folkemødet.

We accept that the judges follow Danish law and if we want to change

The government and even local government has nothing to do with it. It

something, we must change the law, but that is difficult because of the

is civil society.

Human Rights Convention and the judges in Strasbourg.

I sometimes admire the Danish people for accepting this, because we would all like to give Mr Khan a kick up the backside and send him back to Pakistan. That's what we'd all like to do, but we respect the fact that a just society is known by the way it treats those it doesn't like. It's so easy to be nice to those we like, but to accept that those we don't like have rights – that's how you can distinguish a society with justice for all.

Q

I know that the cultural canon is something that is close to your heart. How was the decision taken on what things to include or exclude, and were you prepared for the amount of criticism that its release caused?

Actually, there was very little criticism and the reason why is that it was made by the Danish people. There were six months when people could send email suggestions to the Ministry of Culture as to what they thought were the most important values to take into the future. immigrant who divided them into 20 groups. Each of the 20 groups was given a headline, and then there was a vote and 300,000 votes

Credit: News Oresund

It ended with 2,524 proposals and there were six people including an

President of the Nordic Council Bertel Haarder with Frederik Reinfeld, then Swed Haarder at Folkemødet in Bornholm in 2012

11

Q

You were the main initiative-taker in what has become one of the most successful political events of recent year the

would like us to have a more systematic way of creating new thoughts, creating new models, uniting us in many ways.

Folkemødet in Bornholm. Has it lived up to your expectations?

What is very necessary at present is defence co-operation. It's

I never imagined that it would be so successful. The first year there

extremely important for the Baltic Sea states that the Nordics co-

were 12,000 participants. Now there are 100,000 on a little island

operate. Since Finland and Sweden are not members of NATO, it

in a little town. It's not only politics, it's also culture, debates about

is even more important that we have defence co-operation. There's

education, and health and rural policies. I think there were 2,300

nothing to prevent us from co-operating in defence, and the NATO

events this year.

countries have nothing against it.

Q

You should also remember that it's not only the Baltic states, it is also

Is there not, perhaps, a danger that Folkemødet could increasingly

the last part of the Arctic, which is increasingly important. Denmark

become dominated by lobbyists, journalists and politicians – all

happens to be an Arctic nation because of Greenland, so that is one of

wanting to profile themselves rather than interacting with the gen-

my top priorities. At the end of September we have the annual confer-

eral public at eye-level, which was presumably the original idea?

ence on defence in Helsinki and I will be attending.

I think quite the opposite. The first year it was dominated by lobby-

I would like a lot more co-operation in many areas – also when it

ists. We don't have 100,000 lobbyists in Denmark! Two-thirds of the

comes to the media. We had a case in which an extremely popular

participants are simply ordinary people who want to meet people

Norwegian TV series, 'Skam', became very popular in Denmark and

they know from the media in person. They want to go there with other

Sweden. Suddenly, we couldn't see it anymore because of rights issues.

people. They want to sing – there's a lot of singing – and next Friday,

I've suggested that when the public service stations negotiate with the

there is a folkemøde in Mors and I'm going there too.

rights-holders, they should negotiate on behalf of the entire Nordic

Q

community. That way, we will never again experience a situation in

What is your opinion on the value of Nordic co-operation rela-

which people are prevented from learning to understand Norwegian –

tive to, for example, the co-operation that takes place within the

or Swedish, for that matter. There is a great need to keep the common

EU?

language. In the past, we spoke almost the same language. Now, far

I am passionately in favour of Nordic co-operation. I think we should

too many people don't understand other Nordic languages. 'Skam' did

co-operate a lot more, particularly in defence, in health policies and when it comes to immigration. There are so many areas in which we ought to co-operate a lot more.

I would like us to have a parallel to the EU Commission. You know how many people are employed in the EU Commission? Too many, of course! But in the Nordic co-operation, we have too few – less than 100 in fact ... less than 50 civil servants and that is too little. I

a lot to increase the understanding of Norwegian amongst Danes and Swedes – even when it is spoken by teenagers!

Q

It's also become a musical, hasn't it?

Yes, that's right and it's a lot better than Beverly Hills!

Q

Finally, hypothetically, if you could choose another

ministerial post, what would it be and why?

Q

Well, I was minister for education and research for 15 years and maybe that's where I belong. But I was also very happy to be minister of health and the interior. And of course, I've been minister for European affairs, so I'd love to be foreign minister. Why not?

Q

Why not indeed! I'm sure you have plenty more years …

Q

… But I'd hate to be minister for taxation. The reason is that there is a huge scandal in the ministry where eight ministers have been involved. So when I speak to audiences, I always underline the fact that I've never been minister of taxation, and thank God for that!

Q

Well you could say that if you became minister now, you could be remembered as the one who cleaned it

Credit: Johannes Jansson

all up, so you could take credit for that!

12

Q

That would be flattering!

Mr Haarder, many thanks for your time.

President of the Nordic Council Bertel Haarder with Frederik Reinfeld, then Swedish PM

Scan this QR and get our App

Wherever you are, at least one thing remains the same.

The Mercedes-Benz quality and comfort are ubiquitous and second to none. Likewise, this applies to the Mercedes-Benz service. Our Diplomatic Sales organisation has decades of experience in personal and professional guidance and assistance for diplomats and international organisations.

We handle everything within vehicle configuration and exclusive pricing. Additionally, our financial solutions range from leasing plans to insurance for diplomatic vehicles.

What's more, we take care of all practical matters – registration, service-plans, even a vehicle manual in your language.

Call Mercedes-Benz.

Ask for our Diplomatic Sales expert, Claus Albæk. +45 4516 5921 / claus.albaek@daimler.com

Hørsholm: Ådalsvej 54, Tlf. 4516 5959. Ishøj: Baldersbækvej 8M, Tlf. 8880 4848. Søborg: Dynamovej 7, Tlf. 4485 5757. www.mercedesbenzcph.dk

14

ncy

Pelosi

:

Na

Sc

o tt

is h P

arliamen

t

Cre

Cre

dit

dit

:

Many of the faces on these pages will be familiar to readers of CPH POST as they are Denmark’s foreign ambassadors and feature regularly in Hasse Ferrold’s About Town.

DENMARK’S AMBASSADORS FOR ASIA Azerbaijan sse

Ferrold

Ha

ss e

Ferrold

dit

Ha

:

Ferrold

Brunei

Cambodia

China

India

Indonesia

Dato bin Haji Ali

Meas Kim Heng

Deng Ying

Rajeev Shahare

Muhammad Said

lm.embassy.

South Korea Jai-Chul Choi

sse

:k

dit Cre

Ferrold

Thailand Vimon Kidchob

op

dit

.o r g cw

Cre

Qatar Khalid Al-Khater

Mufeed M Shami

Ferrold

Cre

Sri Lanka Renuka Rajapakse

ss e

:

:

Ha

Malaysia

Cre Ha

t.se

Norlin Othman

Palestine

Syed Zulfiqar Gardezi

go v.

huse

Laos

Ha

sse

Ferrold :

k ho

ga

Ha

sse

Ferrold

dit

oc

dit

st

Cre

Singapore Karan Thakral

.uk

:

:

Ferrold

dit

:

ss e

Cre

dit

Cre

it:

Cred

Saudi Arabia Fahad Alruwaily

Ha

lk

:

Ferrold

un

Bounpheng Saykanya

dit

Oman Khalid Ba Omar

ss e

o rg

ww

Cre

Cre

North Korea Kang Yong Dok

Ha

d.

Pakistan

Nepal

o ld Ferr

dit

r (@ s a x _ lt)

Yuba Nath Lamsal

Ferrold

Cre

t te

se

dit

i Tw

as

Cre

nt.lv

H

Cre

Cre

Kuwait Nabeel Al Dakheel

Myanmar

se

r account

Kazakhstan

r

ide

t te

Dastan Yeleukenov

:

es

i Tw

:

:

y.se

dit

pr

dit

:

b a ss

w. fi

Japan Toshiro Suzuki

com

Cred

em

Cre

Cre

fl

kr.

it:

ic

kz

dit

Ferrold

:

se

dit

dit

Cre

Cred it:

as

Iraq Alaa Musa

com

Cred

H

dit

Ferrold

:

sse

dit

Ha

:

o ld Ferr :

se

Kyaw Zwar Minn

H

ss e

Bhutan

kr.

as

Ha

Cre

g

:

y.o r

dit

e m b as s

:

odi a n

Cre

:

mb

Cre

dit

Cre

Cre

dit Cre

ca

Pema Choden

Iran

fl

st. c o m

Muhammad Muhith

Morteza Moradian

ic

ip o

Bangladesh

it:

H

as

gm

dit

m e n t.se :

n ver go

dit

:

Ferrold

k

:

se

.u

H

as

dit

Tahir Taghizadeh

Cre

Afghanistan Shukria Barakzai

United Arab Emirates Fatema Almazrouei

Vietnam Nguyen TruongThanh

15

South Sudan Majok Guandong

:r

:

dit

dit

Cre

et

it:

Cred

Ivory Coast

iw

Ferrold

Cre t te

Christine Nkulikiyinka

D ipl o m a

t

am

bia

Sierra Leone Edward Turay

s embas y.se :T

Ferrold it:

wi

t te

r acc

ount Jo

se p

h

Cre

Cred

Cre

o ot s

dit

sse

z

Ha

s sr

it:

Rwanda

Ferrold

ra

Cred

Cre

Cre

Niger Amadou Tcheko

sse

Abdellahi Kebd

r

dit

i Tw

Namibia

Ha

CW

Mauritania

Mali Toumani Diallo

Morina Muuondjo Os

OP

dit

:

al

et eb.n

G

ss e

o ld Ferr

Mina Balde-Laurent

it: Ha

se

Guinea

Cred

urt.se

as

H

c-press.n

Fatoumata Balde

Malawi Kena Mphonda

:

lc o

m ati

Cre m

ir

Cre

ya

p lo

(Diplomatic Corps Dean)

orce News dF

dit

Th

:

ro

:

dit

Cre s

e rr ol d se F

:

Ha

Di

dit

:

.o

Gambia

Cre

Sudan Ahlam Ali

sm

Elizabeth Ya Eli Harding

:

sy o f S u d a n i n

ib le -c a p it ali

dit

bas

o ns

Ethiopia

dit

Em

Cre

dit

Cre

Cre

South Africa Zindziswa Mandela

:

g dit

.or

sp

ng

:

n ankara

se

Sa

dit

sud a

re

Woinshet Tadesse

Cre

Morocco Khadija Rouissi

u th

se

dit

s

Mozambique

So

Cre

dit

: o World New

Frances Rodriques

Ferrold

mb.

dit

: o cc

Cre

Cre

Cre

or

lo

:

M

Mauritius

sse

he

Libya

:

a/I A E A :

C al m

et

Mohamed Selim

dit

:

an

ou r t.

Chad

Ethel Davis

dit

De

alc

Mahamat Senoussi

Cre

Cre

dit

Cre

Cre

om

oy

Cameroon

Liberia

Paramente Phamotse

web.com

Nkwelle Ekaney

u at o ri al e .eu

Girish Nunkoo

Ha

16

nd

roo n

Burundi

äsident espr

Lesotho

dit

:

sym agazin e.c

Bu

me

Currently no ambassador

dit

t

:

so

Kenya

b as

e -e q

dit

le

Joseph Sang

Em

in e

ca

Botswana

Carmelo Nvono-Nca

mbassy.ie hoe

lt

Cre

it:

i

:

loz

dit

:

itt

)

tw

Egypt Salwa Moufid

rp. w.l

Lameck Nthekela

Equatorial Guinea

Djibouti Omar Said c co u nt (b a er a

gu

dit

:

o ld Ferr

Cred

it:

o st nP

Cred

se

ww

Cre

dit as

g

Eusebe Agbangla

Cre

hin

H

n/The Was

n. d k

Cre

Cre

Cre

Angola Isaias Vilinga

K ah

beni

Benin

Algeria

ki

ba

rg

ik

am

:

.l v

:

dent

dit

e si

Ali Benzerga

to

N

pr

:

Ferrold :

ss e

dit

Ha

dit

:

DENMARK’S AMBASSADORS FOR AFRICA

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Zaake Kibedi

Dora Msechu

Edith Mutale

Zimbabwe Samuel Mhango

Norway Ingvard Havnen

: Cre

Cre :

n Foreign Min

i st

r

it:

Cred H as

se Ferrold

:

it:

Georgia

H

as

se

Ferrold

dit

:

Cre

H

as

se

Italy Stefano Palmas it :

un

esco

Malta

Moldova

Joseph Cole

Ferrold

it:

.org

Cr

ed

e rr old ss e F

Ha

Oleg Serebrian

e rr old ss e F ed

Ferrold

Ha

Cr

it:

Macedonia

ed

se

nia

Gigi Gigiadze

it:

Ha

sse Ferrold

Cre

Cr

as

dit

H

s to

Israel

o ld Ferr

it: sse Ferrold

Bulgaria

Barukh Binah

Naim Memeti

:

Ha

Cre

Netherlands Henk Swarttouw

se

dit

t:

:

e

di

Cr

dit

:

Ferrold

Cre

dit Cre

Montenegro Miroslav Scepanovic

as

Cred

Cre

Cre

Luxembourg Gérard Philipps

:

Lithuania

sse

ed

Cre

Ferrold

Ginte Damusis

Ha

Ferrold

Ireland

Latvia

u s e t. s e

ss e

Cliona Manahan

Kaspars Ozolins

g ah

Ha

Iceland

Kosovo

n ku

France Francois Zimeray

Benedikt Jónsson

Skender Xhakaliu

Ferrold

Cr

sse

Finland

ed

Ha

ss e

Roussi Ivanov

Ferrold

Currently no ambassador

dit

:

Ferrold

H

Ferrold

:

sse

ss e

dit

:

Ha

Ha

Cre

Lázló Hellebrandt

Efthalia Kakiopoulou

dit

:

dit

Hungary

Greece

Ferrold

Cre

Ferrold

ss e

Cre

it:

Cred

Cre

Germany

sse

Ha

dit

:

o ld Ferr

sse

Cre

Märt Volmer

se

Ha

Cr

Estonia

Currently no ambassador

Ha

Haris Basic

Cre

Czech Republic

as

Ferrold

Bosnia and Herzegovina

rrold e Fe

Maria Papakyriakou

Claus Krumrei

Ha

Belgium Leo Peeters

Cyprus

dit

H

Ferrold

dit

:

sse

ss

Belarus Alexander Ostrovsky

dit

dit

Cre

Cre

Croatia Frane Krnic

Ha

Ha

ss e

dit

ss

r r old e Fe :

Ha

:

s

Austria Currently no ambassador

Ha

dit

dit

Cre

it:

Cred

Cre

as

er r ol d eF

dit

:

Armenia Currently no ambassador

Ferrold

sse

y

H

Albania Kastriot Robo

Ha

dit

o ld Ferr

E

se

:

as

:

Ferrold

se

H

H

as

dit

:

DENMARK’S AMBASSADORS FOR EUROPE

Poland

Portugal

Henryka Moscicka-Dendys

Rui Macieira

Romania

Russia

Mihai-Alexandru Gradinar

Mikhail Vanin

17

:

:

dit

dit

Cre

Cre

Cre

t.lv :

Re

gje

rin g e

n. n o

Cre

Cre

dit

dit

:

: dit

d en

Ecuador

El Salvador

Mario Guerrero

Anita Escher

v.jm go

:

Ha

sse

Ferrold :

is .

as

se

Ferrold

dit

Cre

Cre

H

Cre

b.hn

dit

.g o re

dit

Honduras

Jamaica

Mexico

Nicaragua

Roberto Ochoa

Aloun Ndombet-Assamba

José Bolivar

Ricardo Alvarado

ebo

o k p a g e o f th

eE

Ha

sse

Ferrold :

c Fa

Ha

sse

Ferrold

dit

Ferrold

:

ss e

dit

Ha

Cre

Cred

OCEANIA

di t

Ferrold

Fiji

Jitoko Tikolevu

New Zealand Janet Lowe

Vatican City

Venezuela

Henryk Nowacki

Aura de Orti

(deputy ambassador)

Cre

Cre

H

se as

:

g. u

Uruguay Santiago Wins

EC

Au

diovisual Serv

ice

dit

.or

Laura Lochman

Cre

m issi o n

United States

:

hco m

Peru Jose Beraun

dit

:

H

it: Cred

e si

ss y

fi

ig jih

k

Australia

pr

Cuba

ba

Dominic Schroeder

o ld Ferr

18Damien Miller

Chile Flavio Tarsetti

United Kingdom

Turkey Currently no ambassador se as

Ferrold

se

Yiliam Sardiñas

Cre

o ld Ferr

it:

H

se

as

Costa Rica

m

Cre

as

Ferrold

Cre

Ferrold

:

sse

ss e

H

Pilar Rocafort

dit

Ha

Guatemala Francisco Gross Hernandez-Kramer

dit

:

Switzerland Benedikt Wechsler

Ha

:j

t

Ferrold

Canada

Cre

dit fa .l

sse

Emi Furuya

dit

:

.m

dit

cz

Cre

Cre

Cre

Sweden Fredrik Jörgensen

EA

Cre

Ferrold

Ha

Carlos da Rocha

:

sse

Ferrold

dit

Ha

dit

dit

:

Ferrold

se

Cre

Enrique de Gana

Sonia Duran

:s

Tone Kajzer sse

IA

Cre

Cre Ha

Spain

as

dit

it: Ferrold

Colombia

Slovenia

H

Brazil

Bolivia

:

ss e

Cre

dit

Ha

dit

:

Ferrold Cre

:

H

se as

o ld Ferr

Cred

Cre

Boris Gandel

Ferrold

se

Juan Baldiviezo

Conrado Solari

dit

H

se as

as

:

Ferrold

H

:

sse

Argentina

Slovakia

Dragana Ivanovic

:

Ha

Cre

Cre

Serbia

:

ld Ferro

dit

a

:H

s

sse

dit

Ha

e rr ol d se F

dit

:

DENMARK’S AMBASSADORS FOR EUROPE, OCEANIA AND THE AMERICAS EUROPE

Papua New Guinea Peter Maginde

Should you notice any omissions, outof-date information or errors (mis-identifications, spelling etc), please don’t hesitate from contacting CPH POST at benhamilton374@gmail.com

GOOD WINE AT GREAT PRICES

ONLINE GROCERY STORE – with same day delivery!

KUKS – FACILITATING CONTACT BETWEEN THE FOREIGN SOCIETIES IN DENMARK Sometimes a neutral space can be necessary so that discussions can take place informally across borders, religions and political points of view

■ KUKS, or The Cultural Confederation of Foreign Societies, is an umbrella organisation that aims to provide a forum for the individual member societies to keep in contact with each other, as well as interacting with the respective embassies.

Among their annual membership events are gatherings where societies and embassies can be brought together, and every second year, Copenhagen's town hall opens its doors to KUKS where they invite embassies to exhibit culinary specialities from their respective countries.

THE ORIGINS Kaj Larssen, the current president, has had a long career in the HR side of banking. He's also president of the St Andrew Society of Denmark and a keen bagpipe player – so much so that he'd been invited to play at the Edinburgh Tattoo this summer.

Q

Mr Larssen, how did the organisation came into being?

Back in 1970, the Danish ambassador in London at the time and the future KUKS chairman Thomas Sonne talked about the fact that all these foreign societies existed, but didn't have a forum where they could discuss things.

From the start it was agreed that KUKS should be a non-political and secular forum. We don't take sides on any issues that can cause friction.

A NEUTRAL SPACE KUKS is a 'neutral space' where things can be discussed across borders, across different points of view and across political views. This is a unique opportunity.

The set-up allows ambassadors to meet under the organisation's umbrella and talk with people they wouldn't normally be able to be in contact with officially.

Having HRH Prince Henrik as patron has also been a great help.

20



■

A DANE IN LOVE WITH SCOTLAND

You are a Dane. How did you get involved with the St Andrew Society of Denmark?

It all started when I was 12 years old and with the Danish scouts in Scotland. When I came back, I told my parents that I wanted to play the bagpipes! Of course they thought that I'd quickly forget about that but I didn't. I started when I was 16 with a teacher in Copenhagen, but that was rather limited. It was when I was 19 or 20 that I really took it up seriously and went to Scotland to learn.

My relationship with KUKS came about because of this. Thomas Sonne heard that I played the pipes in a band with the then-president of the St Andrew Society. We played at a KUKS arrangement in the old Odd Fellows Palæ and we were invited back several times subsequently.

Q

You told me in your email that you were going to play at the Edinburgh tattoo. That sounds exciting ...

I'd never have got anywhere near that if I hadn't been lucky enough to meet the right people at the right time. I was in Scotland in the 70s for an extended period and I was able to have lessons from the principal of the school of piping at Edinburgh Castle. He was ex-Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and the queen's piper. It would have been impossible to find a better teacher!

I've also had the opportunity to learn from some of the world's best pipers – not that it has

At the St Patrick's Day celebrations

AIMED AT A DIFFERENT MEMBERSHIP GROUP

Q

Q

Does that mean that in theory you could be president for life?

No! The committee can remove you if you

What is the difference between KUKS and the International Copenhagen Club run by

don't live up to expectations. However, we don't have an upper time limit. It depends on

Hasse Ferrold profiled in the first Diploma-

how much time you have and whether what

cy supplement?

Our membership is comprised of societies.

Hasse's club is open to individuals as well as people from the diplomatic service, although there are inevitably some overlaps.

necessarily rubbed off on my playing!

you do is appreciated.

Q

CHALLENGES FOR THE FUTURE And what of the future for KUKS? The problem here could be keeping up the

Q

THE GOVERNING BODY OF KUKS How is the board of KUKS chosen?

Our board is drawn from the chairpersons of the respective societies. We put out feelers

momentum within the societies. Membership numbers within the member societies are shrinking – nowadays some of them have around 10 percent of the numbers they had.

and try to find someone who is willing to con-

Social media are increasingly becoming

tribute something. We have a small committee

more and more important, so societies have a

consisting of seven people and it is vital that

challenge to remain relevant in this world. The

these people are willing to work and can also

answer might be to make our events more à la

work together.

carte and allow more people to attend them.

21

GRETE FAREMO – COMMITTED TO MAKING UN PROJECTS DELIVER Grete Faremo joined UNOPS (the United Nations office for project services) in August 2014 as under-secretary-general and executive director

Q

You have had a very successful high-level

Free movement has been considered a good

career in Norwegian politics. What made

idea for decades. Citizens have enjoyed free

you decide to leave all this behind and

movement in the Nordics since the 1950s

move to a UN agency?

and the Schengen extended free movement

I was a member of the Norwegian govern-

to Europe.

ment until stepping down after elections in 2013.

I have a long history in development co-operation, as well as a long private sector career, which made the UNOPS executive

Q

Do you feel that your previous political career has been an advantage when it comes to trying to get the UN's sustainable development goals implemented?

Yes! UNOPS is all about implementation. We

director position very attractive to me.

don't have a policy mandate. The Sustainable

Here, I can apply and practise all that I

Development Goals (SCDs) are all about

have learned in international co-operation,

implementation. As a former minister of

business and politics.

development, I know how donors think.

Q

In our dialogue with partners, we focus on

As justice minister in Norway, you were

how UNOPS can add as much value to their

involved in the negotiations on security and free movement of labour. In the light of the migrant crisis that we are seeing at

ambitious. UN member states have no time

the moment and the backlash it is caus-

and money to lose, and UNOPS can help the

ing in Europe, do you still think that free

drive towards impact and results.

movement is a good idea?

Q

I successfully negotiated Norway’s access to

What ambitions do you have in terms of

the Schengen agreement back in 1994-96.

projects that are particularly close to your

It has served us well, as it has facilitated free movement for citizens as well as extended co-operation to fight crime and

Credit:Torgeir Haugaard

projects as possible. The SDGs are very

heart?

My ambition is that UNOPS delivers as agreed – or even beyond expectations. I am

enhance security. One cannot work without

proud to see that we deliver successfully

the other in my opinion.

in very difficult circumstances. More than

■ Born in Byglandsfjord in Norway, Faremo has had held various senior-level positions for the Norwegian government, most recently as minister of justice and public security.

A member of parliament from 1993-1997, Faremo has also held the post of minister of development co-operation (1990-1992), minister of justice (1992-1996), minister of oil and energy (1996) and minister of defence (2009-2011).

A law graduate specialising in international law, Faremo also brings a wealth of experience from the for the Norwegian insurance group Storebrand, and director of law and corporate affairs at Microsoft's western European office.

22

Credit: UN Photo

private sector, having been executive vice president

Grete Faremo and former UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon in Copenhagen.



 60 percent of our projects take place in countries in fragile,

... UNOPS is committed to focusing on women's rights in our projects, as well as in our internal policies.

conflict-affected and vulnerable situations.

When I see that our projects help build local jobs for young people, as well as providing opportunities for education to children and basic things such as clean water and decent sanitation facilities to women and girls, I feel that UNOPS is doing something very important!

Q

I know that the UN is placing a special focus on the issue of women's rights. How do you think you are able to contribute to this?

Absolutely! UNOPS is committed to focusing on women's rights in our projects, as well as in our internal policies. We make sure that women are beneficiaries on equal footing with the men.

We have to make sure women see equal career opportunities at

Credit: UNOPS

UNOPS too. We have a way to go, though.

At Wonkifong Health Centre in Guinea following the ebola outbreak

Q

I know that this is a bit of a cliché, but do you think that being a woman has been an advantage or a disadvantage when pursuing UN policy goals? After all, some countries are not as advanced as Scandinavia on equality issues ...

Scandinavian countries have a lot to contribute. We have built solid institutions and a high level of education. A strong state offers solid services with a high level of transparency and low levels of corruption to its citizens. It helps me in my thinking about what matters in my job: inclusiveness! The SDGs aim to leave no-one behind.

Q

Finally, I was intrigued to see on your CV that you have been on the board of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra. Is music a particular interest of yours and do you manage to go to concerts in Copenhagen?

I love music – and culture more broadly too. I used to sing a lot in the earlier days. Now, I travel a lot. But, I have been to some concerts in Copenhagen, very often with my husband – to the opera, Tivoli, UN City and even to some churches. He is

Credit: KOICA

a trained opera singer and actor and makes sure to take me At a Korea International Cooperation Agency meeting with vice president

now and then.

Wooyoung Chung

Worldwide moving and Relocation Solutions

Worldwide Moving

Copenhagen

Immigration & Home Search

Aarhus

Aalborg

Odense

Free Online Quote

Hillerød

Stockholm

Furniture Rental Service

Phone +45 70 221 226 The international brand name of MØBELTRANSPORT DANMARK

inquiries@aspiremobility.com

aspiremobility.com

23

DIPLOMACY NEWS

DENMARK BLAZES When Denmark announced the appointment of a digital ambassador at the end of January this year, it certainly started something Denmark has confirmed Casper Klynge as its new digital ambassador – a position that generated worldwide headlines when the foreign minister, Anders Samuelsen, announced the curveball appointment earlier this year.

“Denmark is reported to be creating the position of technology or digital ambassador – that some have dubbed the ‘Silicon Valley Ambassador’ – in order to better engage digital firms such as Apple, Google and Facebook."

Casper Klynge, formerly the Danish ambassador to Indonesia, will be based in Silicon Valley, but will also have a global mandate.

For Ho, the appointment is clearly a bold step into a future in which corporations and countries will become synonymous.

“With the digital ambassador taking the leading role, we will seek a closer dialogue with a broad spectrum of actors in the tech sector – companies, research institutes, countries, authorities and organisations,” commented Samuelsen.

FOLLOWING DENMARK’S LEAD? Already, several countries are following Denmark’s lead. Campaigning in this year’s UK general election, the Labour Party announced in its manifesto that if it were elected, it would “appoint a digital ambassador to liaise with technology companies to promote Britain as an attractive place for investment and provide support for start-ups to scale up to become world-class digital businesses”.

"Our digital ambassador will help to ensure businesses are ready to grow and prosper in the digital age,” the manifesto concluded.

SAVVY SINGAPORE Singapore, one of the most high-techsavvy countries in the world, is also aware of the Danish initiative.

In a lecture reported in Singapore Today, Peter Ho, the senior adviser to the Centre for Strategic Futures, said: 24

“This is almost as if technology was its own country, unlike the present and certainly the past,” he continued.

“For Singapore, such an approach would build on our earlier efforts to partner other cities and sub-national regions to plug them into international production networks.”

IRELAND FIRST? However, the idea is perhaps not quite so novel after all. Ireland has in fact had a sort of digital ambassador for at least four years.

Film producer David Puttnam has been the country's 'national digital champion' since 2012.

His role has been to contribute to the development and implementation of the Irish government’s 'National Digital Strategy'. He has been attempting to raise the profile of national digital objectives.

He has just stepped down from the post, but the Irish Department of Communications said that it will now begin considering who would be best suited to take over the role, so the Irish evidently realise the importance of the post.

Credit: Hasse Ferrold

DIGITAL AMBASSADOR TRAIL UAE Ambassador Fatima Khamis Al Mazrouei (left)

■ UAE’S NEW EMBASSY The United Arab Emirates has opened up an embassy in Denmark at Havnegade 39. The new ambassador is Fatima Khamis Al Mazrouei, one of three new female head of missions appointed by the country. She takes over from Sultan Rashid AlKaitoob, the UAE ambassador in Sweden, who was also responsible for Estonia and Finland, where Noora Mohammed Juma has assumed duties.

■ NO US AMBASSADOR Despite reports the US would have a new ambassador installed by late July and Donald Trump describing his preferred candidate as “high quality” in late March, deputy ambassador Laura Lochman continues to head the mission. As is customary following a change in administration, Rufus Gifford vacated the office in February but was back in town in August to take part in the Copenhagen Pride Week festivities.

■ FAREWELL OLD FRIENDS Two of Denmark’s longest serving ambassadors – Luxembourg’s Gerard Philipps and Armenia’s Hrachya Aghajanyan – have bid farewell to these shores. Philipps, who will be missed for his virtuoso guitar performances, held a reception to say au revoir on June 24, while Aghajanyan, who performed acting dean of the diplomatic corps duties at Philipps’ farewell, officially said goodbye four days later.

■ COMINGS AND GOINGS Six other ambassadors bid farewell to these shores over the summer: Ann-Marie Nyroos (Finland), Ernst-Peter Brezovsky (Austria), Jiri Brodsky (Czech Republic), Mehmet Donmez (Turkey), Masroor A Junejo (Pakistan) and Damien Miller (Australia), who has been replaced by Mary Ellen Miller – no relation. Other new ambassadors include Yuba Nath Lamsal (Nepal) and Deng Ying (China).

■ FOREIGN WORKER RISE There are 201,461 foreign full-time employed workers in Denmark – the equivalent of almost every tenth worker in Denmark hailing from abroad – according to Dansk Industri.

Leading the way were Poland with 26,055, followed by Germany (16,335), Romania (14,177), Sweden (13,600), the UK (8,442), Lithuania (8,193), Turkey (7,829), Norway (6,375), Ukraine (4,697) and Italy (4,595).

25

Coming Up Soon at ...

BY HASSE FERROLD

ABOUT TOWN

On September 19, City Hall is once again rolling out the red carpet to welcome newly-arrived internationals to Hellopenhagen, an expat fair where they can learn about the wide selection of organisations and clubs they can join. It’s hard to dispute that a network of team-mates or fellow enthusiasts can make a massive difference to integrating into a new country. So softball fans, what are you waiting for … we hear the Copenhagen Cougars are looking for players

Parliament will reopen on October 3 this year with addresses from its speaker Pia Kjærsgaard and PM Lars Løkke Rasmussen in the presence of the queen, other royals and dignitaries, and members of the diplomatic corps. Played out in front of the TV cameras, there are no debates but plenty of regalia as Folketinget begins a new sessional year

It wouldn’t be autumn without another one-month run of a That Theatre production, and this year the indefatigable Ian Burns, a long-time CPH POST contributor, has chosen Willy Russell’s splendid play Educating Rita, which was made into a film in 1983 starring Michael Caine and Julie Walters in Oscar-nominated performances. The October 25 premiere at Krudttønden, the scene of the 2015 terror attack, is a great place to meet thespians and creatives from the city’s niche English-language theatre scene and beyond

Pencil Sunday September 24 into your diary, along with the morning after, as the date of the German Federal Election. Chasing a fourth term in office, Chancellor Angela Merkel holds a 13-16 percent lead in the polls 26

The Latin American Festival continues to grow in size, as does the number of people from the region in Denmark. This summer has already seen celebrations of dance and film under the festival’s umbrella and from September 27-30 it is the turn of literature

If there’s one day this autumn to leave your diary free, it’s October 13 when Culture Night returns to Copenhagen. Once again the night owls will be out in force as the city’s galleries, institutions and other venues host countless events to entertain the the capital’s culture vultures

BY HASSE FERROLD

Friday October 27 will see the 47th KUKS International Gala Festival of National Fare take over City Hall as a large number of the diplomatic corps take the opportunity to oversee stands showcasing their countries. Held in honour of UN Day on October 24, the Cultural Confederation of Foreign Societies (KUKS) co-operates with the United Nations to promote international understanding, friendship and respect to further encourage peaceful co-existence amongst the nations of the world

International Club Copenhagen is an exclusive club for dignitaries run by About Town’s Hasse Ferrold that arranges monthly informative meetings on subjects within the spheres of culture, politics and bilateral relations. Recent ICC meetings have included (left-right) an audience with Rigspolitichef head Jens Henrik Højbjerg at the Danish National Police HQ; an 'After-Hours Get-Together’ at the Korean Embassy; and a post-COP21 event featuring Connie Hedegaard, the former European commissioner.

Membership is by invite only

No festive season is complete without watching the Crazy Christmas Cabaret, an English-language comedy show penned by long-time Copenhagen Post columnist Vivienne McKee, who has been delighting both Danish and international audiences since the early 1980s. Premiering on November 14 at Tivoli’s Glassalen theatre, McKee will once again be milking the White House for inspiration. Planet Trump: The Farce Awakens is episode 35 of a show that continues to grow in popularity, and the run continues until early January

The Remembrance Sunday ceremony at Bispebjerg Kirkegaard on November 11 is always a well-attended affair, particularly given the ongoing centenary of World War I. Next year’s ceremony will mark the 100th anniversary of the armistice itself

Tivoli is rarely shut for long. On September 24, its summer season is closing, but it will soon be open for Halloween from October 13 to November 5. And then two weeks later, it will be opening its doors for its Christmas season – on November 18

City Hall is the place to be for the country’s municipal elections on November 21. Among the candidates is Britain’s Keith Gray, who is standing for Socialdemokratiet in Copenhagen – one of an increased number of foreign nationals standing for election 27

THE INSIDE STORY

THE ITALIAN RESIDENCE IN COPENHAGEN - A NOBLE EXTERIOR WITH A SUMPTUOUS INTERIOR

Credit: Jens Lindhe

■

You'd be hard put to find an ambassadorial residence in Copenhagen better situated than the Italian one. The building is right next to Amalienborg, the home of the Danish Royal Family, and is an attractive mix of Rococco and Baroque styles.

28

The Italian residence seen from the courtyard of Amaleinborg

■

The residence is in fact two houses and originally each building was

divided into five flats. In 1907-08, the corner house was consolidated into one large mansion for a well-to-do family.

Further changes were made in 1920 when the-then owner, Emil Glückstadt, who was the head of Landmandsbanken, acquired the neighbouring house in Amaliegade.

Glückstadt had the first and second floor turned into one large ballroom the size of the entire house in order to display a set of newly-acquired Brussels tapestries framed by oak panelling – probably acquired from a demolished palace in France.

In 1924 the house was acquired by the Italian State – with the approval of the then head of government and minister for foreign affairs, Benito Mussolini – as seat of the Italian diplomatic representation in Denmark.

Among the very few pieces remaining from the Glückstadt era are a famous 18th Century ceiling painting, 'The Triumph of Galatea', by Henrik Krock, the most celebrated artist at the

More recently, the building has undergone a refurbishment the Italian way – from Cantù furniture in Empire style and

The staircase of the residency

early 19th century silverware and porcelain from the House

Credit: Jens Lindhe

courts of Christian VI and Frederik V.

of Savoy, to 16th century Baroque paintings on loan from the Naples Museum of Capodimonte, antique Venetian mirrors and, more recently, 'modern classic' chairs from Kartell.

The ballroom and adjacent halls are open to the public on many occasions and used for a variety of events such as jazz and classical concerts, art exhibitions, guided tours, fashion

Credit: Jens Lindhe

Further reading: Chris Fischer and Hanne Raabymagle 'Den Italienske ambassade i København. L'ambasciata Italiana a Copenaghen', Copenhagen 2007.

Credit: Jens Lindhe

shows, scientific conferences and promotional activities.

The ballroom. The Rococo chest of drawers under the 18th century Venetian mirror is one of the few pieces of furniture remaining from the Glückstadt era

The Green Room ceiling features the 'Triumph of Galatea' by Henrik Krock

29

A DIPLOMATIC UPBRINGING

MEETING A FUTURE NOBEL PRIZE WINNER AND LEARNING LANGUAGES CPH POST interviewed Antonio Cascias whose father, although now retired, served as a diplomat for his country

■ Life as the child of a diplomat can be isolating and full of uncertainty, putting a strain on friendships and forcing young people to adapt quickly to new cultural environments and languages.

In which countries did your father serve?

Belgium (where I was born), USA, Denmark, the Netherlands, Czech Republic.

What country did he represent?

Portugal.

What years was he active?

Antonio’s father was Portugal’s ambassador to Denmark from 1986 to 1991.

Life as a son of a diplomat is a very privileged one – and can at times be superficial.

Graduating from the English college in Prague 30

Did you ever accompany your father abroad? If so, what was it like to be a foreigner there?

It was a great experience living abroad.

I didn't feel like a foreigner, yet naturally absorbed different cultures and lifestyles, with respect for the views voiced. Learning the basics from the local languages and making friends from diverse back-

grounds was engaging and fulfilling and has contributed to the person I've become today; understanding that perhaps our approach may not be the optimum one.

What life lessons could be learned from being the child of an ambassador?

Life as a son of a diplomat is a very privileged one – and can at times be superficial. One should measure one's words prior to voicing them to avoid any misinterpretation.

Who is the most famous person you have shaken hands with?

Meeting Queen Mother Juliana of Orange-Nassau and her husband Prince Bernhard – their warmth and humanity were visible during that encounter. And José Ramos-Horta – at the time, his approach to achieving independence in East Timor through non-violence and the people's self-determination was inspirational. Later, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

EXPERIENCE HÄSTENS BEDS & Discover Perfect, Natural Sleep

HÄSTENS 2000T

HILLERØD | SLOTSGADE 49 LYNGBY | NØRGAARDSVEJ 1 RØDOVRE | ROSKILDEVEJ 301 36 72 00 40 | HASTEN.DK FUL F I L L I NG DR EA M S S I NC E 18 52 HAS T E N S . COM

THERE’S A NEW DEALER IN TOWN WELCOME TO THE VOLVO FLAGSHIP STORE We are proud to announce that Nellemann is the new agent of Volvo cars in Copenhagen. Now you can enjoy the luxurious Swedish car brand in one of the most exclusive flagship stores in Copenhagen. Pay us a visit and experience a service that is as unique as the cars. For more information, please contact Ryan Albæk +45 81771520. Welcome to the Volvo Flagship Store.

Bryggervangen 39 · 2100 Østerbro · volvo.nellemann.dk 32