The International publication - March 2022 by Lyndsay Jensen

international

the

ISSN 2596-5220

RUSTIC APPLE GALETTE

GENDER EQUALITY

CELEBRATE WHO YOU ARE!

EVENTS AROUND DENMARK

MARCH 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

SHAPING A GLOBAL GENERATION

HEAD OF SCHOOL KAREN AND HER TEAM LEAD THE WAY! MARCH 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY (IWD) IN TODAY'S MODERN WORLD. ON 8 MARCH, IWD IS A DAY TO CELEBRATE WOMEN'S SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND POLITICAL ACHIEVEMENTS, REFLECT ON PROGRESS, AND DEMAND GENDER EQUALITY.

MEET THE TEAM EDITOR & FOUNDER Lyndsay Jensen - lyndsay@the-intl.com

MANAGING DIRECTOR & PARTNER Kenneth Macalpine - kenneth@the-intl.com

CONSULTING EDITOR Conrad Egbert

GRAPHIC DESIGN Karen Steyn - www.stainedmedia.co.za

WRITERS TEAM Ophelia Wu; Sarah Redohl; Mariano Davies; Skyler Bentley Hall; Tiny Maerschalk; Monika Pedersen; Narcis Matache; Tarek Abusham; Sara R. Newell; Aina Masood; Susan Jessen Spiele; Nikolaos Papadopoulos; Michaela Medvedova; Shani Bishop; Natasha Liviero; Heather Storgaard; Conrad Molden; Katie Noyed

Events Coordinator Anna Charlotte Kanst - anna@the-intl.com

COVER PICTURE Terumi Mascarenhas - www.fjordfoto.dk

SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM SoMe Coordinator Alberte Borggreen - alberte@the-intl.com

FOR OVER A hundred years, International Women's Day has spotlighted issues affecting women worldwide. The most crucial crisis happening right now is in Ukraine. The one ray of sunshine in all this (or should I say sunflower as it's Ukraine's national flower) is the support from the rest of the EU countries. It's heartwarming to see neighbouring countries all over the EU opening their doors and hearts to newly arrived refugees.

WHY SHOULD WE RECOGNISE IWD? Across the world, less than 15% of countries have a female leader at the helm. Only 24% of senior management are women, and 25% of companies have no female senior managers. Moreover, women do the lowest-paid jobs and earn less money for the same work. This difference in pay is called the gender pay gap, and for young women in many places, including Britain and America, the gap is getting worse. Women are also more likely to do most of the housework and childcare. When it comes to healthcare and safety, women also face significant inequalities. An estimated 830 women a day die in childbirth. Last year, the UN found that their partner or former partner killed 137 women per day. Worldwide, over 50% of women are murdered by the victim's partner or family. When women have access to health education and care, they are also more likely to be ignored by doctors when they complain of pain, and other severe health problems sometimes go ignored for years.

WHAT IS THE HISTORY BEHIND IWD? In 1908, 15,000 women in New York went on strike due to low pay and terrible conditions in their factories. The So-

MARCH 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

SoMe Ambassadors

“I CHOSE A SUNFLOWER BECAUSE WHEN DARKNESS DESCENDS THEY CLOSE UP TO REGENERATE.” – HALLE BERRY cialist Party of America organised National Women's Day the following year. One year after that, there was a conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, about equality and women's right to vote. In Europe, the idea grew and became International Women's Day for the first time in 1911, and the United Nations declared 8 March International Women's Day in 1975.

HOW IS IWD CELEBRATED GLOBALLY? In some countries, children and men give presents, flowers or cards to their mothers, wives, sisters etc. At the heart of IWD will always be women's rights – so remember to look for worthwhile causes in the area you live in (see our events on page 4 for our IWD events). The traditions of IWD are still followed today, as many women still wear purple, a colour worn by women who campaigned for women's right to vote called the suffragettes. Recently, marches and protests have gained momentum due to the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements against sexual harassment. There is still a lot of work to attain gender equality, but women's movements worldwide are ready to do that work and are gaining momentum. Love,

LYNDSAY JENSEN - EDITOR & FOUNDER THE-INTL.COM

Neelam Gahlaut; Michaela Medvedova; Aina Masood; Katie Noyed; Ane-Sophie Custura; Terumi Mascarenhas; Manon Coolen; Leslie Noygues; Shelly Pandey; Laura Luzinska; Shivangi Singh; Ritika Jain; Pavlos Tsiakoumis; Sakib Akhter; Rashmi Jadhav; Gemma La Rocca; Isabel Pereira Lima

DISTRIBUTION The International is available at a range of businesses, institutions, embassies, cafés and public libraries across Denmark

SALES sales@the-intl.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS For corporate delivery of the printed edition please contact: lyndsay@the-intl.com The International is published 12 times a year. This issue was published on 4 March, 2022. Notice: The publishers regret that they cannot accept any liability for error or omissions contained in this publication. The opinions and views presented need not necessarily reflect those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek special counsel before acting on any information contained herein. All rights reserved. No part of this publication or contents thereof may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form without written permission from the publishers. Published by and © 2021 The International ApS. Registered in Denmark / CVR Number: 39118181

THE FEEL-GOOD STORIES OF DENMARK UNITED OUTSIDE THE KINGDOM Meet the Brit, who has become a beacon of hope and calm during the Brexit crisis, to Denmark's sizeable British community.

After the 2016 Brexit referendum, millions of Brits worldwide - the nearly 19,000 that live in Denmark - were left waiting and wondering how it would impact their lives. Paula Bleanch, now living in Horsens with her Danish husband and two kids, was one of them. In 2021, British nationals had to apply for a new residency card in Denmark. "We retained our EU rights, but only in Denmark. We've lost our free movement. We think of ourselves as European - it was challenging to come to terms with that not existing anymore." Paula met her husband when she visited a European-funded project in Horsens. He was one of the organising teaching staff. "This is why I feel so passionately

PIC COUTESY OF GREG MCQUEEN

MICHAELA MEDVEĎOVÁ

about being a European citizen. If it weren't for our membership in the EU, I wouldn't be in Denmark - I wouldn't have my family."

“I think Denmark handled the post-Brexit situation in a very organised way.” She thinks Denmark handled the post-Brexit situation in a very organised way. "The government sent letters to all Brits living in Denmark explaining what we need to do and sent reminders again for people who hadn't applied." But even so, Paula noticed a lot of misinformation floating around Facebook among distressed people. So with her history of volunteering in

Denmark as the President of International Network Horsens, she decided to join a Facebook group called British in Denmark and a wider group called British in Europe. British in Europe have represented the UK nationals living in Europe to the European Commission and the British government, fighting for their rights. The team tried to answer people's questions and get the facts straight on the British in Denmark Facebook group. "We've had great feedback from the British Embassy, and it was beneficial for them to have a place on Facebook with the right information coming out." Paula and her fellow admin Helen made the group into a safe place where everyone could contribute and ask questions without the fear of bullying. They ended up creating a fantastic 1,200-strong online community. "We’ve had cases where people said they are struggling with applying for their residency card because they aren’t IT strong. Others have volunteered to meet them in person and help them with the application. People are so good at helping each other.” THE-INTL

NIKOLAOS PAPADOPOULOS

A SPACE FOR FEMALE ENTREPRENEURSHIP Esbjerg’s new business house is a collaborative effort where female entrepreneurs can share their business dreams and realise their vision. Currently headed up by Charlotte Apel and Maria Anglada, Riggen was founded and supported by the Esbjerg Municipality, Business Esbjerg, and the Lauritzen Foundation. Riggen serves as a base of operations for new businesses in and around Esbjerg, in the sense that it provides newly founded businesses with crucial guidance and space to conduct their trade. In addition, it offers both a come and go option temporarily and permanent office space for Esbjerg’s full-time entrepreneurs, who will be there daily. The only obligations for a permanent space are contributing a modest fee for food from Riggen’s cultural sibling, Platformen, and participation in events organised by the house. Most importantly, apart from physical space, Riggen is a place where entrepreneurs can brainstorm with each other and get technical help in estab-

lishing their businesses. “Before they can use the house, an entrepreneur’s application is carefully evaluated. The point is to get people with diverse skill sets to be in the house, so they can complement each other,” says Maria. That way, when a business lacks knowledge in a particular area, it can be supported by other house members. The house is based on the principles of empowerment. They pro vide guidance so that businesses can become self-sufficient. Charlotte describes Riggen as “the nest where new businesses grow their wings, and then we teach them to fly”, and Liesbeth Staal’s business is just one example of

NIKOLAOS PAPADOPOULOS is originally from Greece, but has been living in Esbjerg for a few years. With a Bachelor's degree in Economics and a Master's degree in Marketing from the University of Southern Denmark, he has always had a passion for creative writing.

many. Liesbeth is one of the many female entrepreneurs using Riggen and making children’s clothing as a hobby. She has explored the idea of turning it into a proper business. Although she found her idea too time-consuming to begin her business, she is grateful for Riggen’s help, as she now has a much clearer picture of her business plan and the obstacles she will need to overcome to begin it. While the pandemic certainly took its toll on both Riggen and Liesbeth’s aspirations, the fact that the world seems to be going back to normal leaves a lot of space for optimism. THE-INTL Liesbeth’s website: https://lijssie.dk/

MICHAELA MEDVEDOVÁ comes from Slovakia and moved to Denmark 3 years ago to study for her Master's degree. Living in Odense she says it's the perfect city for her because it's not too large to be intimidating, but still exciting!

A PLATFORM FOR UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES ACROSS THE GLOBE KATHARINE H NOYED

It all started when Sara Brun Niels en and Cristina González Torelló sat next to each other during their f irst semester of the Global Refugee Studies master's programme at Aalborg University in Copenhagen. After listening to a presentation from the university's start-up programme, The Incubator, and realizing that most of the discourse on forced migration and refugee studies comes from a western perspective, they felt inspired to take action. This was when the idea of Authxrs was born. Authxrs (pronounced Authors) is a sustainable media and publishing house covering the autobiographies of individuals experiencing crisis, oppression, and injustice worldwide. With a focus on representation, Authxrs seeks to give a platform to those typically underrepresented in media and academic writings due to the intersecting factors of gender, age, sexuality, beliefs, and culture. Sara and Cristina firmly believe that "Everyone should be the author of their own story", which is why they created Authxrs as a platform for people globally to share their stories. But where do these stories come from? Authxrs works closely with NGOs worldwide to gain access to people willing to share their stories. As some live in highly dangerous and precarious situations, Authxrs maintains the highest degree of ethical standards mapped out by Danish journalism to ensure their storytellers are able to communicate what they feel is important to share and ensure their safety as well. In addition to highlighting an individual's story through ghost-writing, Authxrs offers the contextual background needed to better understand the dynamics of the nation-state or region being covered. Together, Sara and Cristina believe: "that's where you get the full understanding of human life and of history. You cannot tell history without these testimonies." So, currently, this female-ran start-up is focusing on storytelling through their Instagram account @authxrs. They plan to diversify their business by creating a podcast and a sustainable line of books moving forward. So if you are interested in reading the real stories of those typically underrepresented globally, be sure to give Authxrs a follow! THE-INTL

KATHARINE H NOYED is from the United States. After working in the United Arab Emirates, Katharine now lives in Roskilde with her husband and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Development and International Relations with a focus on Global Refugee Studies.

MARCH 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

MARCH EVENTS AROUND DENMARK INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY EVENTS

ANNA CHARLOTTE KANST EVENTS COORDINATOR anna@the-intl.com

ZEALAND

The beauty of our international community is in its diversity. Over the years, women of all ages, backgrounds, origins, or cultures created a second home in this country and built a second life after moving to Denmark for love, work, studies, or simply searching for something new. But this year, we cannot celebrate #internationalwomensday without thinking of the women of Ukraine and their families, who are currently suffering the threat to their lives, freedom, homes, and culture. So let’s honour this year’s celebration of women by showing the strength of our bonds that translate across borders.

VISIT DENMARK - DANIEL_RASMUSSEN

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The International Denmark and supporting partners will be hosting meetups around Denmark. We plan at these meetups to come together in support and, through Bevar Ukraine raise much-needed funds to help alleviate the ache and pain the people of Ukraine must feel right now. This event is free and open to everyone – please join us in standing with Ukraine.

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FUNEN

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JUTLAND

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VALBYLIV

VALBY

EVERY FRIDAY FREE LIVE MUSIC Valby has a new music spot! An engaged café by the name of Café Incita, whose goal is to bring more life and fun to the people of Valby, is offering free live music every Friday. Café Incita calls itself a socioeconomic café, which means that, among other things, they focus on helping at-risk people who are out of work. The café has introduced 44 people to the café and restaurant industry in the last year alone, despite corona restrictions. Besides live music, Café Incita will contribute to Valby's cultural life and community with their folk kitchen every Wednesday and hosting cultural events such as exhibitions, poetry readings, and various openings and book publishings.

WHERE: CAFÉ INCITA, VALBY KULTURHUS, VALGÅRDSVEJ 4-8, VALBY / TIME: 17:00 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/INCITACAFE/

COPENHAGEN

A focus on learning

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SOCIAL BREW

Early Years setting (3-5 year olds) Primary School (5-11 year olds) Secondary School (11-16 year olds) High School (16-18 year olds)

EVERY FRIDAY FRIDAY AFTER WORK Social Brew is a local cafe, bar and kitchen right in the heart of Vesterport with a passion for social events. Along with our regular Saturday jazz and social events, we introduce the "Friday After Work" for locals and beyond. Join and meet like-minded people who work in the neighbourhood and expand your networking profile. Entrance is free of charge. We serve coffee, beer, wine and healthy bites.

WHERE: VESTER FARIMAGSGADE 3, 1606 COPENHAGEN TIME: 15:00-18:00 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/2DXIBOONV

www.nis-ngg.dk Cirkelhuset, Christianshusvej 16 DK, 2970 Hørsholm

Small classes · Support and guidance from dedicated teachers · Sports College · Music Academy · An international learning environment

Cambridge International School

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COPENHAGEN

RØMØ

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COPENHAGEN

CINAMATEKET

TØNNINGSGÅRD

ART ESCAPE STUDIOS FB PAGE

GRAB A FREE COPY OF PRINTED PAPER AT THE ESCAPE ST ART UDIOS

5 MARCH

6 MARCH

DAKINI SKY EXHIBITION

CLEAN THE BEACHES

Join AES artist Tina P. Israni for the exhibition opening of Dakini Sky. After dancing on 8 meters of canvas with paint in a performance art exhibition 3 weeks ago, followed by allowing the public to come in and cut her canvas into several stories, now you can see the result of the stories that have made themselves known unto canvas! Join us Saturday night to meet the artist, learn about her process and experience the results! Note: The artist has decided, 50% of proceeds from art sales of this exhibition will be donated to aid Ukrainians in the war they currently face.]

Join other nature lovers for a fun and cosy day and help collect plastic and other trash on the beach. Nature centre Tønningsgård estimates around 100–142 million tons of trash is floating in our oceans. This increases by around 6 million tons every year. Three-quarters of this trash is plastic, and it takes about half a century to break down. The goal of the nature centre is to diminish this number and clean the beaches up together. We'll meet at the nature centre where you go to the beach to collect the trash in your own car. After the trip, the centre offers cookies and tea, coffee or juice to thank you for your help. The joining price is 10 DKK which goes towards administration fees.

'MEET ME AT CASSIOPEIA': DANISH ON A SUNDAY

FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/2EMF2ZREP

During the 'Danish on a Sunday' events in February and March, the independent cinema Cinamateket screens four Danish classics, all with an introduction in English. It is a great and fun opportunity to get acquainted with Danish culture through an old Danish movie and a highly acclaimed new production with English subtitles. In addition, restaurant SULT has a special offer on coffee with a Danish pastry (or a piece of cake) at an extra cost of only 40 DKK. Tickets for the movie cost 85 DKK and can be booked and purchased online.

WHERE: CINEMATEKET, GOTHERSGADE 55, COPENHAGEN TIME: 14:15-16:15 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/2HTBJI1ZS

WHERE: NATURCENTER TØNNISGÅRD, HAVNEBYVEJ 30, RØMØ TIME: 10:00-12:00 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://WWW.TONNISGAARD.DK/AKTIVITETER-OG-TURE/HAVFALD-2/

AALBORG

HERNING

AALBORG IN COLORS 2022 After a year without art exhibitions, Aalborg in Colors is finally back! Aalborg in Colors is hosted for the 10th time this year with 50 artists, among which you will find many visual, painters and jewellery artists – as well as stonemasons, woodturners, ceramists and more. On opening day, there will be musical entertainment and an opening speech. In addition, several of the artists will be performing their crafts during the two-day event, and there will be several activities for children. The entry price for adults is 40 DKK, while children can have free entry. You receive a beautiful programme and a glass of wine, beer, or water with this. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

WHERE: IDRÆTSHALLEN ØSTRE ALLÉ 87, AALBORG TIME: 10:00-16:00 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/2RX4CWWT1

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1ST SUNDAY

ZIG’IS DESSERTCAFÉ

5-6 MARCH

HERNING KOMMUNE

AALBORG HÅNDBOLDKLUB

AARHUS

SUNDAY CAFÉ FOR SENIORS

6 MARCH BIRTHDAY AND FREE ICE CREAM Zig'is Dessertcafé celebrates its birthday with free ice cream and live music. Besides your ice cream, Zig'is offers other desserts, coffee and cake. More information will follow, so keep an eye on their Facebook page!

WHERE: SILKEBORGVEJ 226, AARHUS TIME: 09:00-19:00 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/1HVDJ8S8S

If you are 60+, then come join an exciting and cosy afternoon in Gullestrup ont he 1st sunday of every month. The Sunday Café, arranged by locals who have joined forces, is for everyone in Gullestrup and its surroundings. The café committee puts a lot of time into offering a varied programme. The cultural company, known for its local culture, historical and theatre with song, will be entertaining with cabaret and other varied performances.

WHERE: GULLESTRUP KULTURHUS, TRÆLUNDVEJ 3, HERNING TIME: 14:00-16:00 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://WWW.HERNING.DK/BORGER/ AELDRE-OG-SENIORER/ARRANGEMENTER-FOR-AELDRE/ SOENDAGSCAFÉER/GULLESTRUP-OG-OMEGN/

AARHUS

UNSPLASH.COM

THE TEDDY BEAR TEAM Are you good at knitting, and do you want to make a difference? Then become part of the Teddy Bear Team that knits teddy bears to bring joy to sick children at Kolding Hospital. In 7 years, the Teddy Bear Team has knitted over 7.520 teddy bears! The idea originates from the town of Salling. However, there was a need for more hands to help knit bears, and thus the idea has since moved to Kolding too. The teddy bears are knitted using the same easy pattern you find online on Red Barnet's website. The team meets at Simon Peter's Church in Kolding every other Tuesday.

SEWING WORKSHOP

AFTER-WORK CONCERT

Learn to sew, find new projects, or borrow a sewing machine if you need something fixed! The open sewing workshop at Aarhus library focuses on sustainability and protecting our clothing through repairing, re-designing, sharing or trading, so we only purchase new when absolutely necessary. There is plenty of help to get at the workshop from the knowledgeable staff, and they will continuously host different special themed workshops. There is also fabric and clothing available at the workshop that you can work with, and the staff can help you pick patterns and come up with ideas. You can also help the staff sew gumdrop chairs from donated left-over fabrics.

The "fyraften" concerts, hosted at the beautiful Royal Library, the Black Diamond, are events with the aim for you to catch a performance right after working hours. On 9 March, the performance of the piano trio Kind of Cyan lets Lera Auerbach's, one of the most prominent composers. Expression is reflected in the musical starting point of our time, Johan Sebastian Bach. Kind of Cyan consists of violinist Josefine Dalsgaard, cellist Marie Louise Lind and pianist Cæcilie Tagmose. Within the constellations trio, duo and solo, the musicians in Kind of Cyan have over the years worked with fusion and new interpretations of classical music through free, contrasting methods such as improvisation and electronic sound manipulation. The price is 95 DKK and 50 DKK for students.

WHERE: DOKK1, HACK KAMPMANNS PLADS 2, AARHUS TIME: 15:00-19:00 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://DOKK1.DK/DET-SKER/ ARRANGEMENTER/113338?OCCURRENCE_ID=8393840

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SIMON PETERS KIRKE

WHERE: SIMON PETER’S CHURCH, SKUDEHAVNSVEJ 35, KOLDING TIME: 10:00-12:00 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://WWW.SIMONPETERSKIRKE.DK/AKTIVITETER/BAMSE-HOLDET

EVERY WEDNESDAY 9 MARCH

WHERE: DEN SORTE DIAMANT, SØREN KIERKEGAARDS PL. 1, COPENHAGEN TIME: 17:00-18:00 FOR MORE INFO: HTTP://WWW5.KB.DK/DA/DIA/KALENDER/ MUSIK/2022/220301_FYRAFTENSKONCERT_KIND_OF_CYAN.HTML

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EVERY OTHER TUESDAY

COPENHAGEN

DET KONGELIGE BIBLIOTEK

KOLDING

A value-driven community that welcomes students ages 4-16. Rygaards has a strong reputation of a rich educational experience with a nurturing atmosphere where students learn to think for themselves, find their own voice, and engage with the world with confidence and curiosity. • High academic standards • Christian ethos • Beautiful campus, located in Hellerup • Global community • NEASC accreditation • Cambridge Assessment International Education Bernstorffsvej 54, 2900 Hellerup +45 39 62 10 53

Learn more at rygaards.com

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AARHUS

MUSIKHUSET AARHUS

ODENSE

H2ODENSE

REMISEN BRANDE - OPEN STAGE

BRANDE

9 MARCH

12 MARCH

OPEN STAGE

SWIM FOR A GOOD CAUSE

SINGING TOGETHER

Open Stage for young, up-coming talents is a newly established collaboration between the city's skate centre, Urban Street Zone Brande, and the culture house – RemisenBrande. They wish to contribute even more to the cultural life in the city. The goal is to create a safe environment for young artists and open a stage that can serve as their playground and a place where they can inspire other young people. Furthermore, the goal is to strengthen the cultural network in the city and create a community that cannot be achieved in other places. The tone is informal, and everyone is welcome to join, old or young. The programme will change from time to time, so be sure to show up to all events and support the performers. You can even get on stage yourself!

H2Odense and Fishing for Life have joined forces and created the first-ever swimming event for "Cancer is not for children". The event aims to collect money for the campaign while combining it with childrens' and youths' joy of water activities. The day will also work as a facilitator for strengthening the dialogue on complex topics, like cancer, between families and sports clubs. During the day, there will be different water activities, food stands, and auctions. There will also be live music from the band's John Mogensen Jam and Groovy Business, playing well known Danish and international songs. The day is for everyone regardless of age and whether or not you are already familiar with the swimming club.

Sing from the famous "Højskolesangbogen". Come and sing, or listen to the music, when Aarhus Music House opens the doors for one of their most popular free events. For more than 30 years, the people of Aarhus have gathered once a month to sing from the old Danish "Højskolesangbogen." The 601 songs in the book encompass everything from old hymns and traditional high school songs to pop, Latin, and rock. The book has had 19 edits since 1894 and is the most sold book in Denmark. The concert is run by former principal Jens Grøn who is joined by an organist from Tilst's Church.

WHERE: SVØMMERNES HUS, STADIONVEJ 50A, ODENSE TIME: 12:00-18:00 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://WWW.H2ODENSE.DK/AKTIVITETER/SVOM-FOR-EN-SAG

WHERE: REMISENBRANDE, REMISEVEJ 1, BRANDE TIME: 17:00-20:00 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://REMISENBRANDE.DK/BEGIVENHED/OPEN-STAGE-GRATIS-EVENT-2

NÆSTVED

COPENHAGEN

UNSPLASH

THE OLD IRISH PUB FB PAGE

AARHUS

TIR NA NÓG - IRISH GASTROPUB FB PAGE

WHERE: MUSIKHUSET AARHUS, THOMAS JENSENS ALLÉ 2, AARHUS TIME: 11:00-13:00 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/1FGFFSZOR

16-20 MARCH

17-19 MARCH

18-19 MARCH

ST PATRICK’S DAY FESTIVAL

ST. PAT’S DAY WEEKEND BASH

ST. PATRICK'S WEEKEND

Join us for what will be our biggest St Patrick’s celebration ever. We have missed the past 2 years and we will be treating you to an event you won’t forget. - 4 day live music programme - Premier League - 6 Nations Rugby - Delicious Irish Breakfast (go to tirnanog.dk and reserve a table in Flux). Join us for our most popular event on our calendar!

Join us on St. Patrick’s Day and don’t leave until Sunday night! Thursday will be our traditional annual St. Patrick’s Day bash with live music from the legendary Dessie Higgins and Pat Kelly. We will have a special festive St. Patrick’s Day food menu with our favourite traditional Irish dishes available. Party continues Friday, Saturday and Sunday including the final weekend of the 6 Nations 2022 championship and our Sunday Acoustic jam – it’s a big weekend full of music and craic, not to be missed!

St Paddy's Day is just around the corner, and of course, there is only one way to celebrate it - at an Irish Pub! The pub will be decorated in green, and the Irish vibe will be high as we gather to celebrate this Irish national day. Great deals Cold Guinness Irish party atmosphere Fantastic music Party and dance the night away

FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/3KCCKLGEW

FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://WWW.THE-GLOBE.DK/EVENTS/

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MARCH 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

COPENHAGEN

AALBORG

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VEJLE

EL MUNDO

ART ESCAPE STUDIOS & CAFÉ

GRAB A FREE COPY OF PRINTED PAPER AT THE ESCAPE ST ART UDIOS

19 MARCH

23 MARCH

25 MARCH

MIXED MEDIA & EMBROIDERY WORKSHOP

UPCOMING ARTISTS AT EL MUNDO

CULTURE PRIZES

This is an excellent workshop for anyone wanting to expand their creative mindset and explore new ways to use traditional mediums. It is perfect for beginners and a great way for experienced creatives to use their skills uniquely! You will create images through mixed mediacombining painting, collage, and embroidery. We will talk about inspiration, look at examples, and create layered images with different materials. This workshop is instructed by Artist Dyveke Noack of the AES Collective. Check her work: www.artescapestudios.dk/dyveke All materials are included in this ticket 335 DKK.

El Mundo is ready to reopen after renovations and is excited to invite you all back with more music - and it's all free! The doors open at 19:00, and the music starts at 20:00. Drop by for half price on beer and cocktails until 21:00! The lineup includes: - Joby Fox is an Irish musician known for his authentic artistic voice of post-conflict Ireland. - Rebekka Neergaard is a Danish singer-songwriter who mixes pop, jazz, and soul delivered with a strong voice. - Undine Rolava - Latvian singer-songwriter whose music combines elements from different genres.

WHERE: BLEGDAMSVEJ 68 2100 COPENHAGEN TIME: 10:00-13:00 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/274KBPGOU

WHERE: JOMFRU ANE GADE 23, AALBORG TIME: 19:00 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/1XZYZIAST

AALBORG DRAG FEST Aalborg Drag Party is back with a spectacular SHAMELEZZ Show at Aalborg Street Food. Be part of a night with no shame where drag, circus, and rap is mixed to create a magical show and a great after-party. The show is hosted and produced by famous Danish drag queen Mizz Privileze. The fantastic drag performers are Annie Rection, Elijah Kashmir, Cecer, Life Goofer, Michiel Tange van LeeuWen, Lathisya Adore, Morgana, and Le Fay. Tickets are for sale at 199 DKK. All tickets include free entrance to the after-party.

WHERE: AALBORG STREETFOOD, SKUDEHAVNSVEJ 35, AALBORG TIME: 19:00-22:00 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://MIGOGAALBORG.DK/AALBORGSTREETFOOD-INVITERER-TIL-DRAG-FEST

AARHUS

EVENTBRITE

AALBORG STREET FOOD

19 MARCH

WHERE: BYEN CAFÉ, MØLLEGADE 10, VEJLE TIME: 19:00-21:00 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://WWW.PLACE2BOOK.COM/DA/ SW2/SALES/RE06NVE5UH

HORSENS

HORSENS BIBLIOTEK

AALBORG

Every year, Vejle municipality celebrates culture and all the people who make Vejle a colourful and great place to live! The culture prizes are given to people, organisations, or unions that bring people together through their cultural workings. There are three prizes: The culture prize, which is awarded to a cultural act of high quality and remarkable contribution, the initiative prize, which is awarded for new and experimental initiatives for the cultural life of the city, and the feel-good-prize, which is awarded for small, odd, and funny activities that spread smiles and happiness. The event is free.

25 MARCH IN THE GLOW OF THE STREETLIGHT Horsens library presents a play by local theatre school, Komediehuset, warm up to the library's criminal week. "I gadelygtens skær" is an action-filled play with physical slapstick-comedy, high-speed dialogue, and plenty of misunderstandings and complications delivered by two tragicomical characters. A failed robbery and unhappy authorship unexpectedly turn into an unlikely friendship. As the night progresses, the unlikely duo balances on the edge of the absurd and a human catastrophe. The play is for both young and old (13-adult).

WHERE: TOBAKSGÅRDEN 12, HORSENS / TIME: 16:00-17:00 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://HORSENSBIBLIOTEK.DK/ARRANGEMENTER/ARRANGEMENTER-VOKSNE/I-GADELYGTENS-SKAER

29 MAR - 3 APR GREENLIGHT AARHUS Join Greenlight Aarhus' sustainable city event, focusing on the sustainable transition through actions. Greenlight Aarhus is a week intended to highlight the green and enlightened choices we can make together. During the week, you can experience different activities and events, all focused on sustainable actions and a sustainable lifestyle. The events connect retail, the business community, educational institutions, volunteer communities, the culture industry, and the municipality in a shared vision of sustainable city life. During Greenlight week, we show each other, citizens, and visitors how to create a better city for everybody when we work together and share insights and solutions. The programme for the week is being updated regularly.

FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/2ZXPUSSRG

MARCH 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

SHAPING A GLOBAL

GENERATION

ENJOYING SCHOOL SO MUCH THAT SHE DECIDED TO NEVER LEAVE IT BEHIND? DEFINITELY AN A+ DECISION FOR KAREN BØTTGER, WHO'S NOW LEADING THE SCHOOL TOWARDS THE VISION OF STUDENTS TAKING ACTION IN THE WORLD.

PHOTOGRAPHS TERUMI MASCARENHAS - WWW.FJORDFOTO.DK

WHEN WE MOVE abroad, the one thing that we all long for is a sense of community. The children attending the North Zealand International Schools (NIS), along with their parents, find it within the school network. Helmed by Head of School Karen Bøttger, the school currently welcomes kids from families coming from more than 50 different countries. And as someone who, after relocating to Denmark, found a warm welcome in the NIS community, Karen truly walks the talk of the school.

A JOY TO LEARN - AND TEACH Karen's upbringing in Britain was quite monocultural compared to her NIS learners. But her British family loved to travel! So with summers spent in her family caravan, Karen discovered countries throughout Europe - and along with them, languages. "The possibility to learn another language always intrigued me. I had learned other languages in school, then Danish arrived and overpowered anything I've learned." The joy of learning exceeded the realm of languages. As a good student, Karen enjoyed her time at school, and it came as no surprise when she decided to become a teacher. "I really loved school - so much that I've never left," laughs Karen. She also always liked working with children - volunteering with different organisations and working with holiday camps, even while still at school. "I always found it rewarding and enjoyed my days. The time just went quickly. So I always knew I wanted to do that." When studying to be a teacher in England, one can qualify as a subject specialist for older students or primary school teachers, educating younger pupils in all subjects. Karen chose the latter and became a qualified teacher at quite the young age of 22.

LAYERS OF CONNECTIONS While she did teach in Britain for a while, her travelling spirit was not a thing of the past. So combining her profession with the tempting possibility of living in a different

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TEXT MICHAELA MEDVEĎOVÁ

country, she went on a one-year working visa to teach in Australia. And in a textbook case of the right time, right place, she met her future husband while backpacking. He's why Karen decided to move to Denmark in 1998 and still lives in Copenhagen with their two grown-up children. The couple hasn't backpacked since they met, but with their silver wedding coming up, Karen laughs that they should celebrate the occasion by revisiting their adventurous roots in Australia. Moving to Denmark was an adventure on its own, though - at the turn of millennia, it wasn't exactly full of foreigners. "I first moved to Jutland, and it was rare to hear English spoken." Not even Copenhagen was the multicultural place it's becoming now. But she wasn't lonely – she had been working from the start, teaching at some of the other international schools in the Copenhagen area before starting at NIS in 2000. "In international schools, the sense of community goes through all the layers. It's something the children feel, and friendships in class are made quickly. Parents are great at reaching out to new families and welcoming them to the school community. But the teachers do the same for each other." With the school staff and Danish language classes Karen attended, she quickly made great friends that she still has today.

A TEACHER'S AMBITION As a teacher, she never really lacked in essential bonds. While certainly not replacing the parents, Karen thinks teachers need to collaborate with them, so the kids have different perspectives and role models in their lives. "I think it's important to have a teacher that really sees them. The current COVID situation brought to light how all-encompassing teachers are and how there's so much more going on than just teaching maths and English."

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first names. "There's a lot more openness - the learners do get some insight into who we, the teachers, are as people." Karen spent 10 years as a class teacher at NIS and could probably tell you the names of most of the children that went through her classes. Many of them come back to visit, and a handful of former learners also returned to work at the school as substitute teachers. For Karen, seeing her former students as colleagues is simply fantastic - and an example of how well the school community works. "They are really well-positioned to help us. They can just slot right in as substitute teachers because they know the values of the school and what we stand for."

IT'S PERSONAL NIS has a big focus on subject teaching and being clear about each lesson's learning goal, with the learners having possibilities to influence what it looks like. "But a huge thing that we do really well in our school is being explicit in what the personal learning is." So while a specific subject-based goal is learning about coordinates on a map for a geography lesson, the teachers also point out that while working in groups, they will use their personal collaborating skills or practice being a communicator. Apart from that, NIS focuses on international learning, referred to as global competency - a mindset that sets international schools apart. "It's about being able to take action to make the world a better place. We encourage even the youngest children and show them how to do it. It doesn't have to be a great big project - they can just be a good classmate or help out in the school community." Teaching in an international setting like NIS has been a calling for Karen before taking a year in Australia. She appreciates that the children come from so many different backgrounds and have different perspectives, which are beneficial for other learners to hear - and learn how to respect. "I really think it's going to be valuable for them in a world with all the different situations they will find themselves in." But with the great diversity of the school, there inevitably come goodbyes as friends come and go. There's a turnover as families leave, albeit not as high because the school is situated outside of Copenhagen, and families that chose NIS are perhaps looking to stay longer. "It's always hard when you hear a family who has been a big part of the community is moving on to new adventures." But Karen is happy to see that many of the children keep in touch and have created a global network - and in quite a few cases, families who leave Denmark return a few years later and rejoin the school community.

WITH ALL THE BUSTLE OF A BUSY SCHOOL, IT'S NO WONDER KAREN TOOK UP QUIETER HOBBIES OVER TIME. "YOU HAVE TO FIND YOUR OUTLETS, THINGS THAT YOU ENJOY DOING, THAT CAN GIVE YOU A BREAK. I LOVE READING, I LOVE RUNNING. SO EIGHT O'CLOCK WOULD COME, MY HUSBAND WOULD PUT THE CHILDREN TO BED, AND I'D PUT MY HEADPHONES ON, GO FOR A RUN, AND JUST SHUT THE REST OF THE WORLD OUT." The teachers that stand out the most in Karen's memory of her own school days are the ones that clearly enjoyed being in the classroom. But while that's the cornerstone, being an educator is so complex. Apart from being strong academically, in her view, they should be aware of the wellbeing of the children in their classroom, track how learning is progressing, keep on top of new research in education, and adapt it in practice. "The ambition is to do all those things. Of course, it's not possible all of the time, but it's something we certainly aim for." In Denmark, Karen is also qualified to teach children who find literacy learning a challenge. "I could see that it was hard for children to get the right kind of support they needed to develop their skills if they had specific learning difficulties. So I decided to get myself qualified so that we could better support our learners at NIS." Not all children learn in the same way, and for Karen, finding different ways to reach individual children is the hardest thing about being a teacher. "On the other hand,

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when it does work, when you see that 'Oh' and they've just got something they really struggled with, that's fantastic." But it's not only about teaching children specific things but it's also encouraging them to change their mindset about learning so they know that learning is possible. And if they can't do it now, they should just keep practising, and they'll get better. "Getting the growth mindset is really important because you know they can use that again and again. When you've turned a hesitant child who has been scared to try something new or scared of making a mistake into someone brave enough to give things a go, that's just so special." But the learners (that's how NIS calls students, because what are they, if not learning?) need to have an active role in the process of their own learning. "We really encourage them to think for themselves, to ask. We don't want them to just passively absorb what happens around them or wait for the next instruction." There are no school uniforms in sight, and the learners call the teachers by their

CHANGING GEARS With all the bustle of a busy school, it's no wonder Karen took up quieter hobbies over time. "You have to find your outlets, things that you enjoy doing, that can give you a break. I love reading, I love running. So eight o'clock would come, my husband would put the children to bed, and I'd put my headphones on, go for a run, and just shut the rest of the world out." As someone who teaches small children and with two young kids at home, Karen was simply needed all the time. But how was the transition from teacher Karen to mom Karen? "You'd have to ask my children," she laughs. Juggling the roles and switching between them was easier than she expected. Some of her teaching experience helped her with parenting and vice versa. "You can do both without being the other. But I could use experience from one life in the other one." But as Karen gradually took on more and more roles in the school organically, she set out on the path to becoming the Head of School of NIS, a position she's held since 2015. At NIS, the leadership team is currently all female something that’s not a given, as internationally, women in leadership roles in the education sector are underrepresented compared to the wider teaching population, where they make up the largest proportion. In Denmark, however, there is more parity, and in international education in general, equality and diversity are central values - so happily, Karen didn’t experience limited professional advance-

"WE NEED TO TEACH THE LEARNERS TO BE CAPABLE OF STRONG COLLABORATION, TO BE RESPECTFUL, ADAPTABLE, TO BE ABLE TO THINK CRITICALLY." ment for taking a career break. “Having a supportive leader meant I was able to take a period of extended leave from my teaching position to look after my two small children. I strongly believe that a flexible career path should not hinder a woman’s opportunity to lead a school or any organisation or team, for that matter.” She believes schools have a responsibility to show young women they can move forward with any career direction they choose - but also that all learners, girls or boys, need to have equal access to opportunities to lead. Karen is happy to note that at NIS, there are many great role models for all of their learners. Having a vision for the school, and the idea of improving it and developing an action plan was the fuel behind her decision to be a school leader. What she loved about teaching was how varied her days were no matter how well planned, things didn't always go in the direction she expected. And being a school leader only brings more variety. She's got a team of teachers to lead and ensure they have all the resources and motivation they need to do their jobs well; she's creating the strategic direction for the school and moving it forward in that direction. But that's hardly all. "Just this morning, I was on playground duty because some of our staff are affected with Covid. So I can go from a strategic leadership meeting to having a chat with children on the playground about their sore throat or hurt ankle," laughs Karen. She still teaches from time to time - for example, when there's a gap in staff that needs covering - but not as much as she'd like. "I do get in the classrooms, even if I'm not teaching. I still get to talk to the learners about how they're feeling about their learning."

TAKING ACTION With a school full of young international learners, Karen has a clear vision for them - equip them for the workplaces of the future and jobs they're going to have, some of which don't even exist yet. "We need to teach the learners to be capable of strong collaboration, to be respectful, adaptable, to be able to think critically." Luckily, it's not something the school does alone. Supported by a curriculum that reflects the approach, the teachers work together with parents and the learners themselves. "Our responsibility as a school is to develop these personal attributes in learners, and give them opportunities to take action, locally and eventually also globally." THE-INTL ADVERTISEMENT

MARCH 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

CHALLENGING CONVENTIONS MEET ISOBEL WYLIE HUTCHINSON - A SCOTS LASS WHO RECEIVED THE DANISH FRIHEDSMEDAILJE (LIBERTY MEDAL).

PHOTOGRAPHS CARLOWRIE CASTLE / UNSPLASH

TEXT HEATHER STORGAARD

ISOBEL WYLIE HUTCHISON was a Scottish writer, amateur botanist, and explorer from Carlowrie Castle, a 15-minute drive from my house in Scotland. In the 1920s, she learnt Danish and used the language solo travelling in Greenland. In the Second World War, she continued using her Danish skills for the British Government and received the Danish Liberty Medal. For these reasons, she was a must for me to mention in this International Women’s Day edition of The International!

"Isobel received the King Christian 10th Liberty Medal and invitations to speak at events in Denmark following liberation."

GREENLAND Isobel’s travels to Greenland in the 1920s are particularly notable because female solo travel was rare at the time, and the Danish authorities had effectively sealed Greenland’s borders. You were not allowed in the then-colony without being on official Danish business. Isobel learnt Danish at home in Scotland, used it to convince the Danes to let her visit Greenland alone as a botanist, and then was left all on her own in a country with little infrastructure. Colonial Greenland of the 1920s was a highly segregated place, with Danes and Greenlanders only mixing occasionally. As a Scot and outsider, Isobel got to know both communities while living in eastern Greenland. Despite the hundred year gap, much of her writing on living in a Danish community is still very relatable today. She discusses the many long coffee meetings and the fairly flat class structure, as well as the differences between Scottish and Danish attitudes to animals (still a much-discussed topic in my home as recently as last week!) There was no international community, so Isobel had to use her Danish and attempts at basic Greenlandic for everything. In her book “On Greenland’s Closed Shore”, she described how she stayed connected to her native Scotland, including English-Greenlandic language exchange, tins of Haggis for special occasions and visiting the lonely grave of a Scot bur-

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ied far from home. The most surprising, though, was discovering that the Greenlanders she lived with had been taught Scottish country dancing by visiting whalers. A ceilidh in 1920s Greenland must have been an unexpected but wonderful experience!

of modern scenes that wouldn’t look out of place in contemporary Denmark, such as a young woman in shorts cycling to the shops with a toddler towed behind her and others where the destruction of occupation is stark.

SECOND WORLD WAR

Isobel Wylie Hutchison isn’t particularly well known in Scotland or Denmark. I had lived near her home for years before reading an article about her travels in the North, and then a book called “Flowers in the Snow” about her life. I am glad I got to write about her here, so she can hopefully inspire foreign women in Denmark 100 years after she first started grappling with the language and exploring the Kingdom we are all still learning about today. THE-INTL

Isobel later travelled to Canada, Alaska and the Aleutian Isles, to name a few, but during the Second World War, she worked for the British Government thanks to her Danish language abilities. As a result, she received a King Christian 10th Danish Liberty Medal and invitations to speak at events in Denmark following liberation. Isobel’s first travel abroad after the war was back to Denmark in 1948. She wrote a fascinating article called “2000 Miles through Europe’s Oldest Kingdom” for National Geographic, visiting Zealand, Funen, Jutland and Bornholm as well as many of Denmark’s smaller islands. The accompanying colour photos show a mix

LEGACY

Thank you to Andrew Marshall, current CEO of Carlowrie Castle, for the photos and lovely talk comparing life in Norway and Denmark.

HEATHER STORGAARD WRITER Heather Storgaard comes from Northern Scotland, grew up in Switzerland, and lived in England and Germany. She met her Danish and soon-tobe British husband back in 2017, and they now split their time between Central Scotland and Helgenæs, a peninsula in rural Eastern Jutland. Languages and cultural studies are a big passion, leading Heather to pursue a degree in Culture and Heritage and a career in photography and translation. @heatherstorgaard

FOOD ART

RUSTIC APPLE GALETTE A SIMPLE DESSERT THAT'S QUICK AND EASY TO MAKE AND DELICIOUS TO EAT! PHOTOGRAPHS & TEXT: NATASHA LIVIERO / UNSPLASH

GALETTE MAKES 1 X 22CM GALETTE

INGREDIENTS: 300g puff pastry flour for dusting 1 egg yolk, beaten 20g salted butter, melted 30g brown sugar 2 firm, crispy red or green apples 40g apricot jam 6g rum 5g flaked almonds zest of 1 orange confectioners/icing sugar for dusting

METHOD: Preheat oven to 2000C. Roll puff pastry on a lightly floured surface, cut out a 22cm circle and place on a baking tray. Without cutting right through the pastry, carefully create a 1cm border by etching a line around the circle's diameter. Then, brush the 1cm border with the egg yolk. #4 Brush the inside circle with half the butter and then sprinkle and spread the sugar evenly over the surface, taking care to not spread the butter or sugar over the egg-washed border. Place in the fridge to chill. #5 Core and thinly slice the apples 3-4mm thick. You can use a mandolin for consistency. #6 Remove pastry from the fridge and arrange the apple slices in an overlapping fan design within the circle's border. #7 Brush the apples with the remaining butter and sprinkle with flaked almonds. #8 Bake for 22-25 minutes until golden brown. If one side puffs higher than the other, pierce a small hole in the puffed area. #9 Heat the apricot jam and rum together while the galette is baking and whisk to form a smooth consistency. #10 Remove the baked galette from the oven and brush with the jam/rum mixture, followed by a grating of orange zest. #11 Allow cooling slightly before serving with a light dusting of confectioners sugar.

#1 #2 #3

NOTES: 4 Best eaten warm or the day made. 4 Delicious eaten with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. 4 Galettes are rustic by nature, which means that you can easily follow the method above whilst making them larger, smaller or in different shapes. Then, simply adjust the ingredient quantities (to taste) and baking time accordingly.

NATASHA LIVIERO - PASTRY CHEF Natasha is a recently qualified pastry chef who is South African by birth and Croatian by blood. She spent many years working for a wellness publication but did an about-turn at the beginning of 2020 when she joined a culinary school to fulfil a lifelong dream to study patisserie. She’s passionate about European patisserie and loves spending time in the kitchen experimenting with recipes (while quibbling with her feline friends), and is always on the hunt for interesting new cookbooks. natashaliviero

MARCH 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

WHERE ARE OUR FEMALE COMEDIANS?

CONRAD EXPLORES THE GENDER GAP IN STAND UP COMEDY. PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH

TEXT CONRAD MOLDEN

THE YEAR IS 2001 - I'm 11 years old and in love with stand up com“The fewer female comedians, the less comedy they make, the less to listen to. And it repeats.”

edy. Deeply in love. My Mum took me to see a live stand-up comedy show, and it was the funniest thing I had ever experienced. A bombastic night; absolutely hilarious. I distinctly remember a moment of the comedian mocking the ridiculous nature of insurance adverts. Such a simple concept, and I actually fell off my chair onto the floor. Holding my ribs like something from a cartoon. It was raw, uncensored and outside of every boundary I knew. Just a guy, on a stage, with a microphone, talking to the minds of an intently listening audience. So, through cassette tapes, VHS and tickets I started to watch and listen to more of these guys on stage.

ALMOST ENTIRELY GUYS And that's actually how it has mostly stayed. Whether on a phone or backstage at a comedy club, it's a lot of guys. Nearly always men. In a country 50% female, in a world 50% female. The fewer female comedians, the less comedy they make, the less to listen to. And it repeats. From 11, I was enthralled by stand up, but so rarely did I see female comedians. They are odd rarities in an industry dominated by men. Worse still, this issue is multidimensional. The comedy industry is just brains, mouths and microphones. As a result, women are under-represented in an industry with nothing to do with physicality. But it isn't just that.

LET ME TAKE A STEP BACK I believe comedy to be essential. Stand-up comedians are contemporary anthropologists modern-day philosophers and have a critical role in challenging some of the day's most pressing issues. Comedians bring knowledge to the conscious awareness of their audience, expose human nature and produce insightful commentaries on the human condition. Comics act as proto-sociologists whose performances are essential for producing and maintaining society's cultural atmosphere. I truly believe nothing is off-limits when it comes to humour. In fact, quite the opposite. Laughter is a release of tension. We often only see our true feelings when they are put into the absurd. Not to sound too bold, but comedy is almost therapy. Personally, I love all types of stand up, but relatable, insightful, philosophical and satirical comedy is what really tickles my funny bones. And that is why I find it especially painful when prominent female comedians feel compelled to talk exclusively about sex, menstruation and faking orgasms. Tragically, so many wom-

CONRAD MOLDEN WRITER & COMEDIAN en have been confined to such a banal set of clichés - a tragedy that we are all accountable for. Female comedians can be as insightful and analytical as any male. Some rock-solid inspirational women defy platitude. But not enough. This problem is global, not just in the Danish comedy scene, or amongst internationals. There is a cold-hearted pressure on performing women to be funny. An unknown male on stage acts as a neutral - a woman is made to prove something. Then on stage, there can be pressure to go for the insensitive and gross. These always get a reaction in an industry where reaction is everything. Groans are better than silence. It is my belief that all comedians can fall into that trap. Stand up can transcend identity and societal roles. So as audiences, we should nurture and cherish the profound comedians who tap into that magic. If we understood comedy as a place of human exploration, we could phase out male domination and have a platform for everyone and anyone to muse on life's oddities. Because there are plenty of them, it would be a start to have every available head picking them apart. THE-INTL

Conrad is a 30+ father of two, performing in the Danish stand up scene. He got his big break with a national tour of his one-man show 'Danglish', which is streaming (along with its sequel) on the subscription service TV2 or his website. He is an amateur anthropologist, living amongst the Danes and reporting back to his international friends. He has ambitions to lær the dansk but after nine years thinks nodding and grumbling might be a more realistic survival tactic. His comedy is aimed at anyone seeking comfort, support or relief in this strange land. @ConradMolden.dk @conradmolden @ConradMoldenComedy @conradmolden

MARCH 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

where can i find a copy?

Don't miss picking up the latest issue at these public pick-up points around Denmark.

 PUBLIC PICK-UP POINTS ON ZEALAND SOCIAL BREW INTERNATIONAL HOUSE COPENHAGEN ART ESCAPE STUDIOS AMERICAN PIE ZOKU COPENHAGEN LOLLAND NEWCOMER SERVICE

VESTER FARIMAGSGADE 3 - COPENHAGEN GYLDENLØVESGADE 11 - COPENHAGEN BLEGDAMSVEJ 68 - COPENHAGEN SKINDERGADE 25 - COPENHAGEN AMAGERFÆLLEDVEJ 108 - COPENHAGEN TORVET 3 - MARIBO

PUBLIC PICK-UP POINT ON FUNEN CAFÉ L’ILE

DALUMVEJ 3 - ODENSE SV

PUBLIC PICK-UP POINTS IN JUTLAND DOKK1 LIBRARY (INFORMATION DESK) INTERNATIONAL HOUSE NORTH DENMARK ESBJERG NEWCOMER SERVICE VEJLE NEWCOMER SERVICE HERNING BIBLIOTEKERNE BILLUND NEWCOME SERVICE SØNDERBORG NEWCOMER SERVICE

HACK KAMPMANNS PLADS 2 - AARHUS RANTZAUSGADE 4 - AALBORG TORVEGADE 23 - ESBJERG SKOLEGADE 1 - VEJLE ØSTERGADE 8 - HERNING KLØVERMARKEN 35 - BILLUND RÅDHUSTORVET 10 - SØNDERBORG

You can also read or download the latest issue online: the-intl.com

MARCH 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

LEADERS IN THE MAKING PHOTOGRAPHS NORTH ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

TEXT MICHAELA MEDVEDOVÁ

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY is an interesting marker of time passed in the history of gender equality. It’s a cause to celebrate all the important milestones achieved and a reminder of everything that still needs achieving. Every year, the World Economic Forum’s 2021 Global Gender Gap Report measures how long it will take to erase gender inequality on factors such as economic opportunity, political power, education, and health. During the first year of the pandemic, the due date of gender equality moved away by a generation. In 2020, it was supposed to take 99,5 years. In 2021, it increased to 135,6 years. Education is one of the significant areas suffering from inequality. Be it because of child marriage, poverty, or other factors, according to UNICEF, only 49% of countries worldwide can boast gender parity in primary schools and as we move to higher levels of education, the percentage drops. But at the same time, education can help close the gap between the two genders in developed countries, where other societal factors contribute to gender inequality. “I believe there is still a disparity in leadership roles because of the different societal pressures men and women face as adults,” says Amy Groom, a teacher at North Zealand International School (NIS). For example, many women still face pressure to be seen as gentle and caring, whereas men are expected to be outspoken and assertive - qualities usually attributed to leaders. “To me, empowerment means giving young women the tools they need to feel confident in their abilities. Giving girls confidence in how to use their voice is vital - and one way of giving them this confidence is making sure that strong female figures are visible in their everyday lives.” ROLE MODELS THAT INSPIRE TO LEAD That is why seeing female leadership in schools is so important from a young age. Being surrounded by strong role models can inspire girls to take on a leadership role themselves. “Fortunately, there are many fantastic role models in schools for young girls. At NIS, for example, all the science teachers in the International school are female. So it’s great that girls know any career direction is possible,” says Head of School Karen Bøttger. She believes schools play a huge role in ensuring equity in classrooms. “All learners, male or female, are empowered to take a variety of roles in class or group work. Girls

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"FORTUNATELY, THERE ARE MANY FANTASTIC ROLE MODELS IN SCHOOLS FOR YOUNG GIRLS. AT NIS, FOR EXAMPLE, ALL THE SCIENCE TEACHERS IN THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ARE FEMALE. SO IT'S GREAT THAT GIRLS KNOW ANY CAREER DIRECTION IS POSSIBLE," SAYS HEAD OF SCHOOL KAREN BØTTGER.

and boys in schools need equal access to opportunities to lead. It has to become the norm.” NIS ensures equal opportunities by eliminating genderbased titles and requirements in leadership roles. For example, each class has two school council representatives - in practice, this means that some classes may have two boys or two girls representing their class. “By taking away the requirement of gender, you place the focus on the individuals and their personal qualities,” says Amy.

STRIVING FOR GENDER EQUALITY According to Karen, international schools have a responsibility to prepare young people for the future, a part of which is a school-wide focus on sustainable development goals (SDGs). Learners develop an awareness of challenges and work together to find solutions. The following school year will be devoted to SDG #5: Gender Equality. NIS ensures that all students have an equal opportunity to express themselves and develop. “Many traditional teaching practices and assessment techniques cater more to male brains. We consistently update our teaching with innovative techniques to ensure all students can demonstrate their full potential,” explains Amy. Students are also encouraged to research and discuss

various topics, especially those surrounding current sexism-based problems. As part of the homeroom curriculum in upper secondary education, it’s, for example, sexual harassment and how to prevent it in the future. Amy believes that teaching all students, not just girls, about these issues is vital to changing the attitudes and culture surrounding the problems. As an international school, NIS is also mindful of diversity in their curriculum, so students, for example, learn about influential women in fields of science and writers from various cultural backgrounds. “Learning about heroines of the past can pave the way for inspiring the heroines of the future,” Amy concludes. THE-INTL

GENDER EQUALITY ARE WE THERE YET? PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH

TEXT SARAH REDOHL

Denmark regularly ranks among the top countries in the world to be a woman. Columnist Sarah Redohl wonders if figuring out the ‘best country’ for women is the best question to ask ourselves.

"DID YOU KNOW DENMARK IS THE best country in the world to be a woman.’ That headline made the media rounds back in 2016, the year after Denmark broke into the top five on the World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Index. However, Denmark has been slipping down the list ever since. Between 2020 and 2021, Denmark dropped 15 places and now sits 29th on the list while all its Nordic neighbours remain in the top five. This isn’t the only recent instance Denmark has been compared unfavourably to its neighbours in this regard. Denmark caught some flack for not embracing the #MeToo movement quite as quickly as, say, Sweden. Some claim the #MeToo movement didn’t hit its stride in Denmark until 2020, nearly three years after it began, when a Danish television presenter shared her story of gender discrimination and sexual assault on national television, prompting thousands of women to speak out. This left some wondering, “Why did it take so long?” HYGGE SEXISM? A 2019 YouGov poll found that only 4% of men and 8% of women surveyed in Denmark had a ‘very favourable’ impression of the #MeToo movement, compared to 16% and 34% in Sweden, and 19% and 24% across all countries surveyed. Although only one quarter of Danish women identifies as feminists (half that of Sweden), one third said wolf-whistling at women in the street is acceptable (second only to Nigeria among all countries surveyed). “More Danish women are happy to be wolf-whistled than to be called feminist,” reads The Guardian’s coverage of the poll. These low-level incidents even have a term: ‘hygge sexism’, playing off that quintessential Danish cliche of cosy conviviality. “As Danes, we’re supposed to be so liberated that you can take a little bit of ‘hygge sexism’,” said Henriette Laursen, director of Kvinfo, the Danish

Centre for Research on Women and Gender. Danish author Dorthe Nors argues that this mentality is related to frisund, the Danish concept of free-thinking and tolerance that underscores Denmark’s sexual liberalism. As Professor of Communication Studies at Roskilde University Rikke Andreassen put it, “We have had a culture where what you say isn’t racist or sexist if you don’t intend it to be.” So long as you do something “for ‘fun’,” she added, “then culturally, we tend to think it’s not that bad.” Don’t get me wrong; I understand the difference between employment rights, access to education, and equal pay…and a wolf whistle or a sexist joke. I also respect every woman’s right to define for herself what is acceptable. And, I think Denmark truly is a better place to be a woman than my home country. Nevertheless, I think this creates some incongruences for Denmark’s internationals. A single instance of ‘hygge sexism’ gone unaddressed by one’s colleagues may go a long way to undermine Denmark’s reputation for gender equality in that international’s eyes. One person I spoke with who is very well-connected in the international community even wondered aloud to me if perhaps women from countries with less gender equality might be seen as more willing to tolerate things that Danish women simply wouldn’t and thus become targets. I don’t think that’s the case, but I understand why the question was asked. Like most women, I have a long catalogue of personal experiences, some unquestionably sexist, others a matter of perception. For example, when I interviewed an expert on TV only for him to answer to my male co-host, I wondered: Is it because I’m a woman, or because he’s sitting closer to my co-host? When a man meowed at me on the street, I wondered: Is it because I’m a woman, or is it because I forgot to lint-roll my shirt af-

ter cuddling with my cat? Ever since I moved abroad, I find myself asking similar questions. When someone is rude to me, I wonder: Is it because I’m foreign or a cultural misunderstanding? So, when a foreign woman is told a sexist joke in one of the ‘best countries in the world to be a woman’, I could understand why she might perceive it differently.

(MIS)PERCEPTIONS AND (DIS)PARITY When Denmark earned the rank of ‘the best country in the world to be a woman’, it was based on a survey of Danish women which specifically aimed to gauge perceptions. Perception can be a powerful thing. It can turn a wolf whistle into a compliment, or it can turn a joke into a jingoist insult. Perception can also hinder progress. Sofie Carsten Nielsen, member of parliament and the Danish Social Liberal Party, said most Danish politicians seem to think the battle for gender equality has been won. “Let’s be frank, it’s bull**** and a mistake to think that there’s nothing left to fight for,” she said. Statistically speaking, Denmark continues to improve in terms of gender equality, albeit at one of the slowest rates within Europe. With a score of 77 on the EU’s Gender Equality Index, Denmark is nearly 10 points ahead of the EU average. But, that score is out of 100. If you earned a 77 on a test, would you perceive that as ‘good enough’? Perhaps you would if you were praised for your score and set the curve for the entire class. Being considered ‘the best country in the world to be a woman’ is like setting the curve. But, should we be grading gender equality on a curve? The real question behind gender equality isn’t a comparison of countries. It is a comparison of the lives of men and women within a country. And I think getting a C+ offers plenty of room for improvement. THE-INTL

SARAH REDOHL JOURNALIST, WRITER, FILMMAKER Sarah is a journalist, writer, and filmmaker from the American Midwest. Although she holds a journalism degree from the University of Missouri, she’s been a natural-born storyteller since she could talk. Her work has taken her all over the world, from Amsterdam to Zambia and many places in between. She's travelled to more than 40 countries, living in several before settling down in Copenhagen with her partner and their two (well-travelled) cats. Prior to moving to Europe, Sarah worked in a variety of newsrooms, from print to radio, and taught multimedia journalism at her alma mater. @sarahredohl @sarahredohl @sarahredohl

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MAKING FRIENDS AS A REPAT WHEN YOU MOVE ABROAD, YOU TEND TO THINK ABOUT THE EXPERIENCES AND FRIENDS YOU WILL MAKE. HOWEVER, HOW YOU WILL CHANGE DUE TO THE EXPERIENCE IS NOT SOMETHING YOU CAN FORESEE OR PREDICT. PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH

TEXT SHANI BISHOP

WHEN WE RETURNED to the UK, we decided to treat our return as though it was a new posting. We thought this would mean we continue to be curious and open, characteristics that made a living abroad so fun. We have now been home for seven months, and I think this approach has really worked, and I would recommend it. So what does this mean in practice?

MAKE NEW FRIENDS, BUT KEEP THE OLD - SOME ARE SILVER, SOME ARE GOLD… Reconnecting with old friends is easy. You speak or meet, and it feels like you have never been away. You slip into old jokes and know how to make each other laugh. Trust and familiarity are just a given. They know all about your family and where the bodies are buried (not literally, just an expression meaning past problems). For me, these friends live quite far away, so although we now speak more, I've not seen them much more than when I lived in Denmark. One thing which has struck me is that some friendships have changed because I have changed. For example, one friendship had got deeper because I think we felt a sense of competition when the kids were younger. But now, we have more shared interests and have become allies. Another friend had a breakdown and is different, but because I'm older and more experienced, I can sympathise more.

THE 'CATCH UP' Quite a few people I have met when out and about locally are friends I knew pretty well before leaving. Their lives have moved on, and I'm not part of it anymore. With this group, the catch up seems important. You find out what's happened to them in the last five years and vice versa. Both of you then feel it's ok to let go again, knowing you can rekindle this friendship but probably won't, and that's ok.

THE NEW FRIENDS My new friends have mainly come from the kid's schools. It's always easier to make friends with mums at primary schools because of playdates. Also, families have moved out of London, and there seems to be a lot of movement in primary school, so we have met some great families. I have been quite proactive with my oldest in secondary, inviting mums around, arranging a WhatsApp group, and starting conversations online. When a mum showed interest in de-

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veloping a friendship, I followed up and invited them out. I have lots more exciting stories now than I used to, so I am better at conversation.

FOREIGN NATIONALS We all remember what it was like to be a foreign national in Denmark, so I welcome newcomers. My sons were surprised when I said 'welcome' to some Hong Kongers who have set up a fantastic bubble tea shop in our nearest town. We had an interesting chat about living aboard and how they are faring.

LOCAL GROUPS A bit like a Kommune, our county council runs lots of

brilliant groups. I am now attending a sewing group and have done some online cooking courses. Many people from Hong Kong have moved to the UK, so they have set up groups and English lessons to help them settle, which I think is great. THE-INTL

MY TOP TIPS FOR MAKING NEW FRIENDS AS A REPAT     

Treat returning home as a new posting Be proactive in making friends through school or local groups Invite like-minded people together at your house. Remember how it feels to be new and talk to newcomers. Reach out more than feels natural.

GIRL POWER PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH

TEXT MONIKA PEDERSEN

'GIRL POWER' WAS a term coined in the late 1990s by all-girl band, 'the Spice Girls', who rocked the music scene with their 'sassy' attitude, self-sufficiency, and female empowerment lyrics. They are contributors to the plight of women seeking greater gender equality. However, generations of iconic females before and after them, such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sally Ride, Hillary Clinton, and Malala Yousafzai, to name a few, have also championed the fight for female rights.

“It is essential to foster an interest in the sciences, math, technology, and humanity-based subjects in all students. Subjects are not gender-specific.”

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY March 8 marks International Women's Day, which celebrates the strides women have made in different spheres of life across the globe to gain equality. It is incredible to think that this date has been celebrated since 1911 but sobering to know that the levelling up still has a considerable journey.

EDUCATION FOR EVERYONE One of the fundamental means of gaining fairness is through education. The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund's, UNICEF, 1989 document 'The Convention on the Rights of the Child', declared in point 28. 'Every child has the right to an education. Primary education should be free. Secondary and higher education should be available to every child. Children should be encouraged to go to school to the highest level possible.'

INEQUALITY Sadly, this is only transpired in part for UNICEF's statistics also state that ‘129 million girls are out of school, including 32 million primary school age, 30 million lower-secondary school age, and 67 million upper-secondary school age. In countries affected by conflict, girls are more than twice as likely to be out of school than girls living in non-affected countries.' This makes for devasting reading. In contrast, countries where all young people can access education demonstrate that girls are frequently those achieving higher test results and exhibiting more consistency in their work habits than boys. This was verified in Kenneth Reinecke Hansen and Jonas Nygaard Blom's research paper.

THE DANISH GENDER GAP Their findings are echoed by the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment, PISA, which reported Danish results, primarily relating to students' skills. The report shares that girls were not significantly behind boys in Math. Moreover, they excelled in science and seriously outdid boys in reading literacy. This highlights that girls compete well with their male counterparts given the opportunity. The statistics also confirm that girls do equally well in high school and university. Since the mid-1990s, the enrolment of females in Danish universities has been higher than males. The issue at stake is that females seem to be less likely to enrol in IT or more science base options. Unfortunately, the trend takes a downward turn in the marketplace. In academia, gender diversity within university research work indicates that there are far fewer females. This thread is also prevalent in the workplace, where another commissioned re-

MONIKA PEDERSEN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATOR Monika comes from the London area of the UK, where she port highlights that women are underrepresented in leadership roles, and Denmark lags behind its Nordic neighbours in promoting females to top positions.

worked in the state system

TAKING STEPS

er of 11-18 students and then

The time to change this mindset and pathway is right back in the early stages of schooling. It is essential to foster an interest in the sciences, math, technology, and humanity-based subjects in all students. Subjects are not gender-specific. Teachers need to encourage participation by both sexes and seek out engaging materials, find creative ways to turn difficult subjects into interesting studies and instil in all students a sense of self-belief that they can access subjects and achieve success. So much is tied up in the language used, the instructional approach towards boys and girls, and the goals the students set for themselves endorsed by their educators, mentors, and parents. It is also imperative to consider the diversity of the employed staff to provide students with positive role models and not stereotypical personnel. Connecting with and exploring a subject with an inspiring teacher makes a huge difference in a student's life. Obviously, this is an ideal, but the opportunity to deliver a diverse, talented teaching staff provides students with truly enriching and long-lasting experiences.

and the international school system, as an English teacha section leader. She has also worked in Germany and now in Denmark. She has an overview of the British, International, and American educational systems and is currently learning about the Danish system. She has been in education for 32 years and continues to enjoy the profession. She has relocated to Copenhagen as she is married to a Dane. She enjoys jogging, waterside walks, and cooking.

INEQUALITY

@monikapedersen

It is possible to narrow the gender inequality gap, but it will take the continued, valiant efforts of bold females, activists, and a pivoting in the educational system and companies to secure equal opportunities for all. THE-INTL

@monikapedersen @monikapedersen

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LIFE AS A SPECIAL NEEDS ADULT COMING OF AGE IS AN IMPORTANT EVENT IN EVERY YOUNG PERSON'S LIFE. IT BRINGS INDEPENDENCE AND FREEDOM AND MANY CELEBRATE THEIR 18TH BIRTHDAY WITH AN UNDENIABLE DEGREE OF EXCITEMENT.

PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH

WITH SPECIAL NEEDS adolescents turning 18

is a period of uncertainty, and in some cases, it is a period of downright anxiety. When a young person with special needs turns 18, their case is moved from the municipality childdisability department to the adult-disability department. Although it would seem obvious that a person's special needs would be the same throughout the majority of their lives, it is not uncommon for municipalities to see the matter differently when a young person turns 18. In this article, we take a closer look at the process surrounding moving into adulthood when you have special needs - but also on how, in practice, it may not always be smooth sailing.

WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY? The §19 amendments to the Service Act (Serviceloven) was passed on January 1st, 2021, to create a bridge for teenagers with a disability or long-term/chronic illness who are moving into adulthood. This new legislation states that municipalities must reach out to these adolescents as soon as they turn 16 to get a head start on the transition into adulthood. According to Socialstyrelsen, the municipality-appointed caseworker should approach the transition holistically and thoroughly, ensuring that the young adult and their family are actively involved in the process, and their wishes are heard and taken into account. Meetings should cover everything from assistance or support needs to employment and education, housing and social circumstances. The municipality and other institutions should collaborate both independently and with the young adult and their family to ensure that the specific plan for passing into adulthood can be put into effect immediately after the person in question's 18th birthday. The intended purpose for planning the process well in advance, i.e. after the 16th birthday, is to ensure that young adults do not go without much-needed assistance once they turn 18.

DOES THE LAW WORK IN PRACTICE? The short answer is that it all depends on the municipality and how they carry out the above described legislation in practice. Unfortunately, this means that despite the

TEXT SARA R. NEWELL / MICHAELA MEDVEDOVÁ

law dictating that the transition should happen as soon as possible after the child's 16th birthday, it is not uncommon for families to experience significant delays in being contacted or not being contacted at all. When turning 18, the transition from receiving assistance from the childdisability department to having one's case moved to the adult-disability department can result in a decrease or elimination of necessary assistance. Likewise, it can also result in the wishes of the young adult and their family not being respected. According to the parents of a multi-handicapped daughter, regarding when she turned 18: "The municipality tried to have her move to a residential institution, despite her explicit wishes to keep living at home. When this did not succeed, the municipality reduced her total vital assistance by 80%, and completely without justification." In the case of a parent to an adult son with autism, the transition to adulthood was even more radical: "My son needs assistance 24/7 - he is like a 2-year-old child and cannot be left alone. When he turned 18, all of our assistance at home was removed. We have had to start from scratch in battling the municipality to get assistance for our son."

OPTIONS FOR WHEN YOUR CHILD NEEDS DECISION-MAKING HELP While parents should be a part of the dialogue with the municipality alongside their children, it is essential to remember that once your child turns 18, they are presumed capable of making sound judgements for themselves, and they become legally responsible for their own decisions. Once your child turns 18, the caseworker will only discuss your child's matter with your child if they consent to your continued participation in the process. Your child can also give another person a power of attorney, which will allow them to act on their behalf in specific areas, such as finances. After your child reaches the age of 18, the focus ceases to be on the family's needs as a whole, and the primary area of focus is on your child's needs. According to DUKH, financial services such as additional expenses for children or lost earnings no longer apply once your child turns 18. If your child has a severe disability, you can apply for

MICHAELA MEDVEDOVÁ comes from Slovakia and moved to Denmark 3 years ago to study for her Master's degree. She says living in Odense is the perfect city for her because it's not too large to be intimidating, but still exciting! She works at Umbraco as a Magical Copy Whisperer and started a podcast with her friends - @humans.of.sdu. She loves watching and talking about movies, Harry Potter, karaoke nights (even though she can't sing to save her life), and pub quizzes (winning them, to be specific).

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legal guardianship (værgemål), which gives the guardian full or partial control over an individual's affairs. You can apply for legal guardianship between four and eight weeks before your child's 18th birthday, but guardianship will only come into effect after your child's 18th birthday. Applications are handled by the Family Court (Familieretshuset). However, it is not uncommon for the application approval process to exceed eight weeks. Even in the case of legal guardianship being granted, neither does this guarantee smooth sailing into adulthood. For example, a mother who has been appointed the legal guardian to her 18-year-old, non-verbal, autistic son with a mental disability describes that her son lives at home and that this is possible since he receives the support of a disability helper while she is at work. However, the municipality deemed that her son's assistance hours were above the normal level to be expected, and she says: "On this basis, the municipality wanted to place my son in a residential institution, and informed me that if I did not agree to this, that the municipality would start a case to cease my guardianship of my son." No matter what situation you and your soon to be 18 year old are in, remember to surround yourselves with support networks and social groups. These can be a great source of information and support and can help deal with the everyday challenges that people with a disability and their families face in Denmark.

RESOURCES THAT CAN HELP If your family is preparing for the transition towards your child's legal adulthood, DUKH (Den Uvildige Konsulentordning på Handicapområdet) is an independent organisation that gives parents and people with handicap free legal counselling and is a valuable source of disability-related information. For Lige Vilkår, an organisation helping parents with special-needs children, holds an event providing information about the transition from a child to an adult. DUOS, a welfare company focused on helping the elderly and children and adults with disabilities, also offers a seminar, among other topics, on the issue of transition. THE-INTL

SARA R. NEWELL is from Canada, went to high-school in Costa Rica, and has worked and studied in Iceland and Denmark. She is a disability rights activist and has a master's degree in Technological Business Development and Biomedical Engineering from Aarhus University. Sara has lived in Denmark since 2003, and lives with her husband and daughter. She hopes to contribute and share insights with others who have children with disabilities. https://www.linkedin.com/in/sararose-newell-b1904726 / https://m.facebook.com/groups/bakopomdepaarorende

THE PREREQUISITE OF SELF-DEVELOPMENT:

SELF-DISCOVERY GUIDE TO SELF- DEVELOPMENT (PART 3) - COMMIT TING TO BEING SELF-AWARE

PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH

TEXT AINA MASOOD

THIS MONTH, I would like to take a step back and focus on self-discovery, a stepping-stone in the self-development journey. Self- discovery or awareness is a prerequisite to the process of self-development. If you want to move forward, it is essential to know where you stand. Similarly, for you to take a step in developing who you are, knowing who you are is imperative. When you try to gain insight into your inner self, you uncover your values, beliefs, personality traits and preferences.

AINA MASOOD PSYCHOLOGIST

IMPORTANT REMINDERS  Self-discovery is a process and looks different for everyone.  It requires time, effort, kindness, and consistency.  If something didn’t work for someone, it doesn’t mean it would not work for you and vice versa.  Surround yourself with people who help you grow.  Progress on this path is subjective, which means only you can decide what progress means.

HOW TO GET STARTED?

#1 SELF-EXPLORATION THROUGH THERAPY Trying to get to know yourself better means you will have to revisit past traumas, difficult periods, and heartbreaks. It is beneficial to have a safe and secure environment, free of judgements, so you can fully immerse in the experience. Having a therapist can prove effective as it allows you to examine your emotions and develop a deeper connection with yourself. You do not have to do it alone.

#2 REFLECT AND JOURNAL Use the art of introspection and storytelling. Ask questions about why you do the things you do and write down your thoughts and feelings. Try to make a timeline of your life to see the significant events and your biggest moments. It is also helpful to try a time capsule or write journal entries using journaling prompts. To get

Aina is the founder and CEO of R.A.I.N (Recognise, Accept, Investigate, Nurture), a company that helps universities yourself started, you can use the following journal prompts:  What is your fondest childhood memory?  What did you enjoy doing as a child?  What are three little things that bring a smile to your face? You can later use the answers to these questions to bring lightness and joy to your days by putting it in action and making it a part of your day.

#3 IDENTIFY WHAT YOU BELIEVE ABOUT YOURSELF Your values, beliefs and qualities can give information about who you believe yourself to be as a person. They can help you picture a life you want to have, how you want to behave and what you expect from

others. For example, some of your values might be compassion, loyalty, honesty, respect for space and boundaries etc. When you invest in uncovering these values, you have a better chance of living by them.

and organisations take care of their colleagues and employees' mental health. Aina has completed her master's in clinical psychology from Pakistan. She has lived in the USA

#4 GIVE YOURSELF 10 MINUTES A DAY

for 6 months and has been in

Add 10 minutes to your schedule for yourself. This could be any time of the day when you sit with yourself. Think of it as 10 minutes of stillness and doing absolutely nothing. This is you showing respect and giving yourself the honour to be still. You can start with 5 minutes if ten sounds intimidating. Remember that you are not doing anything except being still for this time duration. When it is over, you can record anything coming up during that time and give yourself some time to process it before you go back to your day.

Denmark for over a year. Pas-

The bottom line is Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither were you. Who you are today is a product of years of happenings, and it would take time to dig deeper and reconnect with your inner self. However, taking steps in the correct direction counts, and you are in charge of this process. THE-INTL

research and writing. She is

sionate about mental health and destigmatising mental health problems, she is working towards helping individuals and organisations be healthier, happier, and more productive. She accomplishes this by working with clients via Skype, conducting workshops/webinars with various organisations, and through a professional photographer and uses her pictures to reflect on her daily life and shares them on her blog. A psychologist, writer, speaker, mental health advocate, photographer, explorer, volunteer, and a wife, Aina is making her way through the world and narrat-

"THIS IS YOU SHOWING RESPECT AND GIVING YOURSELF THE HONOUR TO BE STILL."

ing the story of her life. https://www.linkedin.com/ in/ainamasood/ https://www.instagram. com/ayena_reflections/

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JUTL AND

JUMPING INTO SPRING WITH INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP FORUM

AARHUS AND EASTERN JUTLAND IS HOME TO MANY INTERNATIONALLY-MINDED COMPANIES AND ORGANISATIONS THAT ALL CONTRIBUTE TO THE INTERNATIONALISATION OF THIS AREA. THIS MONTH INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY GIVES THE FLOOR TO ITS VERY OWN TINY MAERSCHALK, LIVING AND WORKING IN AARHUS FOR ERHVERV AARHUS.

PHOTOGRAPHS INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

TEXT TINY MAERSCHALK - INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

SPRING IS IN the air. Crocuses, snowdrops and erantis are emerging from the ground. The first rays of sunshine are peeking through the winter haze, and there is this unique type of freshness in the air, giving you an extra spring in your step. Spring is often associated with cleaning. Clearing, tidying up, getting rid of the old and worn when the cold days are over. You can do a thorough spring cleaning of your house, getting rid of the general dust and dirt. However, spring cleaning does not necessarily mean giving a place a thorough cleaning. International Community has done a spring clean by revisiting its initiative International Leadership Forum. ILF was founded in 2018 with the support of the City of Aarhus to nourish the potential, experience, and opportunities that international leaders and talent bring to the Aarhus area. The International Leadership Forum helps internationally-minded, C-level executives lead and succeed in Danish companies. The ILF members highly appreciated the behind-the-scenes visits to companies and cultural institutions, but it was time to turn it up a notch and give the forum’s networking activities that extra oomph. Therefore the ILF has entered a partnership with Aarhus University’s School of Business and Social Sciences (BSS) to explore Danish leadership styles and how they function in international settings. The partnership marks a new chapter in developing the International Leadership Forum and will manifest in a series of ILF events hosted at Aarhus University. “Our mission in ILF is to help executives who work in international environments become better leaders. These can be both expats who are recruited to Denmark but also Danes who work with international teams and organisations,” says ILF foreman Brian Woodward. “This partnership will mean that we can offer ILF members even deeper and more focused perspectives. I like to think of it as a ‘mini-MBA’ in Danish leadership.” The International Leadership Forum is now open to both expat leaders and Danish citizens interested in international leadership and business issues. We want to strengthen the knowledge sharing across cultures and nationalities by inviting Danish leaders in. “Through the pandemic, we haven’t really been able to meet, and so we chose to focus on finding ways to take deeper dive into

“Our mission in ILF is to help executives who work in international environments become better leaders.” - ILF foreman Brian Woodward

international leadership issues and sharpen ILFs focus,” Woodward says. “Luckily, we have one of the best universities and business schools in Europe right in our back yard, and so it seemed like a natural fit. We want to take advantage of that to ensure that we can support and get the most out of the international talent that comes to Aarhus but also to discuss how we can turn the relative effectiveness of the Danish style of leadership into an asset that can benefit Danish companies across the globe.” THE-INTL

INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY OF AARHUS We of fe r a w ide ra ng e of events, seminars and on-

DID YOU KNOW?  International Leadership Forum is a professional network open to both expat leaders and Danish citizens interested in international leadership and business issues.  Membership is by invitation only, and fees are up to 4,000 DKK annually, including 5-6 events.  To learn more about ILF, contact the head of the ILF secretariat, Jesper Theil, at jt@erhvervaarhus.dk

line activities that help internationals get settled in Denmark. Learn more on our website or follow us on: www.erhvervaarhus.dk www.internationalcommu nity.dk @internationalcommunity Aarhus @internationalcommunity aarhus

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WOMEN ARE EVERYWHERE

SUSAN JESSEN SPIELE LIBRARIAN Susan is a librarian at Roskilde Library, and in charge of

For a long time, women were nearly invisible in the history books. To a certain extent, that oversight is being remedied in both non-fiction and fiction now, so here are some kick-ass historical women. Enjoy.

the English section. She does English events all year; everything from expat dinners and pub quizzes, to karaoke nights

UNIQUE WOMAN, UNIQUE WRITING

EQUALLY HEARTBREAKING AND HOPEFUL

MATRIX BY LAUREN GROFF

THE FOUR WINDS

Marie is sent from France to England at seventeen years old to be the new prioress of an impoverished ab bey. She does not fit at Eleanor’s court or marriage, but she rebuilds the abbey and a great life for herself from a rocky start.

Elsa is an ordinary,

BY KRISTIN HANNAH

poor woman farming in Texas in 1934 when the drought hit. Alone with two children, she faces hard decisions that will impact the rest of their lives. Will she stay or move out to California.

A POWERHOUSE OF A WOMAN

A TIMELY, POIGNANT STORY

THE CAPTIVE QUEEN

THE PERSONAL LIBRARIAN BY MARIE BENEDICT

BY ALISON WEIR

Eleanor of Aquitaine is 26 years old, mother of two and queen of France when she meets 1 8 -ye a r - o l d He n r y Plantagenet. She leaves all behind to follow him and helps him become king of England. Their marriage is everything but boring!

and book talks.

Belle Da Costa Greene became J.P.Morgan’s librarian and created a fantastic collection of rare books and art. She was a career woman when they were few and an influential woman. But she carried a secret; she was black.

DID YOU KNOW? Sct. Patrick’s Day! Thursday 17th of March you are cordially invited to an “Irish pub” night. You can enjoy our bar with a wee Irish selection and of course the outstanding company! We expect you to wear at least a token of green, and there will be a free drink for the one that goes all in. Sct. Patrick’s Day! | Roskilde Bibliotekerne

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ENTREPRENEUR, COLLABORATOR

AND INNOVATOR IN THIS ISSUE, WE INTRODUCE YOU TO CEO SCIENCE CITY LYNGBY, MARIANNA LUBANSKI.

PHOTOGRAPHS SCIENCE CITY LYNGBY

TEXT SKYLER BENTLEY HALL

DYNAMIC AND ENGAGING

innovator, Marianna Lubanski, is passionate about her role as the CEO of Science City Lyngby. Through a recent interview, Marianna explains how she became "an entrepreneur by coincidence, followed by roles in large corporations and triple helix organisations and initiatives working all over the planet." Marianna successfully leads a public-private partnership of more than eighty organisations around the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). It only takes one meeting with Marianna to fully comprehend her influential, entrepreneurial spirit - she shared highlights of her collective efforts.

SKYLER BENTLEY HALL EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANT

WHAT IS SCIENCE CITY LYNGBY? Science City Lyngby is a not-for-profit member organisation nurturing local collaborations between the municipality, the university (DTU), nine other educational institutions, and over seventy private companies. Our vision is to make LyngbyTaarbæk one of Europe's leading knowledge and university cities with the best education, research, business, and startups conditions.

WHAT INVOLVEMENT DOES DTU HAVE WITH SCIENCE CITY LYNGBY? We are closely connected to DTU and many other educational institutions based on our geography. We connect the university with the local citizens to disseminate research results, connect DTU entities with private companies for innovation purposes, connect graduates with companies for job purposes, and many other things. We are a strong partner for DTU Skylab, presenting challenges and data for student innovation camps. Finally, we organise meetings between all our stakeholders to meet, connect, and build trust.

HOW ARE YOU MAKING A DIFFERENCE THROUGH THIS COLLABORATION? We try to co-create among many stakeholders to strengthen our global offer to

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global talent, start-ups, and large corporations. Together, we can build a strong local ecosystem that nurtures innovation and competes with other university cities globally. Many of our members are deeply involved in the green transition. For example, COWI has announced a 100% transition within three to five years of their entire business to only work on sustainable projects, Topsøe is leading the way towards sustainable fuels for aviation and heavy transport, Microsoft has launched a sustainable Cloud solution, and DTU with many other educational institutions and the municipality, work closely together and invest heavily in the green transition of their own buildings, and transport systems.”

DESCRIBE A RECENT INITIATIVE YOU ARE PROUD TO BE INVOLVED IN? DTU has taken the initiative to develop a new university course required for all master's students, combining innovation and engineering. This course kicked off in January 2022, with almost two hundred students working on a Sustainable Re-

"WE CAN BUILD A STRONG LOCAL ECO-SYSTEM THAT NURTURES INNOVATION." tail Challenge for three weeks. Marianna shares, "I presented the challenge, had a two-hour Q&A session, provided individual feedback to some of the groups, and on the final day when they presented, I listened, gave feedback and asked questions to fully understand their idea or concept. Examples include several Apps being suggested to encourage and reward citizens for buying more sustainable products; stores selling used clothes in a social setting for students with coffee; the creation of different green labels; gamification games to catch monsters and get rewards for sustainable shopping; and physical products like a smart cart, an intelligent Lyngby Bag, and a Trolley for rent, to drive your shopping home in a rented bike trolley made of upcycled material. They came up with twenty amazing and inspiring ideas and concepts - it was totally overwhelming and gives me hope for the future!" THE-INTL

Skyler is originally from Canada, and after living in Switzerland for several years, she transitioned to Denmark with her husband and son all proud Canadians. Skyler has worked in the education sector for three decades and found her true passion for supporting students with their educational journey. As the Founder of Bentley Hall Educational Consulting, she advises on career and university options globally. Skyler enjoys spending time with family, exploring new cultures, and embracing the hygge lifestyle in beautiful Denmark. bentleyhall.ca instagram.com/skylerbent leyhall/ facebook.com/skyler.bent leyhall

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN IN DANISH POLITICS OVER A CENTURY HAS PASSED SINCE WOMEN RECEIVED THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND RUN FOR DANISH PARLIAMENT (1915). SO, HOW FAR HAVE WE COME?

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DESPITE REPRESENTING HALF of the population in Denmark, that is still (in 2022) not reflected in the three levels of government (local, regional and national). Moreover, at the last parliamentary elections (2019), women obtained 39,1% of the seats, putting Denmark in 29th place in the world regarding equality. However, if we look at women with a minority background and women without Danish citizenship, the situation is much worse. In 2021, you could count on your fingers the number of international women standing up for local and regional elections in Denmark. True equality will only be achieved when women from various backgrounds will have a significant say over how we do things in this country. The battle for women's political rights in Denmark started early compared to other European states. In 1871, the Danish Women's Society (Dansk Kvindesamfund) was founded, and in 1886, a politician from Venstre made the first failed attempt to give women voting rights. Finally, after 45 years of struggle, women received the right to vote in 1915, and the first nine women got elected in 1918. This represented a turning point for Danish society. It was women that elected the first social-democrat Danish government in 1924. To reward their support, prime-minister Thorvald Stauning appointed a woman for the first time as a minister (Nina Bang, minister of education). This represented the birth of "Scandinavian state feminism" (welfare society and social democrat regime) that systematically empowered women and laid the ground for an "equalitarian society".

SINCE THEN, PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE:

1976: The equal salary law. 1994: The first Danish woman EU-Commissaire (Ritt Bjerregard). 1999: The establishment of an equality minister. 2015: The first Danish woman prime minister (Helle Thorning-Schmidt). Progress obtained through the hard work of women representing other women's interests. My suggestion for today's women's representatives is to add another issue to their agenda: tackling sexism, sexual harassment, and abuse of power. In addition, we need a representation of women with different backgrounds, including women without Danish citizenship. On the way to equality, no woman should be left behind. THE-INTL

TEXT NARCIS GEORGE MATACHE

"MANY WOMEN, ESPECIALLY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN, STAY AWAY FROM POLITICS, AND WE MUST CHANGE THAT. POLITICS SHOULD REFLECT THE DIVERSE SOCIETY WE LIVE IN, AND THUS ALSO LEAD TO BROADER AND BETTER DECISION-MAKING." - ALMINA NIKONTOVIC, LOCAL COUNCILMAN OF BOSNIAN ORIGIN (FREDERIKSHAVN)

NARCIS GEORGE MATACHE Political Analyst Born in Romania, shaped by Denmark and dedicated to the European Union, he has spent most of his twenties advocating for a more internationally-minded Denmark. As one of the most active youth leaders in Denmark (top 20) and Europe (top 50), he has built the largest youth organisation in

AN INTERVIEW WITH INTERNATIONAL WOMEN IN DANISH POLITICS: Alina Răcilă (local candidate Tønder); Roxana Simion (local candidate Frederiksberg)

Aalborg, making the city more inclusive. Today, he continues his mission to make Denmark more inclusive by building an

Q: How was your first experience with Danish politics?

information service that pro-

Do you recommend that other international women get involved?

duces multilingual content

Alina: It was a good experience, rich in (self)education, communica-

to connect the non-Danes to

tion, and emotion, both positive and negative. I have met many new

Danish society. You can book

people, ordinary citizens and politicians, and have learnt a lot from them. We all share individual but at the same time common experiences of life in Denmark. By involving ourselves, we can make a difference to ourselves and others around us. Roxana: My entry into politics was hesitant, but everything became interesting and inspiring once I gained courage. And yes, I recommend

him for workshops, seminars, training, speeches on youth participation, democracy, European citizenship, Danish politics, and media literacy.

all women become involved. If not a candidate for a local/regional election, then as a party member. Joining a political community that advo-

@narcisgeorgematache

cates for the same values as you do are powerful.

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CELEBRATE WHO YOU ARE! LET'S CELEBRATE THE VALUE, COURAGE, RESILIENCE, AND FLEXIBILITY. BE TRUE TO YOURSELF AND SET YOUR MIND FREE, JUST CELEBRATE YOU, BE THE PERSON YOU WANT TO BE, WOMAN OR MAN, DOES IT EVEN MATTER?

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TEXT OPHELIA WU

AS WE CELEBRATE International Women's Day, we celebrate the spirit and not just of what women have achieved, but the unlimited potential of simply being alive. Clara Zetkin (Leader of the 'Women's Office' for the Social Democratic Party in Germany) tabled the idea of an International Women's Day, the same day every year in every country, to be a celebration and press for their demands. It made sense in 1911 (the decision was agreed in guess where - Copenhagen, Denmark!). But we're in 2022 now, and we should celebrate women every day. This year's theme is Break the Bias, and it's about time we do so.

THE DANISH GIRL Copenhagen has been an important city for Women's rights since the 1900s, so I re-watched the movie The Danish Girl (2015, directed by Tom Hooper), loosely inspired by the lives of Danish landscape artist Einar Wegener (later, Lili Elbe) and his portrait artist wife, Gerda. Set in 1926 Copenhagen, society beliefs and settings were very different. When same-sex marriages were illegal and gender boundaries were very rigid and binary, the characters embodied a powerful set of qualities that would be considered "normal" in today's world but breaking boundaries then. Gerda Wegener, a talented portrait artist refusing her husband's help, struggled to be represented simply because of her gender as a woman. Ironically, her paintings of a mysterious woman that became sensational were modelled after her husband's alter ego- Lili Elbe. Gerda is a straightforward and direct woman who asks Einar out when they meet at university. She's very progressive of her time with a very open mind. However, what started as practicality later turned into a game and unleashed Einar's feminine identity. Einar's pursuit of becoming a woman didn't go so smoothly. First, he was diagnosed as schizophrenic in Denmark, beaten up in Paris by two men because he looked too feminine. Next, he underwent risky surgeries that led him to become one of the first receivers of the first known male to female sexual reassignment surgery, where he eventually died of complications and cardiac arrest. But, to him, completing the surgery was "his only hope to become a woman", as he wished to marry a man and have children someday.

BECOMING A WOMAN French writer Simone de Beauvoir famously said, "One is not born, but rather, becomes a woman" here, she refers to woman as a construct or an idea, not physical form as an individual or group. In the movie, we clearly see these 2 characters represent all qualities of both women and men - the yin and yang of these two constantly dancing with each other. Women come in many forms, and it's not bound by society and gender rules or physical bodies. Gerda, in many ways, broke all ideology of "how a woman should be", especially during her time. You see her resilience, determination, courage, support and strength for her husband, whose ultimate wish is to become a woman. You also see her vulnerability when pleading for her husband's personality to appear again. Likewise, you see the transition in Einar/Lili from being reluctant to put on women's clothes to embracing it fully, her joy

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OPHELIA WU FASHION CONSULTANT & JOURNALIST L i ke he r hometow n Hong Kong, Ophelia has a diverse background and upbringing. She moved to Copenhagen in 2019 after 10 years of living in London. Her fashion and journalism career began in 2007 of going through the operation to "become a woman". His physical body was his only limiting boundary, but his mind never was one. His story continues to inspire many going through the same struggle. They are the perfect representation of gender fluidity dissolving social pressure.

at ELLE Hong Kong magazine,

THE COMPLEXITY OF GENDER FLUIDITY

celebrities globally.

Whether it's these two painters' life back then, or in modern days, we all juggle between a few places and with each role comes with a set of expectations, and it's more complex than binary form-class, social status, culture, family background, religion all comes into play. So, for example, Queen Anne being rumoured as a lesbian vs a homosexual man from a working-class family in the same era and society, who would be in trouble if exposed? 1911 was a very different world from today, and yes, there are still many fundamental things we assume would be allowed to women but aren't. We truly need to celebrate the liberation of our minds and the spirits, not female body positivity or any bandwagon the society is trying to form on a face level. Those are just the very first baby steps of many to come. Society, especially a patriarchal one, has placed a lot of heavily gendered terms, rules, and expectations on women and men. We are not going to dive into any of the deep gender discussions or any social movements as of late because gender studies are a whole lot more complex than a few "politically correct" pronouns. It is, in my opinion, a never-ending discussion that will continue to evolve as society goes through waves of collective consciousness. Let's celebrate the value, courage, resilience, and flexibility. Be true to yourself and set your mind free, just celebrate YOU, be the person you want to be, woman or man, does it even matter? THE-INTL

and later on as an online stylist at Net-A-Porter.com in the UK; she has worked with all sorts of creatives, brands and She now works on everything fashion and communicationrelated. With her love of travelling and places her work brought her to, people she met from all walks of life inspired her to start her own business M for Minimal: a place to raise the awareness of going back to basics through conscious consumption and mindfulness with a touch of spirituality - something she has been practising since her teenage years. @mforminimal.com @mforminimal.mfm @opheliawu

THE JEWEL OF THE

MEAT INDUSTRY DANISH CROWN - FROM FARM TO FORK

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TEXT MARIANO ANTHONY DAVIES

DANISH CROWN HAS its roots in the agricultural cooperative movement of 1887 that paved the way for Denmark as a leading light in the livestock sector and has become a global leader in the sustainable production of meat with ambitions of achieving zero carbon dioxide in its production by 2050. With production units today in Denmark, the United Kingdom, several European countries, and China - the Danish Crown Group has become one of Europe’s and the world’s leading exporters of pork and beef at an extremely high standard. The company group as we know it today is the result of many mergers and historically is a good example of the success of the Danish agricultural cooperative model that has made Denmark an example for others to copy in the agricultural sector. This specific business model evolved out of the opportunities of the industrial revolution but has its roots deep in the DNA of their Viking merchant ancestors. HISTORY It all started in 1887 when 500 Danish farmers decided that forming a cooperative and working together would have more advantages than competing individually. The economy of scale alone would give them a level of sustainability that was impossible to achieve on a small farm and the collective benefits of individual farm innovation. This has proven to have been a correct strategy that penetrated every aspect of Danish agriculture and soon made Danish agriculture very competitive. Danish Crown is determined to examine the entire value chain “from farm to fork” and contribute positively to the UN Sustainability Goals and address the challenges they bring to the farming industry. They admit not to having all the answers yet, but their ambition is to meet the UN’s Sustainability Goals by 2050.

DIVERSITY This is one of a few large-scale inclusive workplaces in Denmark with room for everyone and where diversity is deeply rooted in their business. As a result, they are one of the last sectors that create jobs for unskilled employees and can offer jobs to people at the fringe of the labour market. For this reason, people’s pasts are not important to them. They welcome refugees, people living on benefits, war vet-

MARIANO ANTHONY DAVIES PRESIDENT & CEO OXFORD BUSINESS SERVICES APS ONE OF THE LAST SECTORS THAT CREATE JOBS FOR UNSKILLED EMPLOYEES AND CAN OFFER JOBS TO PEOPLE AT THE FRINGE OF THE LABOUR MARKETS.

Mariano has over 40 years global experience as a bus ness executive. He spent ten

erans, people who have a criminal past or those who have simply found it difficult to get a job before. The most important thing to us is that people are motivated, determined and ready to start. They create a win-win by helping people refine their skills and find satisfaction in doing a good day’s work together with friendly colleagues, who also benefit from their structured safety standards.

ANIMAL WELFARE Among the 150 biggest food producers, a global survey on animal welfare recognised Danish Crown as the twelfth best for animal welfare leadership. The good quality of their products starts on the farm and at the slaughterhouse. Care and respect for animals and nature are crucial for producing high-quality products and creating customer value within a sustainable business model. Danish Crown expects its farmers to comply with all relevant European and national legislation, and their Code of Conduct requires that all animals are treated humanely, their needs are met and the globally recognised Five Freedoms (as defined by the Farm Animal Welfare Council) are respected. Consequently, when it comes to pork (their main production), they can track the meat to the daily production. Moreover, they always know which group of farms delivered the pigs for slaughter on a par-

ticular day, and therefore, they can trace any pork to the farm-group level. Danish Crown seeks to support and deliver continuous improvement across its supply chains and invests in various research projects to drive performance. This reflects their leading position in each of their home markets and can be seen as Danish Crown and its subsidiaries are also actively involved in helping to drive industry improvements in animal welfare. This over 130-year global group has approximately 26.000 employees, slaughtered nearly 19 million pigs in Denmark alone in 2021 and in this same period attained a global revenue of over DKK 18 trillion. THE-INTL

years with KPMG, so far thirty years with British Chambers of Commerce (while also running Oxford Business Services ApS). He is a British citizen, who grew up in Kent, went to boarding school in Sussex and has a British university education. He has been married to a Dane for over 45 years and has held over 150 official anti-Brexit speeches since 2016. He both speaks and writes Danish without difficulty. oxford-business.com

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BEING RESPONSIBLE

FOR YOUR PET'S REPRODUCTION PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH.COM

TEXT TAREK ABU SHAM

AS RESPONSIBLE PET owners, we should take the time to better understand the process of reproduction and how it can affect the health of our pets. Therefore, before deciding to breed or sterilize your pets, we recommend that you consult with your veterinarian for more information specific to your animal. Cats and dogs have different menstrual cycles than their human counterparts. They can cycle several times during their breeding season, and until they are bred, they won't release an egg. Each "heat" lasts on average 6 days, and if not bred, they will go out of it for a short time. An entire cycle could last on average from 3-6 weeks. When your cat is in heat, it's usually pretty noticeable. They tend to be more talkative and in your face. They may even consistently demand your attention and rub themselves against you or other objects. Cats will often roll around on the ground and arch their back and hindquarters. Menstrual blood is not commonly seen, as it would be with canines. Female cats may start to spray objects or increase the frequency of urination. Once successfully bred, the cat will go out of heat. Dogs are a bit different. Smaller breeds could go into heat around 4 months old, but generally, it isn't until around 6 months old for most dogs. Each cycle lasts about 2-4 weeks and happens about 2-4 times a year. Physical signs are more noticeable in dogs, with less obvious behavioural signs than cats. Their vulva will enlarge and, depending on the animal, may or may not be as obvious. During their cycle, they will have some amount of bleeding. This can vary between dogs, some of which may go unnoticed. During estrus, your pet can get pregnant. If you have an intact male in your home or close by, it's best to keep them separated. The two animals will often "tie" together during mating and stand butt to butt. They may be stuck together for 5-45 minutes, with an average of 20-40. It is not recommended to interfere even if you didn't anticipate breeding during this time, as it may hurt the animals. After a short while, they will separate independently without fuss, and you can address the accidental breeding then.

GESTATION Gestation in both species lasts about 9 weeks (63 days), with cats sometimes taking a little longer. During this time, your pet's caloric needs will increase and often, they are transitioned onto kitten or puppy food to provide more nutrition. Most will continue on this until the babies are weaned. Extra supplementation with calcium or commercially available vitamins is not recommended unless recommended by your vet. At any time, if you find your pet pregnant, whether planned or not, it's best to seek out their advice. Before your pet gives birth, we recommend checking with your veterinarian. At 45 days or later, fetal skeletons are visible on radiographs (x-rays). Therefore, having a count before birth is vital. For example, if you expect 5 puppies and only get 3, you know

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TAREK ABU SHAM CEO & FOUNDER OF MYPETERINARIAN

WHEN YOUR CAT IS IN HEAT, IT'S USUALLY PRETTY NOTICEABLE. THEY TEND TO BE MORE TALKATIVE AND IN YOUR FACE. there is a problem. This is also a good way to check the size of fetal heads compared to the pelvis to make sure they can fit when the day comes.

PREGNANCY PREVENTION The most definitive solution is to spay or neuter your pets. A spay removes the uterus and ovaries (or just the uterus), which will prevent pregnancy, vaginal bleeding, and estrus. Neutering male involves removing their testes. If you find yourself in a situation where you have an unwanted mating or pregnancy, there are a few options. Sterilization during pregnancy is possible but is more difficult because of the enlarged uterus and vessels. In some countries, the "mismate" shot may be available through your veterinarian just after breeding to try and prevent pregnancy. However, prevention with sterilization is a safer, more practical, and more definitive option. Sterilization has health benefits as well for your pet. So whether you are interested in breeding or sterilization for your furry loved one, contact us today for an in-home consultation for more information. THE-INTL

Tarek was born in Amman, Jordan and from an early age has had a love for animals. He met his spouse in Amman and then soon embarked on an expat lifestyle that took him to Dubai, Prague, and now Copenhagen. Originally a veterinarian, Tarek reinvented himself professionally and decided to launch his own company. W it h M Y P E T E R I NA R I A N , Tarek has combined his veterinary experience with his entrepreneurial spirit. MyPeterinarian cares for pets in the Copenhagen area, offering pet sitting, walking, veterinary services and more to come soon. www.mypeterinarian.com

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