The International - April 2022

international

the

ISSN 2596-5220

SALMON AND LEEK PASTRIES

SUSTAINABLE DANES

CHOOSING A HØJSKOLE

THE PRICE OF FREEDOM

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LASSE SHARES HIS LOVE FOR

NORTH DENMARK WITH INTERNATIONALS

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EMBRACING SUSTAINABILITY THIS SPRING...

TODAY, WE LIVE IN A CHANGING WORLD - WHERE OUR ENVIRONMENT IS TAKING A BEATING. IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE CHOICES TO ADOPT A MORE SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLE - ONE THAT WORKS FOR BOTH OURSELVES AND THE WORLD.

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

B

BUT HOW CAN you lead a cleaner lifestyle? Is sustainable living as tricky as it sounds? And above all - what does it mean to live more sustainably? So as we celebrate Earth Day on Friday, 22nd April and the arrival of warmer weather in Denmark, let's investigate how we can make a difference.

SO WHAT DOES SUSTAINABILITY MEAN? Today, sustainable living means being careful of our everyday actions, being aware that some resources are not infinite, and we need to protect what we have left of the earth. The support for this type of living is growing, with many people and organisations committing themselves to more sustainable living. For example, the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs created the Sustainable Development Goals: 17 goals that list problems where considerable work is needed, according to all United Nations member states, to find solutions. Also known as the "SDGs," these 17 goals deal with several topics, ranging from issues of warfare to achieving gender equality and the need to reduce pollution.

So, how are my actions affecting the future? Am I creating irreparable damage that future generations will have to deal with? What can I do to change things around me?" These are all questions that you might ask yourself.

All over the world, sustainable living is being embraced by people and corporations. Sustainable living means building more movements for change, using less energy, creating less waste, travelling more consciously, changing our shopping habits and holding corporations and governments accountable.

BUT WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT? If you had known me before I moved to Denmark, talk of sustainability would never have crossed my lips. I'd only just come to terms with separating my trash over the last few years – but now I'm seeing why it's essential for everyone to get involved, and there are several reasons why it is beneficial for everyone. Sustainable living will protect our environment, improve our living conditions and ensure the availability of natural resources for future generations.

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Ophelia Wu; Sarah Redohl; Mariano Davies; Skyler Bentley Hall; 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

PROTECTING OUR FUTURE GENERATION

Events Coordinator

One important reason for choosing a sustainable lifestyle is that we need to save the resources we have for the future generation. This concerns energy and food resources and clean water and air. We have to make this ethical choice. Will we sustain our current lifestyle at the expense of our children and grandchildren? If we don't embrace a more sustainable lifestyle, we risk making life harder for them – or even losing our future on this planet entirely.

Anna Charlotte Kanst - anna@the-intl.com

BUILDING ON A HEALTHY HABITAT Sustainable living also means reducing our pollution to ensure clean water and air for animals and plants co-living on this planet with us. Our home planet is becoming fragile through the growing number of natural disasters - we must protect and sustain it. The ecosystem is so precarious that if we overfish or pollute too much in one place, we risk damaging the whole food chain of that area and losing many species.

SOCIAL CHANGE Sustainable living is not only an individual choice - the entire world benefits when we take action to live more cleanly. You can start small and continuously educate yourself to create more long-term adjustments to live a more conscious, green life.

Others around you will notice your changes and may be curious about your choices and ask questions. The more you educate others, the more you can inspire people to do the same. Tell them about the minor changes you started with, which they could quickly adapt to their own life. Tell them about the environmentally friendly products you have tried and which ones you liked and didn't.

Always be honest about your experience and share your knowledge. This will only make it easier for them to adopt these changes. In addition, any small change can inspire others to do the same. Use social media for positivity plant a seed of thought on Earth Day by sharing with others. Mother Earth will thank you!

Love,

LYNDSAY JENSEN - EDITOR & FOUNDER THE-INTL.COM

COVER PICTURE Alex Flutur - www.instagram.com/creative.flutur

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

SoMe Ambassadors Neelam Gahlaut; Michaela Medvedova; Aina Masood; Katie Noyed; Ane-Sophie Custura; Terumi Mascarenhas; Manon Coolen; Leslie Noygues; Shelly Pandey; 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 April, 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

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THE FEEL-GOOD STORIES OF DENMARK MAKING SCIENCE TASTE BETTER When you go out to a pub with a group of friends, loads of topics are discussed, but when was the last time you chatted about cyborgs or black holes?

So, where is this magical place, you ask?

If you visit Science and Beers at Studenterhus Odense, you can enjoy a series of lectures where scientific speakers talk about topics ranging from fat cells and drones to climate change and alcohol effects on the liver - while the audience enjoys a beer or two. What’s not to love?

Michael Magee, a marine biologist by education who now works at Ungdomshuset Odense to inspire interest in science amongst young people, started the series in autumn 2018. It kicked off with a talk from the curator of TEDxOdense, Adam Montandon, about how he created the first government-recognised cyborg. He drew in a crowd of 50. “People

PIC COURTESY OF SCIENCE AND BEERS

MICHAELA MEDVEĎOVÁ

willingly skipped their last class at the university to come. But they still went to an educational talk.”

“We didn’t have space for them. If people are angry because they can’t get into a science talk, you’ve done well.”

The purpose of Science and Beers is to make science accessible and normalise talking about science in a social setting, such as over a few beers with your friends. A successful mis-

sion - 200 people wanted to attend the events during the second season. “We didn’t have space for them. If people are angry because they can’t get into a science talk, you’ve done well. It should be as exciting to come to a science talk as a rock concert.”

Mick selects his scientific speakers because they are good communicators. The project recently received 250 thousand DKK from Novo Nordisk, which means Mick can attract scientists from all over Denmark or abroad. Having kicked off in March, this year should bring two seasons of Science and Beers.

The speakers are excited about the beer - but mainly about the audience’s questions. The talks are open to everyone - there’s no need to have any scientific knowledge. “Since I finished university, I missed going to lectures. I’m sure others miss it, too - and they should have access to the latest science. So I’d encourage more people to start science communication projects. The more accessible science is with projects like Science and Beers, the more trust there is in science.” THE-INTL

NIKOLAOS PAPADOPOULOS

FOOD WASTE Meet Matt Homewood, the urban harvester and food waste campaigner trying to change the world, one dumpster at a time.

Spring is a time of renewal. It is time to change the way we think about food waste. Matt's enthusiasm is evident from the moment the interview starts; he is a person who genuinely believes in his cause. He felt close to nature from a very young age and later studied it. He actively fights to protect it by exposing supermarkets' "dirty secret" food waste. With hundreds of millions of people worldwide facing food poverty, wasting trillions of tons of perfectly edible food each year does not seem right.

He calls himself an urban harvester because he raises awareness by showcasing the staggering amount of wasted food recovered through dumpsterdiving in supermarket dumpsters. "We as consumers never agreed to it", he says, referring to how supermarkets manage food waste. "But why do they do it?". "Simply put - it's profitable for them," says Matt. The cost of disposing of food via incineration has already been factored into their business models, so they are taking a loss if they sell the food at a discount. Additionally, they always buy more food than what is actually needed, and it is cheaper to dispose of it than not cover 100% of the demand.

"Of course, households waste enormous amounts of food," he says, "but my focus is on stores because of the sheer amount of waste and the prof-

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.

it involved". Additionally, he is tired of blame and responsibility being put on the consumer while firms feign ignorance and greenwash themselves by adopting "sustainable" initiatives and still not addressing the problem.

While he currently campaigns in Denmark, he calls supermarket food waste a "Western Epidemic". Now he partners with Norwegian company Throw No More. They are working on an app that aggregates discounted products in stores so that the consumers can have better real-time access to that information. Currently, they partner with 550 stores across Norway. We hope that Matt inspires many more people to join him, and not only in Scandinavia!

THE-INTL For more info about Matt, visit www.matthomewood.com

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!

CLEANING UP FOR THE PLANET! KATHARINE H NOYED

On April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day was held in the United States, marking the birth of the modern environmental movement. Millions of Americans got involved, participating in marches, rallies, and educational events across the country, all united under the mission of bringing environmental concerns to the forefront of political discussions. Fifty-two years later, the original mission of Earth Day continues to hold firm. Yet, the organisation has expanded its efforts, seeking to engage as many as 1 billion people and governments, entrepreneurs, and businesses in efforts to better protect and preserve our planet year-round.

This year’s Earth Day theme is: “Invest in Our Planet”. Although corporations account for as much as 71 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions affecting our planet today, this doesn’t mean we should give up. Instead, we should feel empowered to demand change and do better both collectively and individually. In the words of the official Earth Day organisation: As individuals, we have the simple yet effective power to make our voices heard through our choices, civic actions, and personal interactions. What each of us does and how we do it has a huge ripple effect on our ecosystems and the pace of corporate and government action.

How about organising your own cleanup?  Define a purpose and designate an area you want to clean up.  Gather a team and set a cleanup date/ time. Then, closer to the date, check the weather and dress appropriately. Wear something you don’t mind getting dirty!  Gather supplies including trash grabbers, bags, gloves, hand sanitiser, first aid kit, and a location to dispose of your waste.  Find a location to dispose of all the waste you will clean up! Then, sort the waste into trash, recyclables, and hazardous waste.  Take pictures during your clean up and post them on social media with the hashtag #GreatGlobalCleanup, #TrashTag, or #Plogging. 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.

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

AALBORG

AALBORG

VISIT DENMARK - DANIEL_RASMUSSEN

SONG NIGHT EASTER

NORDIC DANCE AALBORG

ZEALAND

5 APRIL

6 APRIL

NORDIC DANCE AT STUDENTERHUSET

SONG NIGHT: EASTER St. Mark's Church is beautifully situated in Aalborg by the lake and the beautiful trees around it. Inside the church, you can enjoy the sight of Bertel Thorvaldsen's beautiful marble figures. So come and join the church for a cosy evening in the spirit of music, where you will be singing new and older Easter hymns. Every song night has a theme and a special guest in charge of the song selection in the first part of the evening. After this, there is a coffee break, after which the attendees are allowed to choose songs freely. As usual, the church organist, Erik Haven, accompanies the songs. The event lasts approximately one and a half hours. It is free to attend, and registration is not required. The singing evenings are for everyone who wants to sing!

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.]

FUNEN

WHERE: STUDENTERHUSET, GAMMELTORV 10, AALBORG TIME: 19:00-22:00 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/1VM30VCER

VISIT DENMARK - PETER KIRKEGAARD

WHERE: SANKT MARKUS KIRKE, TEGLVÆRKSALLE 17, AALBORG TIME: 19:30 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/1O1O1XOTV

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UNSPLASH

UNSPLASH

VISIT DENMARK - GITTE LINDEBORG_FLYING OCTOBER

JUTLAND

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RINGSTED BIBLIOTEK

RINGSTED

6 APRIL BOARDGAME NIGHT Play board games at the library! If you are new to board games, stop by the board game night at the library. It is a local space for board game players at all levels where you can meet new players or learn the rules of new board games. Bring your own games or try one from the library's collection. Everyone is welcome. It costs nothing to join, and there is no registration; however, as board game nights take place in the open library, you must be registered as a user of the library to be able to enter. There is board game night every first Wednesday of the month.

WHERE: RINGSTED BIBLIOTEK, TVÆRALLE 1-3, RINGSTED TIME: 19:00-21:00 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/2ARQOXZYD

A focus on learning

AALBORG

AEROTRIB

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)

8 APRIL 80'S PARTY

www.nis-ngg.dk Cirkelhuset, Christianshusvej 16

Café Frederiksberg is hosting Aalborg’s biggest 80’s party! There will be live music performed by the Aerosmith copy band, Aerotrip, music by DJ Hurup, and, if you feel brave enough, a round of karaoke! There is also a prize for the best 80's outfit, so get digging in the darkest corners of the closet! The café is a local privately owned venue, usually packed on Thursdays and Fridays, where they host jams and concerts every week. In addition, the café offers very reasonable bar prices and perhaps one of the city's best live music atmospheres. The entry price is DKK 100 and DKK 199 with dinner.

WHERE: HADSUNDVEJ 1B, AALBORG TIME: 20:00 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/1LXPOQCJH

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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UNSPLASH

SKIBBY

GALLERY SVANESKOV

AARHUS

TØNNINGSGÅRD

HERNING

8 APRIL

9 APRIL

9 APRIL

PLAY CHESS AT DOKK1 - FOR NEWBIES AND EXPERIENCED

OUTPUT WINTER CONCERTS

DECORATE YOUR OWN GLASS EASTER EGG

OUTPUT Winter Concerts are a series of music events held during winter that showcase many cool artists for you to discover whilst enjoying a hot cup of cocoa or a cold beer. The concerts are hosted by the Youth Culture House, a community and a cultural platform that accommodates those who want to accommodate others! They aim to provide a space where you can become wiser about yourself and cultivate your abilities and be part of a community across culture, gender, art, and experience. You decide for yourself whether you just come in to drink a cup of coffee or whether you want to be a co-creator of deciding what the house should accommodate.

Are you a beginner and would like to learn to play chess?

Or are you an expert and would like to play against others? Then, come and play chess on the balcony at Dokk1 – it is both for beginners and experts! There is a weekly meeting every Friday from 10:00-12:00, so you can keep your skills up to date; everyone is welcome! Dokk1 strives to be a flexible and dynamic sanctuary for everyone who wants knowledge, inspiration, and personal growth and provide an open and accessible learning environment that promotes democracy and community.

WHERE: GULLESTRUP KULTURHUS, TRÆLUNDVEJ 3, HERNING TIME: 14:00-16:00 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://BIT.LY/36MRMOA

WHERE: UNGDOMSKULTURHUSET, TAGE-HANSENS GADE 88, AARHUS TIME: 16:00 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/1MMLZMNDU

BILLUND

KREA FAIR At the KREA fair, you can experience a unique world of creative exhibitors within arts and crafts and materials.

Here, you can, e.g. find unique jewellery, bags, knitwear, yarn, crochet, paper art, glass art, paintings, lathes, brush binders, prints and posters, pottery, hobby items, diamond painting, etc. more. In addition, there are the popular KREA tables for children and childish souls, where all materials are made available free of charge; let your imagination run wild and have some fun creative hours together! You are welcome to bring home anything you create at the tables. You can also win prizes on your entrance ticket all day. The entry ticket is DKK 40; children go for free.

WHERE: BILLUND IDRÆTSCENTER, KÆRVEJ 501, BILLUND TIME: 10:00-16:00 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/4JOZEUBPQ

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WHERE: GALLERY SVANESKOV, SKIBBYVEJ 37, SKIBBY TIME: 10:00-11:30 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/1FGYIGHMH

9 APRIL DISNEY YOGA Can't get enough of Disney? Would you like to experience some of the best stories with your whole body? This event is for the children and youngsters who want to experience this unique combination of favourite Disney tales and exercise. Come participate while moving through a selection of Disney classics with yoga exercises. Children's librarian Cathrine reads aloud from two Disney classics, namely Peter Pan and Vaiana, and library assistant Dhuha spices up the stories with yoga exercises for children aged 7-10 years. Participation is free. It will be a fun and different way to listen to literature! Namaste.

WHERE: RUDERSDAL BIBLIOTEKERNE, STATIONSVEJ 38, BIRKERØD TIME: 10:00-11:00 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://RUDBIB.DK/ARRANGEMENTER/ BOERN-OG-UNGE/DISNEY-YOGA

COPENHAGEN

PICK

UP SPOT

!

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

ART ESCAPE STUDIO & CAFE

BIRKERØD

DISNEY YOGA

KREA FAIR

9 APRIL

Besides form making and selling glass art and other fun fiddlings, the gallery Svaneskov hosts courses and workshops so you can try to work with glass art. In addition, you can decorate your own glass easter egg in April, starting at only DKK 25 per piece. The easter eggs, which either hang or stand, must be burned afterwards and can be picked up by appointment. Making a small bowl as an Easter egg will also be possible. Unfortunately, there is only room for 16 people seated, so you must reserve a seat in advance for all those coming with you.

9 APRIL WORKSHOP: INDIAN ARTIST JAMINI ROY This workshop will bring the essence on Indian art into your home. Let Swapnil pass on her knowledge and love of Indian painting and come recreate this painting by Indian old master artist from Bengal school Jamini roy- Bride and Two Companions. This beautiful artwork has earthy tones, motifs & rhythmic line work. You will recreate this artwork in gouache paint on paper, learning all the small details to understand the artwork & artist's technique like mixing color tones, detailing and line work.

WHERE: ART ESCAPE STUDIO & CAFE, BLEGDAMSVEJ 68, 2100, KØBENHAVN FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/2JRAEZI6H

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FREDERIKSHAVN

STORVORDE

DET KONGELIGE BIBLIOTEK

CINEMATEKET

MUSEUM SOGNEFOGEDGÅRDEN

COPENHAGEN

10 APRIL

14 APRIL

17 APRIL

DANISH ON A SUNDAY: PELLE THE CONQUEROR

EASTER AT THE MUSEUM SOGNEFOGEDGÅRDEN

EASTER FUN

Watch the classic Danish Pelle The Conqueror, Pelle Erobreren, from 1987 by instructor Bille August with English subtitles when Cinemateket hosts "Danish on a Sunday", a chance for you to get acquainted with some Danish culture. The film is an adaption of the first part of famous Danish author Martin Andersen Nexø's social-realistic classic. The middle-aged widower Lasse arrives with his young son Pelle from Sweden in Bornholm and gets a job on a large farm. This is the starting point depicting farmworkers' poor and harsh conditions in the late 19th century. The cast includes Pelle Hvenegaard, Max von Sydow, Erik Paaske, and Björn Granath. For children over 11 years.

On Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday, Sognefogedgården, a regional museum run solely by voluntary force, is open for a unique Easter experience. There will be the opportunity for guided tours, painting and rolling eggs, and participating in an egg treasure hunt, where you can win a small Easter egg. There will also be a small exhibition about the traditions of Easter. Sognefogedgården is an old Danish farm, tracing back to 1713, and is the only place where you can authentically experience how the old people of Frederikshavn lived; it stands as a farm from the 20th century, with all its furnishings.

Almost every day, the chickens and ducks roam freely in the yard, and you can also give the horses a carrot. Admission is DKK 40, including a free cup of coffee; under 18's are free.

WHERE: VILDMOSEVEJ 100, STORVORDE TIME: 10:30-12:00 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://BIT.LY/36ELUAA

UNSPLASH

WHERE: SOGNEFOGEDGÅRDEN, MELLERGÅRDSVEJ 3, FREDERIKSHAVN TIME: 12:00-16:00 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/59UERFFL7

UNSPLASH

UNSPLASH

WHERE: CINEMATEKET, GOTHERSGADE 55, KØBENHAVN TIME: 14:15 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://BIT.LY/3LTWEPX

What does it look like while a chicken is developing in an egg? And how far can you throw an egg without it breaking? Join us for Easter at Lille Vildmose and experience fun egg activities with the centre's nature communicator.

Little Vildmose is an actual Danish wilderness with magnificent and unspoilt nature and a unique wildlife area that spans 7,600 hectares. A wealth of nature that many do not know exists in Denmark. The campfire is lit, and you can buy sausages and bread for a barbecue lunch over the fire. The activity is included in the entrance ticket to Lille Vildmosecentret and their cinema, exhibition, wild boar, nature playground, bouncy castle and eagle simulator. At Lille Vildmosecentret, it should be fun to get smarter, and they promise that they are providing wild experiences for both big and small nature nerds.

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APRIL 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

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AARHUS

COPENHAGEN

SOLVANG LIBRARY

ET MÅLTID OM DAGEN

WORKSHOP NEGOTIATIONS SKILLS

AALBORG

20 APRIL

21 APRIL

23 APRIL

A MEAL IN THE SHADOWS OF THE CITY

NEGOTIATION SKILLS

MUSICAL CREA-FUN

The goal of this workshop is to make you a more successful negotiator. This will help you get better deals or develop your business smoother and more efficiently. At the workshop, you negotiate the conditions for angel investment, either from the perspective of the business angel or that of the founder. Building on this, the workshop discusses the principled negotiation approach of the Harvard method, which supports the collective realization of win-win potentials and the development of trusting relationships. You will gain practical and valuable negotiation guidelines, the opportunity to practice and develop your negotiation skills, and insights about risk financing negotiations.

Experience a fun-filled children's workshop with visual artist Maria Lau Krogh and musician Kim Jezus! Together, you will sing, play, and build your own rubber instruments; and you will bring your instruments back home afterwards for more playtime. The event is for all children and their parents and is hosted by Liv i Sundby's culture association collaborating with Solvang Library. The association creates events for all ages (and has been since 1999) such as children's theatre, music, lectures, guided tours and more. The event is free, but registration is required.

Are you curious about what happens in the city's shadows and what life looks like from the streets of Aalborg?

Do you want to know more about how you can ease the burden for the city's vulnerable and homeless? And would you like to experience the difference a good meal makes on your own body? Cafe Parasollen and Et Måltid om Dagen invite you to a thoughtful evening in good company.

First, you will taste the food usually served at the social cafe, and then you will go for a walk in Aalborg's backyards that are guaranteed to give you some perspective on life.

Finally, a former homeless person guides you around the shadows of Aalborg and tells their personal story filled with defeat, abuse, violence, failure and everything else that you can't see on the outside. The evening aims to create a good experience for the participants, create more awareness of the city's vulnerable and homeless people, and create a dialogue about how we can jointly help solve their problems. The price for the event is DKK 150, which includes drinks. The profit of the evening goes directly to Cafe Parasollen and Et Måltid om Dagen.

WHERE: THE KITCHEN, UNIVERSITETSBYEN 14, AARHUS TIME: 13:00-16:00 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/2JEQWWZWM

ODENSE

KARMAFEST

WHERE: BOULEVARDEN 19, AALBORG TIME: 17:30-20:00 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/3CXBSYWVP

WHERE: DYVEKESKOLEN, URMAGERSTIEN 3, KØBENHAVN TIME: 11:00-13:00 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://BIT.LY/36IOLLC

KARMAFEST

UNSPLASH

22 APRIL

UNSPLASH

WHERE: KULTURMASKINEN, FARVERGÅRDEN 7, ODENSE TIME: 20:00 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://BIT.LY/3L6WM78

APRIL 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

UNSPLASH

The Karma Club arranges parties for dance-loving people that start early - and end early. So come alone, with your girlfriend, colleagues, or friends – wear a shirt or ostrich skirt, jeans or jacket, t-shirt or fine clothes - in the Karma Club, it is all about having fun, being sweaty, and having a fun party! The Karma Club's focus is dance joy, but they also have plenty of space for those who stand in the bar, drink drinks, and tilt their toes a little. The purpose of the Karma Club is to create the framework for a good evening where you can get your batteries charged, make a festive evening for everyone in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, and make parties that start early, so you can both party through the night and be fresh the next day. The ticket price is DKK 120.

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SKØRPING

AARHUS

COPENHAGEN

PICK

UP SPOT

!

ART ESCAPE STUDIO & CAFE

KAPSEJLADSEN

BADGER SAFARI

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

26 APRIL

29 APRIL

30 APRIL

BADGER SAFARI

KAPSEJLADSEN 2022 THE FIGHT FOR THE GOLDEN CHAMPIONSHIP BELT

INDIAN FOLK ART, PICHWAI PAINTING WORKSHOP

You now have the wonderful opportunity to participate in a guided hike into the hilly terrain of Rise forest to go on a Badger Safari! On a previous Badger Safari trip, the group was entertained by a badger family of four for one and a half hours. On this trip, you have the opportunity to see for yourself how the badger family at dusk prepares for the night's expeditions. You observe the badger's nest from safe observation points and see what they are doing: scratching for lice, fleas and ticks, cleaning the nest, or listening to the outside world. Badgers are very rare in Denmark, and it's not often that you get a chance to get up close and personal with these little black and white guys! The safari costs DKK 149.

Indian folk Art, Pichwai Painting Workshop with Artist Swapnil Gutpa Pichwai painting is an intricate Indian folk art form that is really satisfying to paint. These paintings are not only beautiful but also a lot to learn from a different technique.

We will paint this artwork in gouache paint on paper, learning to blend and soften the subjects and motifs. We will finish it by adding fine details to the work which is the essence of these miniature paintings.

All the materials are included in the ticket price. You will have to pay only for the frame to frame this artwork. 450 DKK per session. 3.5 hours.

The famous and traditional yearly sailing race is back; the most prominent student event in Northern Europe since 1991! This beer race event is for all students of Aarhus and takes place in the University Park, a centre for hundreds of disciplines and thousands of students. Fourteen different party associations and bar committees from different higher educations participate, each with 5 brave sailors. The sailors must row across the lake, drink a beer, spin around the bottle 10 times, row back, and pass on the relay. The winners take home the golden championship belt, first introduced in 1992. The race features visits from the Mayor and University principal. Food stalls, bars, big screens, and live music kick off in the early morning and end when the last boat reaches the shore. It is a guaranteed fun day out!

WHERE: RISE FOREST, RISEVEJ 3, SKØRPING TIME: 20:00 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/4K9LUGALM

COPENHAGEN

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

COPENHAGEN

PICK

UP SPOT

!

GRAB A FREE COPY OF PRINTED TH PAPER AT E SOCIAL BR EW

UKIRKE

SOCIAL BREW

WHERE: UNIVERSITY PARK, AARHUS TIME: 06:00-18:00 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/1QCGN51VZ

EVERY FRIDAY

FOOD AND MUSIC

FRIDAY AFTER WORK

uKirke is hosting this cosy event of food & music! It has sofas, a bar and communal dining. uKirke is an untraditional youth church with many unpredictable, wonderful and informal events. The event starts at 18:00 with dining, after which two bands spice up the evening! It costs DKK 25 to join the dinner, but the rest of the evening is free and open to everyone. Beers and sodas can be purchased for just DKK 15. The music is still to be announced.

Social Brew is a local kaffe bar and kitchen in the heart of Vesterport. We are introducing the Friday After Work for all the businesses around us and beyond.

Join and meet like minded people who also work in the neighbourhood and expand your network.

Serving: Coffee, beer, wine and healthy bites.

WHERE: UKIRKE, DANNEBROGSGADE 53, KØBENHAVN TIME: 18:00 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/1HORPF7SK

KAPSEJLADSEN

28 APRIL

WHERE: SOCIAL BREW, VESTER FARIMAGSGADE 3, 1606 KØBENHAVN TIME: 15:00- 18:00 FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SOCIALBREWDK

APRIL 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

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A LOCAL PATRIOT WITH A

GLOBAL MINDSET

LASSE FRIMAND JENSEN CREATES A BETTER GATEWAY FOR INTERNATIONALS INTO NORTH DENMARK BY MIXING HIS LOVE FOR GLOBALISATION AND DIVERSITY AND HIS REGION.

PHOTOGRAPHS ALEX FLUTUR - WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CREATIVE.FLUTUR/

WHEN HE'S EXPLAINING the importance of a smart personal headline during LinkedIn workshops for international job seekers, he can easily use his own as an example.

"A local patriot with a global mindset" certainly rings true about Lasse Frimand Jensen, the Aalborg-based project manager at International House North Denmark and a city council member. But, first and foremost, he sees himself as an international citizen - something not decided by your passport but by your global and diversity-oriented mindset.

HOME IN THE NORTH Lasse's always been attracted to world topics, meeting other nationalities, and travelling - but always loved returning home to North Denmark. "One of the proudest things for me is meeting internationals who have chosen to come here, to Denmark and Aalborg and our region. Of course, they could have picked the entire world as their new hometown. But, instead, them choosing Aalborg always makes me enormously proud."

Despite his dream of working for the United Nations in New York at one point, Lasse prefers to work with globalisation in a local setting because it brings personal connections. "Just now, I ran into a lady I met many times before at International House. We greeted and asked each other about our families and our kids. You wouldn't get this closeness at the United Nations."

At International House North Denmark, with a multi-national team, they are helping internationals or companies with international employees with job seeking, entrepreneurship, and free-time activities. They've come a long way since their beginnings as a small office in the municipality. "I dreamed that we would find a physical house where we could host a good welcome for internationals." So they did, and the House - a gateway for internationals to North Denmark - grew and developed in a more company-oriented way to get more international workers into the region. "The bigger cities around

APRIL 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

TEXT MICHAELA MEDVEĎOVÁ

Denmark have a lot of internationals that the smaller cities don't. So one of our main targets is to make the whole region attractive to internationals and appeal to move to the north of Denmark." The House is also a home for the International Citizen Service, NGOs, or organisations helping startups and entrepreneurs.

They focused on two target groups to match them with local companies: international graduates and accompanying spouses. As a result, their Career Programme can now boast successful numbers - 92% of the graduates have found a job, and so did a significant portion of the spouses.

As someone born and raised in Denmark, though, it could be difficult for Lasse to empathise with the experiences of internationals. But he's been an expat himself.

FRIENDS FOR LIFE Lasse and his wife lived in Uganda in a local village. He was teaching politics and forestry administration - she was teaching psychology. They also set up a children's library and helped researchers from Edinburgh University with a chimpanzee-focused project.

Straightaway, Lasse fell in love with the people of Uganda - the main reason they call the country the Pearl of Africa. "The first day in the village, we met a man who greeted us, invited us for a cup of tea, and walked with us. He told us he was on his way to his nephew's funeral. Despite that, he was still so welcoming, and there were many amazing experiences like that afterwards. The way they approached newcomers was really inspiring."

But he understands that a particular divide between the local and international communities can be found in most countries, Denmark included. "Maybe an international community is something expats feel comfortable in when they come to Denmark. I think some of it is due to our not-finding-a-friend-easily mentality." Lasse - and the International House - realise how important it is to help make bridges between expats and Danes. When they did a survey about Denmark with internationals, the country

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scored number one in the quality of schools or hospitals. "Denmark ranked last when it came to finding a friend. So we made our Expat Host Programme where we hope expats find local friends."

Lasse himself loves bringing internationals into a predominantly Danish setting. With younger groups, there are no issues. Unfortunately, the older generation sometimes thinks they aren't so good at speaking English, even though the opposite is true. But that's the only restraint he sees. "Once you get a Danish friend, they are a friend for life.

They will go through fire for you."

A great way to find new local friends as an expat is through sports - and one thing that can help you break the barrier is even the smallest amount of Danish. When Lasse's international friend wanted to join a handball club but only spoke English to them, he spent the whole training playing on his own. "Next time, he tried a different club, brought a sixpack of beer, and said the first sentence 'Hello mates, I'm here to play' in Danish. They started talking to him in Danish, and he maybe wouldn't understand all of it, but they were playing. And now, he's a very active member of the club."

Having the ability to use a little small talk proved helpful to Lasse when he was in Uganda and spoke the local language for the essential things he needed for music and sports - for example, pass the ball, I'm free. "Music is a global language, and sports is as well.

You don't need to be able to communicate directly with language to do these activities together. But if you know some words in Danish as an international, it will get you so much respect and acceptance. You don't have to speak fluent Danish - but you've tried."

MOVING TOWARDS INNOVATION And in a global world, connecting with people is essential. "The ability to connect with people is much higher when you know the country's language and culture, of the people you want to connect with. We need people with cultural knowledge who speak the language. When we have internationals in Denmark, we have a much bigger potential to grow." For Lasse, working with different nationalities brings so much creativity because they come with different backgrounds and mindsets and will challenge the statusquo ideas. The more challenges, the more development follows - and the better the idea becomes. "That's why I believe that diversity brings creativity, innovation, and growth."

Settling in Denmark does not mean leaving your traditions at the door. "I know many great stories of people celebrating their own culture, proud of their roots. They still respect the fundamental ideas behind Danish society - for me, that's trust and humbleness - and they bring all the good values they have into our society." Lasse can marry people as a city council member and has witnessed first-hand the variety of traditions internationals bring into Denmark. "I married many other internationals, and that's the part I love. A wedding is the most cultural day you can have because there are so many different customs - it's crazy," laughs Lasse.

Not everyone in Denmark sees the presence of internationals as a benefit to the country, though. But according to Lasse, whenever a change happens, or there is a global trend on the rise, there's always a countermovement. "We've seen that with so many things in the history of the world. That's why we see people being sceptical about globalisation

APRIL 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

"I MADE A FIRST-EVER INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN IN ENGLISH AND OTHER LANGUAGES, AND I FOUND AN ENGLISH-SPEAKING INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN TEAM. WE TRIED TO MAKE IT A BILINGUAL ELECTION WITH DEBATES, VIDEOS, OR WEBSITES IN ENGLISH BECAUSE INTERNATIONALS CAN VOTE TOO." and internationals worldwide. But, unfortunately, it's much easier to connect with people's fear than with their rational thinking."

A FOOT SOLDIER TURNED POLITICIAN That didn't stop Lasse from trying to make Aalborg a more internationally-oriented city - both with his work at the International House and his work as a city council member.

He first ran in 2013. "I made a first-ever international campaign in English and other languages, and I found an English-speaking international campaign team. We tried to make it a bilingual election with debates, videos, or websites in English because internationals can vote too."

Coming from a very political family, with his father and grandfather being politicians for many years, didn't give him the push to run for office. "I never thought about being a politician myself. But I was active. I was doing all the background work as a foot soldier - being a campaign manager and the local party's chairman." But with his family, Lasse always talked about Nelson Mandela, one of his biggest role models. Perhaps that inspired his interest in Africa, where he always wanted to visit and work.

His stay in Uganda shaped him, and when he came back home and the mayor approached him with a suggestion of running for city council, he decided to do it. "But it's never been a career for me. I'll always want to have a professional career and not be dependent on politics. We are custodians. We are not politicians for life; we are here for the time that the public thinks you're doing a good job. When the public doesn't think I am, and I am not contributing to my ideas and strategies, I wouldn't be there just for power."

When Lasse was growing up in Aalborg, he wouldn't meet an English-speaking person on the street. Now, you can't walk down the street without hearing English. The number of international workers in North Denmark has almost doubled in about ten years. It's the most significant growth in the country.

Lasse is happy to see the legacy of many other politicians and parties focusing on making the elections more international. Finding the right people to carry the torch is also his most significant accomplishment as a manager of the International House.

A PASSION FOR LIFE It's good that Lasse, with his busy schedule as a councilman on top of a full-time job, has his dream team. Managing a busy schedule doesn't bother him yet, though. "Maybe it's because I'm still young - maybe it will change over time. I look forward to going to work every day, and I look forward to political meetings. But, of course, some days are better than others - victory days are better than defeat days." But as long as he thinks he can

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contribute and the ideas he has brought value, he'll continue. He's not an International House team leader only during business hours. It's not work for him it's more like his passion.

But Lasse couldn't speak about his passions without talking about music and playing in a band. Or, in his case, playing in three bands.

Besides being a drummer for his friend at concerts and having a band he plays at political events, he's also in a wedding band. He laughs at the suggestion of being both the officiant and wedding band. He's never done that before. "Actually, I played at my best friend's wedding and married them, but I wouldn't say I was the wedding band," smiles Lasse.

He shares his love of music with his children. When they play together, he saves the drummer seat for his son.

It's not just music that gives Lasse the much-needed reset. "I've only run one marathon, so I'm not that experienced," he laughs when asked about running marathons. "But 5k runs with my children are life-saving for me. My two oldest cycle and I run next to them it gives me so much energy."

Being active is something he tries to imprint on his kids as well - in the summer, they often go camping.

Summers in the UK, Germany, or Italy also ensure the kids have international friends. He would encourage them to try and live abroad but fear them not returning. "It would be difficult, being too far away from my kids. But it's their life. I want them to be tolerant and good to others, no matter who they are. Equality is fundamental to me." THE-INTL

LASSE SHARES HIS LOVE OF MUSIC WITH H I S C H I L D R E N . W H E N T H E Y P L AY TO GETHER, HE SAVES THE DRUMMER SEAT FOR HIS SON.

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14

SPRING IN EASTERN JUTLAND EXPLORING THE LOCAL TOURIST ATTRACTIONS OVER THE EASTER BREAK - COME RAIN OR SHINE!

PHOTOGRAPHS VISIT DENMARK / UNSPLASH

TEXT HEATHER STORGAARD

E

"After the slog of postChristmas winter, the amount of bank holidays in the Danish spring manages to shock me year on year."

EASTERN JUTLAND HAS a highly season-

al tourist season, thanks mainly to the windy, cold Danish winters. The trend is for many attractions, cafes and restaurants to close over the winter, re-opening with the area coming back to life for the Easter holiday break. As everyone in Denmark celebrates the reappearance of the sun and longer days, I feel like those of us living in touristy areas experience a bigger 360 than most.

However, like much of Europe following the pandemic, Denmark has issues with local businesses finding enough employees, threatening the re-opening of some businesses. For example, last year, Aarhus restaurant Vesterlauget took over the running of the food outlets at Skødshoved Badehotel. The food offerings were very popular with locals and visitors alike, but Vesterlauget could not continue at the hotel for the 2022 season due to staffing issues. It seems particularly tragic when local businesses are forced to close despite being successful and healthy, and at the time of writing, Skødshoved Badehotel is still searching for a 2022 partner.

While winter gives a chance for hygge by candlelight, Christmas and unlimited festelavnsboller, the coming of spring and easter traditions signal Danish life moving outdoors. My father-in-law enlists our help to move excessive garden furniture out from the barn to the cliff-top and seems to migrate there for the summer, seeking the most sun and sea hours possible. Swallows join us out there, mainly nesting in the cliffs, barn, carport and any other corner of the farm they can find their way into.

After the slog of post-Christmas winter, the amount of bank holidays in the Danish spring manages to shock me year on year. With five days off at Easter, followed

by Store Bededag (Great Praying Day) and Ascension Day in May, spring is full of time off work for short breaks and days out.

HEATHER STORGAARD WRITER Here are some local-to-me businesses or attractions to visit over your Easter break, with options for sunny or rainy weather: Sletterhage Fyr is a lighthouse, from which you can walk along the coast to the “German Tower”, with a view of the sea, farmland and mud cliffs. You will have sailed past if you have ever taken the Copenhagen to Aarhus ferry. The famous ice cream and pølser (hot dog) stand is back from the first weekend in April to make it a proper day out, although this is one I would only recommend for a sunny day!

Apelgrens Coffee Bar in Ebeltoft is an open all-year-round gem, with speciality coffee and brilliant muffins and pastries. You will almost always run into other internationals who holiday, work or live in the town.

The terrace and small harbour nearby are perfect for walks in the sun, while the co-

HANS HENRIK THOLSTRUP

APRIL 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

sy interior is a great place to hide from the wind and rain.

Ebeltoft Gårdbryggeri doesn’t open its doors until later in the spring, but it is still possible to drop in and buy your beer to-go at the weekends. The beer is organic and ranges from lagers to IPAs and easter-beer, of course!

Lübker Spa is a must for relaxation and luxury and is a great escape for an afternoon or day when family time cooped up in a summer house gets too much. Unaffected by the weather, you can enjoy your own world of relaxation.

Gammel Estrup is one of Denmark’s fairytale evoking castles. While my husband mainly associates it with childhood school trips, the castle is suitable for all ages and has beautiful grounds to walk in. THE-INTL

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

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FOOD ART

SALMON AND LEEK PASTRIES THESE VERSATILE MAKE-AHEAD PASTRIES ARE GREAT SERVED WITH COCKTAILS AND AS LUNCHES ON THE RUN. PHOTOGRAPHS & TEXT: NATASHA LIVIERO / UNSPLASH

SALMON AND LEEK PASTRIES MAKES APPROXIMATELY 20 PASTRIES

INGREDIENTS: 20g salted butter 190g leeks, washed and chopped (white and light green parts only) 150g crème fraîche 90g baby spinach, chopped 200g smoked salmon, chopped 140g Gruyère, grated salt and pepper 800g puff pastry flour for dusting 1 egg, beaten

METHOD: #1 #2

Preheat the oven to 200°C and prepare baking trays.

Melt butter in a pan and add the leeks, frying until soft and slightly translucent. #3 Take the pan off the heat and add the crème fraîche, spinach, salmon and Gruyère. #4 Mix well and season to taste. (You may not need salt as the smoked salmon will be salty.) #5 Roll puff pastry on a lightly floured surface to 3mm thick and cut into 8cm x 8cm squares. #6 Brush all the edges with egg wash. #7 Place about 18g filling onto the centre of each square and then spread it out slightly. #8 Fold the pastry squares to form triangles, gently press the edges together and then press down with a fork to secure. #9 Place pastries onto baking trays and brush lightly with egg wash, followed by a sprinkling of black pepper. #10 Bake for 20-22 minutes until golden brown. #11 Cool slightly before serving. #12 Serve as finger food or with a salad as a light lunch.

NOTES: 4 Best eaten warm or the day they are made.

4 Pastries can be made a day in advance, covered securely and refrigerated until ready to bake.

4 Pastries can be frozen for up to three months and baked from frozen.

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

APRIL 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

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THE INCONVENIENCE OF EASTER IN DENMARK COMEDIAN CONRAD MOLDEN PUTS AN AMUSING SPIN ON PÅSKE FERIE IN DENMARK. PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH

TEXT CONRAD MOLDEN

W

WHEN I THINK of Easter in Denmark, I do not think of rabbits, eggs or Jesus; I think of Aldi. For a bizarre reason that very few can explain, this German discount supermarket chain is one of the only things open during Easter in Denmark.

Around the same time every year, everything slowly starts to shut down, and a new silence fills the Danish landscape. The deserted streets and empty windows of Denmark during Easter resemble the apocalyptic wasteland of I Am Legend, except for Aldi. Despite the doom, it stands with doors open and thus becomes the beacon for all the confused zombies to congregate.

And at the back of that confused zombie crowd is me.

How does this happen? Inevitably, on Påskedag, you will suddenly and simultaneously run out of toilet paper, olive oil, detergent, and every edible item in your refrigerator. And this catastrophe will happen precisely twenty minutes before you even realise it is Påskedag. Naively you will leave the house, desperate for something to eat and needing the toilet, and nineteen minutes later, reach the locked doors of your local Danish supermarket.

Then a sudden realisation will wash over you like a cold shower: “F*ck, it’s påske.

Everything will be closed… I need to find an Aldi….” A terrible task. You hope you won’t bump into anyone you know during this embarrassing experience. But you will: inside Aldi.

It isn’t just the long queues at Aldi that make me dislike Easter. The confusing date system that determines this holiday makes Easter just become an inconvenience. There is no set date, no central information as to what will-and-will-notbe-open-and-for-how-long? Too many websites and confused faces. The whole period feels chaotic, as though some great plague

“The whole period feels chaotic, as though some great plague of rabbits and angry painted eggs are descending on civilisation, and life cannot remain the same.”

of rabbits and angry painted eggs are descending on civilisation, and life cannot remain the same. We must do as much food shopping as possible, refuse to make plans for all of March and April, and stay inside.

I just know that whatever shopping plans I make in the days before, I will inevitably end up in a queue in Aldi. The words “påskeåbningstider” make me feel unwell.

My biggest grievance with Easter is not purely the confusing opening times. It is just the amount of Påske and confusing opening times. Most holidays are kind enough to make sense: Halloween is one day and always the 31st of October. Clear, defined, predictable. You can plan a calm and stress-free life around that. Things are open and activities optional. Easter, however, sneaks up on you like an ambush. No matter how much you try to ignore it, it will catch you off-guard in the spring as you push the clothes into the washing machine only to realise the detergent is completely empty.

The date system Easter insists on using is deliberately impossible to understand.

The algorithm tells us when to close (al-

most all) the supermarkets require a degree in astrophysics and the patience of a saint. It revolves around planets, the equinox and full moons. So pick a day, Easter and stop bothering us.

And, it isn’t just Easter Day. Hanging around it is an unwanted entourage, like members of an irritating boy band including Palmesøndag, Skærtorsdag, Langfredag, Store bededag, Kristi himmelfartsdag, Pinsedag. There is even a “2nd” Påskedag and a “2nd” Pinsedag. Unwanted sequels to the already unwelcome marathon we are put through every year. And it could be even more exhausting: Store bededag (Big prayer day) was created just to bring together all the smaller prayer days because apparently there were too many!

I have a solution for you, Easter. You could be manageable if you just brought all your random boy band members together. Take your half-days, lowered flags, cardamom bread, gækkebrevs, påskebryg, akvavit and eggs with mustard into one well-defined date we can all understand.

And please keep Føtex open that day too.

THE-INTL

CONRAD MOLDEN WRITER & COMEDIAN 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

APRIL 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

17

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 ROSKILDE LIBRARY LOLLAND NEWCOMER SERVICE

VESTER FARIMAGSGADE 3 - COPENHAGEN GYLDENLØVESGADE 11 - COPENHAGEN BLEGDAMSVEJ 68 - COPENHAGEN SKINDERGADE 25 - COPENHAGEN AMAGERFÆLLEDVEJ 108 - COPENHAGEN DRONNING MARGRETHES VEJ 14 - ROSKILDE 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

APRIL 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

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TAKING ACTION TO HELP THE PLANET PHOTOGRAPHS NORTH ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL / UNSPLASH

TEXT MICHAELA MEDVEDOVÁ

W

WITH THE DEVELOPMENT of transportation systems and rapid industrial growth, people in the 20th century lived in comfort and prosperity like never before. But they were unaware of environmental issues that came with the progress.

In the United States, that began to change in the 1960s when public awareness about environmental problems started to rise. According to EARTHDAY.ORG, in 1970, Wisconsin senator Gaylord Nelson, with the help of a young activist Denis Hayes, aimed to organise college campus teach-ins - lectures or educational forums about public interest topics. However, they realised the potential of their initiative planned for 22 April - and developed it into a nationwide effort called Earth Day. The first year of Earth Day inspired 20 million Americans all over the country to demonstrate against the environmental effects of industrial progress and sparked action such as creating the United States Environmental Protection Agency. What started as American action turned into a global annual movement in 1990.

As we are approaching its 52nd birthday this April, Earth Day mobilises a billion people in more than 190 countries every year. This global effort is coordinated by EARTHDAY.ORG, working on activating and educating the environmental movement around the world.

WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER 364 DAYS? Earth Day is a global representation of the idea that we only have one home and need to protect it and ensure a quality of life for everyone and everything on the planet.

But this idea is also a part of a bigger, all-year-round effort - the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that lie at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which was adopted by member states of the United Nations in 2015. The goals call for action uniting areas such as ending poverty, reducing inequality, or improving health and education alongside working against environmental issues.

A strong focus on the SDGs is present in the North Zealand International School (NIS) curriculum and plays a vital role in helping guide their learners towards taking local and global action. “Our shared vision for learners at school is for them to be respectful and responsible global citizens. The SDGs help develop this, giving learners a chance to connect their learning to real global issues they will face in the future,” says Pete Tunna, Year 3 teacher and IPC Coordinator at NIS.

APRIL 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

"GIVING LEARNERS THE CHANCE TO MAKE POSITIVE CHANGE NOW WILL HOPEFULLY HAVE A KNOCK-ON EFFECT AND INSPIRE OTHERS TO DO THE SAME THING." - PETE TUNNA, YEAR 3 TEACHER AND IPC COORDINATOR AT NIS

Each year during the school’s International Day, they focus on one of the goals. This effort runs throughout the year, and teachers, learners, and the school community link to this focus. “We feel it is important to empower all learners to lead their own change.”

This year, the focus is on SDG 15 - Life on Land. The school started the year with a big push on what they thought life on land meant, following it with activities during International Day that focused on how we use the land and what we can do to sustain and support it. In individual classes, the learners then find out more about deforestation and its impacts. Pete says bringing the learning to life with real-world examples encourages learners to want to make real change. “Many of them went home and spoke to their parents about ways they could help support the rainforest. Examples of this were to buy products that had the Rainforest Alliance or FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) logo on, making a small but significant change all leading from the SDGs.”

A SPRING CLEANUP One of the ways to show our planet some love and care is cleanup initiatives around the world. This year, all classes at NIS all took part in the Danish Affaldsinsamlingen 2022 from 28 March to 3 April. This event is organised annually by the Danish Society for Nature Conservation and has, for the past 15 years, inspired 200 thousand Danes to collect trash in nature around them.

“Each class has been given a chance to decide what they would like to do during the Affaldsinsamlingen and how it will make a change. Classes have made links to what they have been learning,” explains Pete. For example, Milepost 2 (Year 3 and 4) focused on looking after the Danish forests after learning about an IPC (International Primary Curriculum) unit called Vanishing Rainforests.

“Giving learners the chance to make positive change now will hopefully have a knock-on effect and inspire others to do the same thing,” concludes Pete. THE-INTL

19

SUSTAINABLE DANES PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH

TEXT SARAH REDOHL

Columnist Sarah Redohl’s search for secondhand furniture sent her searching for answers to an unexpected question: “Just how sustainable are the Danesa?”

W

WHEN WE FIRST moved to Denmark, I was determined to furnish our apartment as sustainably as possible. I mentioned my intention to one of the first friends I made after moving here, who suggested I check the oversized rubbish bins in our apartment block. “We found a brand-name sofa in perfect condition that retails for 35,000 DKK,” she exclaimed.

Besides our bed and couch—my partner draws the line at secondhand fabrics— nearly all our furniture was sourced this way. Our dishware and cookware came from a closing restaurant, lamps and bikes bought used on DBA, plant pots and picture frames from the swap section of city recycling centres. My plan worked, but I wondered, ‘Why are sustainable Danes throwing away so many perfectly fine and functional items?’

FORM VS FUNCTION Denmark is seen across the globe as a green leader; it ranks first on the Climate Change Performance Index, first on the Environmental Performance Index, second on the Global Sustainability Index, and I could go on. So, it was no surprise that sustainability featured prominently at an exhibit I attended with my aforementioned friend about how life in Denmark impacts Danish design at the Danish Architecture Centre (DAC).

Along with sustainability, Danish design has long been recognised for its balance between aesthetic and practicality, between form and function. As I walked through egg chairs and artichoke lamps, past pop-top trash cans and organic green bins, I wondered when exactly form overtakes function to the point that it’s practical to put a spotless 35,000 DKK sofa in the rubbish bin?

Could an eye for design in some ways be a liability to sustainability rather than an asset? According to Denmark’s Ministry of Environment, Danish overconsumption is approximately twice the global aver-

age, and Denmark’s per capita consumption of natural resources of 23 tonnes is significantly above the EU average of 15 tonnes. So I wondered, ‘Could form over function be causing the overconsumption I’m seeing?’

REPUTATION VS REALITY My friend left the exhibit with a different question in mind, but one I’ve come to realise is more related to my own than I initially thought. “Do you feel like we just paid to watch a commercial for Denmark?” she asked. Since moving here, there are several things for which Denmark is known abroad that I’ve realised are mostly a matter of good marketing. My own secondhand success, along with my friend’s question, left me wondering to what extent Denmark’s sustainable identity might be one of them.

Denmark has, on occasion, faced accusations of greenwashing (portraying oneself as greener than one is). Some of them come from outsiders like me, who question the role fossil fuels have played in funding the Danish welfare state and the significance of shipping conglomerates in Denmark’s modern economy. Others come from Danes themselves, who accuse Denmark’s government of greenwashing high profile construction projects and claim Danish companies mislead consumers with climate claims.

And yet, Denmark is increasingly seen as a leader against greenwashing. Earlier this year, the Danish authorities issued guidelines warning businesses that any sustainability claims must be backed up by facts from a lifecycle study; Denmark will soon release an English version of the guidelines after receiving requests worldwide.

So I wondered, ‘Is it possible for a country to be guilty of greenwashing and lead the fight against it?’

TRASH VS TREASURE “Copenhageners don’t care about sus-

tainability,” reads the headline of an article written by Dr Anne Katrine Harders, program manager at the DAC. Upon first glance, her premise claims to answer my question, at least for my fellow capitaldwellers. “Sustainability,” Harders writes, “does not play a major role in the complex puzzle of a Copenhagener’s everyday life.”

But, the story isn’t as simple as its headline. Rather, Harders claims, the sustainable choices Copenhageners are making are also the most logical option. For example, cycling isn’t popular because it’s the sustainable alternative but the best alternative. “You know that cycling is more sustainable than driving a car, but even the most ambitious cyclist needs infrastructure,” Harders writes, adding that the same is true for everything from green energy to waste recycling. “Copenhagen is in many ways designed for the sustainable choice to be the most logical and convenient one.”

It isn’t that individual Danes care any more or less about making sustainable choices than others, but that Denmark’s predilection for design has often enabled sustainable alternatives to be the best option. This is even true for something as simple as sourcing a secondhand dresser from the dumpster. The infrastructure is set up so that this is not only possible but also logical, practical, and common. I regularly see my neighbours checking the bins; good stuff goes fast. Some apartments even have their own swap sections, in addition to the ones at city recycling centres. In Copenhagen, there are even maker spaces and workshops devoted to refurbishing these finds.

Watching piece after piece of perfectly fine furniture pile up outside my apartment may not match the mental image I had of one of the world’s most sustainable countries. But, sometimes, you have to dig a bit deeper into the trash to find the treasure. I guess you could say there are two sides to every sofa. 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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20

EASTER TRADITIONS AS AN EXPAT WELL-TRAVELLED WRITER SHANI BISHOP SHARES HER UK EASTER TRADITIONS. PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH

TEXT SHANI BISHOP

I

I WAS CURIOUS about the Easter traditions in Denmark because they were different to the UK. I loved the little trees and decorated eggs which hung on them. My kids used to bring home gækkebreve, which I thought were delightful.

EASTER TRADITIONS IN THE UK Easter activities and traditions vary depending on how religious you are. Some people will go to church, while most will use the time off to see family and friends. When I worked at a University before leaving for Denmark, I used to love Easter. I liked it because we got a week off and unlike Christmas, there was very little to do!

CHOCOLATE, CHOCOLATE, CHOCOLATE As you'd expect in a country obsessed with food, the options for chocolate treats at Easter are enormous. The shops store a vast array of products. There is a push to have more recycled options now, so thankfully, the amount of plastic is less than it used to be. There are a lot of eggs from companies you'd expect like Cadburys and Nestle and speciality products from chocolate makers like Hotel Chocolat, Montezuma and others. There are lots of vegan options now too.

HESTON IS A CHEF TO DIE FOR! One of the nicer supermarkets has a partnership with a fabulous chef called Heston. At Christmas and Easter, Heston always has fantastic food offerings. At the moment, Waitrose is selling 4 Eggstraordinary Chocolate Hen's Eggs. These are white chocolate eggs with a soft and sticky two-tone banoffee centre, fresh banana purée and dark chocolate caramel ganache layers. I'll definitely be buying some of those!

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.

WHAT THE CHILDREN ENJOY Usually, parents will buy one large Easter egg for each child. Then, there's usually an Easter egg hunt in the garden to discover the eggs hidden by the Easter bunny and lunch with the family. Traditionally lamb is served.

When children are little, parents will make Easter bonnets for them to wear in competitions, or they might paint eggs at home together. In addition, some country parks offer egg rolling competitions where you roll your egg downhill.

WHAT WE ALL ENJOY All the bakeries and supermarkets sell Hot Cross Buns. They are spiced buns with a cross on top. Nowadays you can get all sorts of varieties. My favourites are chocolate and orange or the very chocolatey ones. They are delicious toasted with butter.

By Easter, the weather in the UK is good, and spring flowers are in full swing, so there

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are lots of outdoor activities. The National Trust (a national charity that manages over 500 historic houses, gardens and parks) organises Easter Egg hunts around their beautiful gardens. Often local places of interest do this as well. For example, we live near Wisley, a large beautiful garden managed by the Royal Horticultural Society. Every year they have an egg hunt, and as it runs with Lindt, you get a posh chocolate bunny at the end.

THE WEATHER I'm not sure if we have been lucky with the weather this winter, but it has been really good.

I struggled in Denmark with the darkness and long winters, so living here has been a really beneficial change. There is sunshine most days, and the light levels are high even on grey days. It can get down to nought degrees, but the lack of wind means it feels warmer.

I have noticed differences in the weather and wonder if this is down to climate change.

As a child, the daffodils came up in late March. I remember this because I gave daffodils to my mum on Mother's Day, which falls in late March in the UK. Now the daffodils come up in early February. I'll be interested to see if it's just this year or every year. THE-INTL

21

SPRING INTO A NEW GROOVE PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH

TEXT MONIKA PEDERSEN

E

EASTER IS THE celebration of things coming back to life, as is represented in the Christian faith by the resurrection of Christ and the symbolic eggs, which also echo the theme of new life. Aligned with this is the season of Spring and all its glory of emerging flowers, leaf buds, and hope.

After the hardship of the winter, coupled with yet another year of Corona, there is a need to shake off the gloom, fatigue, and general malaise. It is a good time to revitalise energies and spring forward into a different groove.

“Reassure students that there are no 'stupid' questions, for questions are needed to seek out details and promote deeper understanding.”

GROWTH MINDSET This is not an easy manoeuvre, and it does not happen in an instance. However, adopting a growth mindset can help perceive situations, people, and personal issues through a more positive lens. Of course, it does not mean that the ‘problems’ disappear, but how to tackle them is different.

According to Carol Dweck, a leading psychologist and author in this field, a growth mindset is the belief that a person can grow and develop their abilities and become a better version of themselves. It focuses on wording, approach, and resilience. It is a whole shift away from being closed-minded and seeing failure as a door closing shut to believing that a setback is a chance to learn from a mistake, be enriched, and gain new opportunities.

It is an approach from which we can all benefit, especially young people, as they are often susceptible to self-doubt. A lack of self-confidence and the false belief that their lives should mirror those promoted by social media and trendsetters places a lot of negative pressure on today’s youth.

FOSTERING A GROWTH MINDSET Many schools adopt this instructional approach to better support their students, academically and emotionally.

One of the critical factors is to move away from the negative framing of progress. For example, if students do not perform well on a task or quiz, praise them for their success and discuss the steps they can take to achieve more in the future.

Incorporate the word ‘yet’ so when a child reverts to a ‘fixed’ mindset and can-

MONIKA PEDERSEN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATOR Monika comes from the Lonnot see a way forward, there is positivity projected in a statement such as, ‘you have not mastered it, yet, but you can and will’.

The use of ‘yet’ states the temporary nature of the obstacle.

Avoid a very grade orientated approach and focus on the process and feedback, so students can develop the understanding and skills, and when these are secure, grading can be introduced. This helps remove the pressure to ‘make the grade’ instead of truly understanding.

Encourage students to take a leap in their learning. Reassure them that tackling challenging topics or concepts is a process and not an ‘instant’ accomplishment.

Instead, learning and understanding are a series of errors and re-learnings to reinforce and solidify knowledge and skills.

Reassure students that there are no ‘stupid’ questions, for questions are needed to seek out details and promote deeper understanding. Praise them for ‘drilling down’ and grappling with difficult concepts.

When students answer questions, guide them to fully explain their ideas. Probe them gently and ask narrower questions, so students can deliver a fuller answer and demonstrate to themselves they have the

knowledge and capacity. This helps them to build their self-confidence.

Endeavour to differentiate tasks, so students can achieve success at their level, giving them the momentum to want to move forward. Provide gradual building blocks to keep a child energised about their learning.

Have students reflect on their work, set goals for themselves over the year, and review them. This encourages students to see how they are progressing, address areas needing strengthening, and push themselves a little further by setting new targets. This also helps them take greater responsibility for their progress and learning.

A JOURNEY OF LEARNING Developing a growth mindset is a longterm process that needs to be reaffirmed daily, and it will take longer for some students than others to adopt it and with different degrees of success. Nevertheless, it will support students in their academic and personal journey and provide them with life-long resilience. THE-INTL Sources: https://fs.blog/carol- dweckmindset/

don area of the UK, where she worked in the state system and the international school system, as an English teacher of 11-18 students and then a 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. @monikapedersen @monikapedersen @monikapedersen

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22

FURTHER EDUCATION WITH STU WHEN YOUNG ADULTS FINISH THEIR COMPULSORY OR EFTERSKOLE EDUCATION, THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO ACCESS PROGRAMMES FOR CONTINUING THEIR EDUCATION. IN THIS ARTICLE, WE COVER THE RULES FOR FURTHER EDUCATION.

PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH

I

TEXT SARA R. NEWELL / MICHAELA MEDVEDOVÁ

IF YOUR YOUNG adult has a

disability that does not allow them to complete a standard form of secondary education, they have the right to access Særligt tilrettelagt Ungdomsuddannelse (STU). STU can be translated as an Individually Designed Education and is intended as an option for youth with special needs to continue their education.

WHAT IS STU? According to the Ministry of Children and Education, STU programmes offer the following:  It takes three years to complete.  It is an option for continuing education for young people with physical or mental disabilities who are < 25 years of age and who have completed their compulsory education.  It is an option for youth whose disabilities keep them from enrolling in standard secondary education, even if they were to receive special assistance.  Have the primary purpose of assisting special needs youth further their professional, social, and personal competencies to lead as independent a life as their disability allows.

Once a young person with special needs has completed their compulsory education, they can apply for STU through their local municipality. In some cases, compulsory education will be completed after a young person has finished 9th grade, in other cases after 11th grade, depending on the young person’s individual situation.

If you and your child believe that STU would be a good choice, you should contact your municipality about setting up a meeting to discuss applying for STU. However, be aware that it is up to the municipality to decide whether they believe that your child falls within the target group for having access to STU and, if so, which STU school your child may attend.

We therefore strongly recommend that you are well prepared to argue your child’s case when meeting with a municipality caseworker. Preparation could include collecting relevant information regarding your child’s special needs, e.g. medical and education reports, reports from psychologists and/or therapists, and preliminary research on which STU programmes you believe would benefit your child’s development.

If the municipality concludes that your child is in the target group for STU, they must take the wishes and interests of the young adult into account. Unfortunately, in some cases, this is not always the reality.

tailing the skills, competencies, and knowledge they have gained and how they fulfilled the goals of the STU programme.

STU must be concluded within five years from when the young person enrols, although exceptions can be made because of illness or other extenuating circumstances. According to DUKH (Den Uvildige Konsulentordning på Handicapområdet), the municipality also has the right to suspend your child’s STU education if their attendance is not sufficient. However, such a decision should be thoroughly substantiated.

WHAT ISSUES COULD YOU FACE - AND WHERE TO APPEAL? Thomas Holberg, a political consultant at Lev (Livet med udviklingshandicap), writes that four challenges need to be addressed with regard to STU:  Young people don’t always have enough of an impact on which STU school they attend  There is a lack of overview of STU school and programme options  STU schools are not subjected to any quality requirements  Transitioning from STU into the next phase of adulthood is often difficult for young people who attend STU programmes.

If you are unhappy with your municipality’s decisions, for example, on target group assessment; denial of access to STU programmes; the granted STU school; the content of the education plan; or the suspension of STU, you can appeal to the Complaints Board for Special Education (Klagenævnet for Specialundervisning). According to Ligeværd, the most common basis for appeals is that young people are not allowed to attend the STU of their choice and that decisions made by the municipality regarding the choice of STU schools lack proper justification.

In a survey posted by The International in the Facebook group #enmillionstemmer, we asked: What were your (or your child’s) experiences being granted STU? We received responses from 166 people.

WHAT DOES STU CONSIST OF? The three-year programme begins with a 12-week clarification course where the municipality counsellor, parents, and young adult draw up an education plan based on the child’s wishes and ideas for future employment. With 840 hours per year, the education can consist of general subjects, internships in companies, rehabilitation training, or employment training. The course plan can also include education in independent living, finances, or housekeeping, and it may also help support the youth’s interests and hobbies.

The education is financed by the municipality and, therefore, free. The course plan can consist of different education and training components - STU can occur at many STU schools. STU programmes are exam-free and do not result in an education diploma comparable to diplomas earned at standard continuing education programmes. However, upon completion of STU programmes, students are awarded a competency certificate de-

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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Young people with disabilities should influence their own lives, access continuing education programmes that can support them in the transition from childhood to adulthood, and discover their strengths and abilities.

Although there are good quality STU schools to be found, there is much work to be done to ensure easier access to these schools and ensure that young people with disabilities have a real influence on how and where they continue their education. 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

23

IDENTIFYING YOUR CORE VALUES GUIDE TO SELF- DEVELOPMENT (PART 4)

PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH

TEXT AINA MASOOD

I

IN THE SELF-DEVELOPMENT series of my articles, it is time to talk about core values. They can be defined as a person’s or organization’s fundamental beliefs and/or their highest priorities. Values are learned.

We learn them by interacting with our environment and the people around us.

They function as building blocks for our thoughts, actions, and behaviour. They help us grow and help formulate our choices in life.

To identify what our values are, let’s look at the concept of WELLNESS WHEEL. Wellness is often thought of as being physically healthy, but the wellness wheel focuses on 7 dimensions of wellness. This idea originated from the work of Dr Bill Hettler in 1976, who initially talked about six dimensions of wellness: physical, emotional, spiritual, professional/career, social, and mental/intellectual. Then, another dimension was added, known as the environmental dimension.

All these dimensions contribute to our sense of self and wellness. They interact with each other, and at times, some are more prominent than others. Maintaining a balance between these is the key to selfdevelopment and enhancement.

HOW DOES THE WELLNESS WHEEL HELP US IDENTIFY OUR VALUES? The wellness wheel gives a clear division of dimensions that we can use to identify our belief systems. To identify our values associated with these dimensions, let’s look at what these dimensions entail.

ENVIRONMENTAL: using sustainable practices to care for your personal and global environment. For example, maintaining a clean home/room or using recycled clothing items.

SPIRITUAL: possessing a set of beliefs and principles that provide us with meaning and purpose in our life. For example, trying to seek harmony between our inner and outer world.

EMOTIONAL: understanding, managing, and accepting our emotions. For example, be-

AINA MASOOD PSYCHOLOGIST Aina is the founder and CEO of R.A.I.N (Recognise, Accept, Investigate, Nurture), a company that helps universities and organisations take care of their colleagues and employees' mental health. Aina has completed her master's in ing able to identify your feelings and express them constructively.

PROFESSIONAL: being aware of your career goals and finding fulfilment in work. For example, having a work/life balance, cherishing your work, investing in your career.

INTELLECTUAL/MENTAL: being curious and open to new ideas and experiences. Take care of your mind. For example, committing time and energy to new ideas and skills.

SOCIAL: connecting with and maintaining relationships with family, friends, and community. For example, having a trusting relationship and being able to set boundaries.

PHYSICAL: Maintaining a healthy body through diet and activity. For example, eating balanced meals, walking, or exercising.

Now that we know what the wellness circle is let’s explore how we can incorporate that into our lives. To do so, I will demonstrate two experiments you can use to identify your core values.

Experiment # 1: With an understanding of what these dimensions include, take a piece of paper and a pen, sit down, and draw a circle. Now, divide the circle into seven parts and think about the values that you have that correspond to these dimensions; and how do these values reflect in your behaviour and actions.

Experiment # 2: Another approach to using the wellness wheel can be to focus on your day and think about all the activities you do. Now try to assign each activity to each of the seven dimensions and ask yourself why you did it. This is a reverse feedback activity where the behaviour has already occurred, and you are trying to uncover your beliefs about the behaviour.

Conclusively, it is crucial to know about your values, and it might get difficult but assigning your activities throughout the day to the wellness wheel and asking yourself the reasons behind doing it is an interesting self-development experiment that you can engage in. I wish you all the best on this journey of uncovering your core values. THE-INTL

clinical psychology from Pakistan. She has lived in the USA for 6 months and has been in Denmark for over a year. Passionate 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 research and writing. She is 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-

"VALUES ARE LEARNED. THEY HELP US GROW AND HELP FORMULATE OUR CHOICES IN LIFE."

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

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24

JUTL AND

GO GLOCAL WITH LISBETH 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 PROJECT COORDINATOR OF GO GLOCAL, LISBETH VAN HEES.

PHOTOGRAPHS INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY / VISIT AARHUS

G

GO GLOCAL CELEBRATES businesses and locals supporting the internationalisation in Aarhus and Eastern Jutland, and the coordinator of the project, Lisbeth, is kneedeep in internationalisation herself.

Lisbeth is originally from Belgium but has lived and travelled through many countries. She arrived in Aarhus in August 2020 as her husband got a job opportunity here, and the family jumped on the challenge of living in yet another country.

"Despite having lived in various countries, among these France, Poland, China, the US, Sweden and now Denmark, it is still a challenge settling down in a new country – even more so when you are relocating as a family," Lisbeth initiates.

"That said, my family and I kind of like those challenges. We've learned a lot every time we have pulled up stakes and moved to another country – learning experiences that we have utilised when attempting to integrate into a new culture."

Additionally, Lisbeth emphasises that: "Every country has its pros and cons – mostly pros, fortunately – and we enjoy the Danish culture regarding work-life balance as a family. Moreover, this gives me time to enjoy the many offers of Aarhus with my family outside of work, e.g., enjoying nature always within close proximity when living in Aarhus."

WHY GO GLOCAL? "Aarhus is a city that offers everything and more. When my family and I came here, I was very impressed, and still am, by the many initiatives there are here to help internationals settle in Aarhus, one of which is the internationalisation project GO GLOCAL by Erhverv Aarhus and the City of Aarhus."

Lisbeth worked with internationalisation and relocation for many years before moving to Aarhus and is now working as a projects coordinator on GO GLOCAL. She found the project exciting because it is an excellent combination of her professional work and personal interests.

"As a spouse of an international recruit, I know how important it is that every family member adjusts and settles well in a new country. However, arriving in a new country without a social network and language knowledge can be challenging for newcomers, so any help and support to smoothen this process is valuable. Therefore, I think it is important to give recognition to the many different organisations that work to give internationals the possibility to thrive and integrate into their Aarhus life," Lisbeth says and adds: "I think that GO GLOCAL is a unique project that celebrates Aarhus's internationalisation and creates a spotlight for the many initiatives that make a difference in international people's lives. At the same time, I hope many international companies get inspired and learn from each other for Aarhus to become even more internationalised."

The GO GLOCAL conference will celebrate the vibrancy of international life in the City of Smiles and recognise efforts to improve internationalisation by granting two awards on the 22nd of June.

"The conference is also a forum where businesses, politicians, grassroots organisations, and individuals can inspire others to improve efforts to attract and retain international employees and improve quality of life for international families in Aarhus," Lisbeth explains.”

THE-INTL

TEXT INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

DID YOU KNOW?

The conference GO GLOCAL is hosted by Erhverv Aarhus/International Community Aarhus in cooperation with the City of Aarhus. They will present two awards: The GO GLOCAL Award is given to a company or organisation for their efforts in Internationalising Aarhus.

Nominations and a winner are selected by a panel of expats and repats in the international community.

The Best of International Aarhus Award is given to a club, initiative, project or event that makes a difference for internationals living in the Aarhus region. And anyone can nominate and vote for finalists!

Sign up for the conference at Erhverv Aarhus' website https://erhvervaarhus.dk/events/2022/go-glocal-conference-22-june-2022/ The conference is free and held on the 22nd of June 2022 from 08:30- 13:00. To learn more about GO GLOCAL, contact the project coordinator Lisbeth Van Hees at lvh@erhvervaarhus.dk

INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY OF AARHUS We offer a wide range of events, seminars and online 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

VISIT AARHUS - OLIVER SCHWENN

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VISIT AARHUS - GASTROWEEK

VISIT AARHUS - BALLEHAGE

25

THE SUN IS FINALLY BACK

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

Well, maybe. In Denmark, you never know. However, if the sun is out, we are, so reading might not be your first priority. Fortunately, short books are a thing so, you can still indulge in lovely literature. Enjoy.

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

OLD TALE, NEW TAKE

WEIRD, BRUTAL AND ANGRY

A SPINDLE SPLINTERED

BY ALIX E. HARROW

FLOWERS FOR

Zennia is dying, and

Iraxi is stuck on an ark

her twenty-first birthday will be her last. A friend arranges a perfect Sleeping Beauty event, but something happens, and Zennia is transported to another universe. Here she finds a princess who refuses to go to sleep.

THE SEA

BY ZIN E. ROCKLYN

on a hostile sea, under a hostile sky with a pregnancy she does not want, in a dying world. She is angry and set apart from the other passengers, partly because she is near term and the only one able to.

GRAPHIC, HONEST AND DISTURBING

GRUESOME CRIME WITH PUNCH

AT NIGHT ALL

SAWBONES

BY STUART MACBRIDE

BLOOD IS BLACK

BY DAVID DIOP

and book talks.

A serial killer kid-

Alfa and Mandemba

naps, tortures, and kills

leave their home in Sen-

young women across

egal for the first time

the US. The police are

to fight for France in

chasing him with no

the Great War. But,

luck. Then he kidnaps

when Alfa cannot kill

the wrong victim, the

his friend when he is

daughter of a notorious

dying in agony in no

gangster. And daddy

man’s land, he slowly

knows just who to send

descends into madness.

after the killer.

DID YOU KNOW? If you want to get outside but still enjoy reading, you can get thousands of great free audiobooks (and e-books) in English through your local library. EreolenGlobal.dk has an app called Libby that gives you easy access. Here you have levels from children’s books to adult novels and many genres: eReolen Global - OverDrive

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CHOOSING A HØJSKOLE A TRANSFORMATIVE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE

PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH

TEXT SKYLER BENTLEY HALL

H H AV E YO U E V E R

wondered what it would be like to study at a Højskole in Denmark? What is the attraction to this style of learning and teaching? Twenty-year-old Danish resident Mikkel Larsson offers a personal touch by sharing some inspirational lessons learned. His dream was to become a successful furniture designer, but life had other plans. Read on to hear about Mikkel's transformative educational journey.

Q

WHICH HØJSKOLE DID YOU CHOOSE AND WHY? I studied at Krabbesholm Højskole for one semester, which was the most significant five months of my life. The school is in Skive, a small town in Jutland and is a magical place. Krabbesholm forest is your backyard and can be seen from some of the classroom's overhead windows. Initially, I intended to return to school and study design after working as a warehouse employee after my gap year. I had heard about the Højskole from a family member and thought it looked interesting. I went for a visit with no intention of enrolling, but I changed my mind as soon as I arrived! I chose to study design, but the school also offers fine arts, graphic design, and architecture's most popular curriculum. I thoroughly enjoyed the course as we explored many different types of design: fashion, product, furniture, the study of obscure design and much more.

Q

WHAT IS A SIGNIFICANT PROJECT YOU WORKED ON? During the course, we had guest teachers from all over the country who brought us different exercises to improve our creative skills. We had a new project every week.

The most memorable one was a zero-waste project where we had to up-cycle old sleeping bags into garments. It taught me how

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SKYLER BENTLEY HALL EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANT " T H E I D E A O F H ØJ S KO L E I S N ' T J U S T TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHATEVER YOU ARE STUDYING, BUT ALSO TO MATURE AS A PERSON."

to think more sustainably. As a result, I am now working as a Chef in Amager. I use sustainability in my cooking and consider how to utilise every vegetable part without letting anything go to waste."

Q

WHAT WERE SOME MEMORABLE TAKEAWAYS?

I learned quite a lot at Krabbesholm Højskole from a design perspective and increased my self-awareness. I had very low self-esteem and social anxiety when arriving at Højskole at nineteen years of age, but that changed very quickly. On the first day, all students participated in games and exercises so we could get to know each other. This included line dancing and other fun activities. A little transgressive, but very valuable for me personally. I was forced to be around people all the time.

You are in this isolated bubble where you almost forget there is an outside world - it's hard to describe. The way we were taught was very different from the IB curriculum I was used to. We had new projects weekly, and there were no grades. Instead, we had rounds of feedback after every project from teachers and students. This teaching

style made me more focused and motivated as there was no pressure. I had the freedom to do whatever I wanted without being judged. The only requirement was for me to show up to class, which they take very seriously.

Q

HOW HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE CONTRIBUTED TO WHO YOU ARE TODAY? I feel a lot more confident. If I had to give any tips for someone who would consider enrolling, try asking the school for a virtual tour or go visit if you have the opportunity. I would highly recommend it to anyone who has just graduated high school. The mental stress of finals can be overwhelming, and this is an opportunity to let your mind rest while doing what you are interested in. The idea of Højskole isn't just to get a better understanding of whatever you are studying, but also to mature as a person, and I think that is something we can all benefit from. I am now working fulltime at a restaurant two years later, and I can't wait to start Culinary School in September. I am very excited about what the future has in store for me. My goal in life is to make people happy - it always has been.

As long as I have the privilege to serve people good food and put a smile on their faces, I really don't need anything else in life. 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

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THE PRICE OF FREEDOM THE 24TH OF FEBRUARY 2022 IS A DAY THE WORLD CHANGED, BUT MAINLY FOR THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE. WHEN WE LOOK BACK IN OUR HISTORY AND REMEMBER THE EARLY DAYS OF 2022, WE WILL RECALL "THE TIME BEFORE THE WAR".

HERE IS THEIR STORY, A STORY OF A PEOPLE THAT WILL NEVER GIVE UP IN THEIR FIGHT FOR FREEDOM. PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH

TEXT NARCIS GEORGE MATACHE

T

TANKS AND PLANES

inscribed with the new sign of evil "Z" gave the people of Ukraine a rude awakening. Families had to make traumatising long-term decisions under the awful sounds of sirens and explosions. Fathers, brothers and sons stayed to defend the country while the mothers, children, grandparents and pets began their long trek towards safety, not knowing if they would ever see each other again.

That morning felt like a bad movie from the past that somehow came to life for many Eastern Europeans. It felt like the stories our grandparents told were being realised again. Yet, once again, we stood in fear of the brutality of Russian soldiers and the inhumanity of the brutal regime from Moscow.

Once upon a time, the evil shadow of the brutal regime from Moscow extended to Berlin. With a heavy price, we managed to rescue the Baltics, Poles, Czechs and Slovaks, Hungarians, Romanians and Bulgarians from the darkness. Today, Ukrainians, Georgians and Moldavians want to escape the bear's clutches and join the empire of liberty, freedom and democracy, also known as the "European Union".

Georgians were punished in 2008 for dreaming of freedom. Ukrainians are paying the price in blood today. Moldavians are next - if the heroes of Ukraine actually manage to derail and destroy the Russian army, this might not happen. Considering the differences in power, a mighty task that will cost many, far too many Ukrainian lives.

Why are the Ukrainians willing to fight so hard? The simple answer is that life under Russian rule is not a good life or a life worth living. Not when you know that over the border towards the west, there is a life you can live that is not lived in fear and dread.

Despite the attempts of the Russian propaganda to call the invasion a "special operation" to "denazify" Ukraine and to call the people of Ukraine "Russians" or "part of Russia's heritage", the world reacted strongly in favour of Ukraine. They recognised their desire for freedom and

NARCIS GEORGE MATACHE Political Analyst Born in Romania, shaped by Denmark and dedicated to the European Union, he has spent most of his twenties advocatdid everything they possibly could to help without triggering a third world war.

In fact, the Danes can say that they have more in common with Ukrainians than the Russians. The Rurikid Vikings established Kyiv and united Ukraine's East Slavic and Finno-Ugric tribes. In that melting pot of multiple identities, the Ukrainians were born.

They played house with the Lithuanians and the Poles in the early days until the Russians arrived and forgot to leave. The Russians banned the Ukrainian language and culture for centuries to destroy the Ukrainian identity. However, in the underground, the Ukrainian intellectual elites kept the identity alive and came out during the Soviet Revolution (1917), hoping they could be free again.

Unfortunately, the Soviet Union did not allow their freedom and punished them with the scourge of famine in 1932 (Holodomor), when millions of Ukrainians died.

As a result, the Ukrainian identity went back underground, waiting for another chance to escape. Finally, the Soviet Union fell (1991), and Ukraine finally declared

independence.

However, the struggle did not end there.

After centuries of being under Russian influence, separating was an enormous task.

Their independence was an illusion, and Russia did not want them to go away. In the elections of 2003, the candidate for Russia won the presidential elections by using vote-rigging tactics. The people of Ukraine revolted in the "Orange Revolution" (2004) and put a pro-European in charge.

Russia did not give up. During the next round of elections, their candidate won, and in 2013 refused to sign the cooperation agreement with the European Union. As a result, the people of Ukraine once again took to the streets in what became known as the "EuroMaidan Revolution" (2014). A pro-European came into power again and resumed the course towards joining the European Union. As punishment, Russia took Crimea and started a war in Eastern Ukraine (by supporting the separatist republics of Donetsk and Lugansk).

Today, Ukraine is fighting for its freedom and soul, making a last attempt to escape the "Z" people. Slava Ukraini! THE-INTL

ing 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 Aalborg, making the city more inclusive. Today, he continues his mission to make Denmark more inclusive by building an information service that produces multilingual content to connect the non-Danes to Danish society. You can book him for workshops, seminars, training, speeches on youth participation, democracy, European citizenship, Danish politics, and media literacy. @narcisgeorgematache

APRIL 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

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SPRING CLEAN INSIDE OUT AFTER A LONG GLOOMY WINTER, SPRING HAS SLOWLY TAKEN OVER (AT LEAST FOR NOW). AS TREES AND FLOWERS START TO BLOOM AGAIN, SO SHOULD OUR MIND, BODY, SOUL, AND SURROUNDINGS - WE SHOW YOU HOW!

PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH

TEXT OPHELIA WU

T

TO TRULY NOURISH

and allow space to blossom, we must first declutter. Out with the old, in with the new. There are a few things I find therapeutic and refreshing to do every now and then that might help.

But first, thank yourself for all the things you’ve been through. It hasn’t been easy, and you’ve made it this far.

We often forget how much our body has supported us through thick and thin. Every organ and cell of our body stores memories, pain and experiences we go through.

As Spring arrives, it’s time to nourish our body because if we want to go further in life with strength, this is where we fuel ourselves. But how to declutter our bodies?

I’m not suggesting any fad diets or juice cleanse. Instead, look at diet, food intake, daily things, and resting patterns. I find journaling very useful in keeping track of my daily intake of things I consume, perhaps unconsciously. Once there is a bigger picture, we can better plan what nourishing food and activities we can integrate into our daily routine while taking out the less healthy options (i.e., overconsumption of alcohol, late nights, fast food etc.). Listen to your body - it will tell you what it wants and what to do.

MIND Our mind is perhaps the busiest place in our world- we don’t realise how much we talk to ourselves and overuse it every day, bombarded with tons of information.

This is where ideas grow, and things get planned and manifested, yet this is where all the limiting beliefs and self-criticism happen most. Decluttering our mind is truly easier said than done because it takes a commitment to ourselves to make time and practice, to put in the effort to calm it down and filter out all the noise that’s restlessly running in our minds. Putting pen to paper is a great way to get ideas and thoughts off our busy minds. Meditation is a perfect place to tap into. Everyone has a different preference, and there are no set rules. Some find deep breathing useful; some enjoy walking meditation; some enjoy sitting still. Once you’ve entered the state of stillness, you become so aware of all your thoughts that one thought then creates a ripple.

But to start with, we simply just need

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OPHELIA WU FASHION CONSULTANT & JOURNALIST to slow down through deep breathing and relaxation and just allow all thoughts and sounds to come and go as they are without judgement. Allowing some quiet time and digital detox every day to switch off all the distractions is also a good place to begin. Simply be aware of the surrounding, and just be. As we filter out unnecessary information every day, we become more aware of what is relevant to us. We gain more clarity only to absorb the nourishing food for the mind. Then, perhaps you will find the headspace to pick up the habit of reading again.

SOUL Nourishing our soul is very important and powerful as it determines how we feel and choose every decision. Our soul is where our intuition lies - it’s where we find all the answers and all the tools we need to build an authentic life. It might take a while to get from where we are to where we want to be, but it is ok because life is a journey. To declutter our soul, we need to heal past trauma, pain, and experiences holding us back. It is not an easy task but a very liberating one once you’ve overcome it, even though it is not something that can be achieved overnight. A perfect place to start is our social circle. Social detox is not only healthy but necessary, and it is not ruthless or selfish. We need to prioritise ourselves. Are there any people or relationships in your circle that have drained your energy level? Do they not reciprocate your effort and love? Is there any emotional blackmailing, guilt-tripping, gaslighting, or just toxic behaviour you unwillingly tol-

erated for a while? If yes, those need to be let go of and decluttered. Don’t underestimate the number of soul-crushing experiences in our social life. Keeping a healthy circle around you will nourish your soul and offer mutual support, love, and compassion that helps each other grow and move on to a better place.

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

OUR SURROUNDING

at ELLE Hong Kong magazine,

Our surrounding is the easiest and quickest way to start with the Spring clean and decluttering. Simply go through your wardrobe, screen out everything you have not worn and used for the past year or doesn’t fit, and spark your interest in using it again. Donate them to charity, bring them to recycling or sell them to give a second life - these are all easy ways to start.

As you reorganise your wardrobe with the things you’ve filtered down, you automatically feel there’s a new wardrobe waiting for you to express in. Cleaning your place and throwing out old and broken stuff can be one of the most therapeutic chores in Feng Shui that allow the flow of qi (air).

Once you remove the stagnant spots, you clear up spaces for more flow, bringing in more fresh energy and abundance. Whether you believe in this, it’s just nice to have a clean and tidy space, isn’t it?

Perhaps by now, if you’ve done all the above, you’re probably ready to conquer the world and take it by storm. But, even if you have just done one thing, it’s ok because this is a journey, a lifestyle we can grow into and slowly watch our life progress and good things unfold in front of our eyes. Happy Spring Clean! 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 celebrities globally.

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

29

VALUE CREATION AND SUSTAINABILITY HIGHLIGHTING ARLA FOODS – THE LARGEST DAIRY PRODUCTS PRODUCER IN SCANDINAVIA.

PHOTOGRAPHS ARLA FB PAGE

TEXT MARIANO ANTHONY DAVIES

A

ARLA FOODS IS the leading Danish multinational cooperative based in Viby, close to Aarhus, the second-largest city in Denmark and Scandinavia's largest dairy product producer. The Group was formed due to a merger between the Swedish dairy cooperative Arla and the Danish dairy company MD Foods in 2000.

Globally, the demand for dairy products is still growing, and at the same time, consumers are becoming more conscientious - expecting the food they eat to be healthy and affordable and be produced responsibly and sustainably.

The global dairy market is expected to grow by approximately 2% annually. In the Middle East, Africa and the Asia Pacific countries, a growing population drives increased demand for dairy nutrition. In Europe, where dairy products have been a more integral part of daily meals for many years, consumers now search for products that meet their needs within health and wellness, convenience and sustainable production.

Over the last decades, Arla's farmerowners have steadily worked towards sustainable farming, and today they are among the most climate-efficient dairy farmers in the world producing milk with an average of 1.15 kg CO2 per kilo of milk.

Moreover, Arla's farmers are committed to accelerating their reduction of greenhouse gas emissions towards a science-based 30% goal in 2030. Across its operations, Arla has raised its target to a 63% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, which it will deliver by accelerating its conversion to green electricity, fossil-free transportation fleets, making all packaging recyclable and having zero virgin plastics in branded packaging by 2030.

In recent years, Arla has strengthened its position as a market leader in Northern Europe, the UK and the Middle East with its global brands Arla®, Lurpak®, Castello®, Puck® and Starbucks®, which are strong and trusted household names.

In the next five years, Arla will utilise its key competitive advantage and grow its branded business by 3-4% year on year by investing in category innovation and development, new production technologies and supply chain scale.

Arla will also invest in its global specialised, high-quality milk and whey ingredients business, Arla Foods Ingredients (AFI), to secure world-class innovation

MARIANO ANTHONY DAVIES PRESIDENT & CEO OXFORD BUSINESS SERVICES APS Mariano has over 40 years global experience as a bus ness executive. He spent ten years with KPMG, so far thirty years with British Chambers of Commerce (while also runARLA'S FARMERS ARE COMMITTED TO ACCELERATING THEIR REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS TOWARDS A SCIENCE-BASED 30% GOAL IN 2030. and collaboration and develop new solutions for its partners. The newly opened Innovation Centre in Western Jutland in Denmark aims to be the powerhouse to bring about change, develop future opportunities and introduce innovation efforts in AFI. Arla has successfully built its export business to markets such as China, West Africa, the Rest of the World and Southeast Asia, where consumer demand for affordable dairy nutrition exceeds local production and supply. Arla will strengthen and expand its presence in these markets within dairy categories such as butter and cheese, organic, affordable dairy nutrition, and early life nutrition through its future strategy.

Furthermore, as urbanisation and higher average incomes change consumer food habits towards more convenience and dining out, Arla will fast track its e-commerce capability to support its customer online channels and invest in foodservice innovation and technologies within categories such as mozzarella.

Arla Foods is a global brand that employs close to 20.000 employees with an-

nual revenue of well over EUR 10 billion.

It is a listed company that prides itself on benchmarking standards for sustainable dairy production.

It is co-owned by 12,600 dairy farmers across Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the UK within its present structure. However, this is expected to change soon, as a planned merger with the European Co-op Walhorn EGM Group will take its dairy farmer membership to 13,500 and bring in the first Dutch farmers if the merger is approved by national competition authorities. THE-INTL

ning 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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SPRING GRAZING PETS PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH

TEXT TAREK ABU SHAM

B

BIRDS CHIRPING IS

the first indication that Spring has arrived, and the fresh green shoots of nature are blooming. But have you noticed your cat or dog munching on them? What is the obsession behind this odd behaviour?

You’ve probably seen it happen more than once. Your furry family member goes outside and immediately starts to gobble down grass. More often than not, that triggers a reflex, and they promptly vomit, either outside or on your freshly cleaned carpets. So why do our pets eat grass when it clearly isn’t something they should be eating? There are several reasons your pet might eat grass, and your veterinarian might not be able to identify why your pet is consuming this leafy goodness. However, some reasons can be ruled out by carefully looking at your pet’s history.

TAREK ABU SHAM CEO & FOUNDER OF MYPETERINARIAN

A NEED FOR NUTRIENTS One of the most common reasons for pica, or eating something that isn’t a food item, is a lack of nutrients. As long as your pet is eating complete and balanced pet food, rather than just eating table scraps or food that doesn’t have a seal of approval from a veterinary and food administrative body, this cause should not be why they’re eating grass.

AN UPSET TUMMY A common thought behind dogs and cats eating grass is that they have an upset stomach, and eating grass in some way helps relieve the discomfort. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, only 25% of dogs actually vomit after they eat grass, so this is not a likely reason in most cases. By consuming grass, your pet may be getting the fibre that it needs to help regulate its digestive tract. Eating grass helps keep food moving properly through the GI tract and helps your pet to pass stool, especially since some pets need more roughage in their diet than others.

AN INSTINCT Your pet might eat grass as a way to chan-

APRIL 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

BY CONSUMING GRASS, YOUR PET MAY BE GETTING THE FIBRE THAT IT NEEDS TO HELP REGULATE ITS DIGESTIVE TRACT. nel its instincts. In dogs, in particular, it may link back to their wild canid ancestry.

In studies of the faecal material in wolves, between 11 and 47 percent of wolves eat grass. Most wolves have to hunt for the meals they consume unless they live in captivity. As part of scavenging for food, they may ingest grass and other plants. So even though your pet eats a balanced commercial kibble, it may scavenge on grass and plants in your yard.

A STRESS RELIEVER Dogs may eat grass as a way to alleviate boredom or anxiety. For example, if a dog is stuck outside with little human interaction, it may start to graze on grass. It can be a way for the dog to get more attention or a comfort mechanism to help relieve anxiety. When pets have more time with and attention from their owners, they tend to eat less grass when this is the case.

A TASTY SNACK Some pets eat grass because they like the taste of it. However, between the texture of the grass and its flavour, some animals may just enjoy it and treat it like a tasty snack.

SHOULD YOU WORRY? If your pet is on a good intestinal parasite prevention programme, eating grass from time to time is not much of a worry unless it’s getting sick (or feeling sick before or after eating the grass). These parasite prevention measures will help deworm if your pet ingests roundworms or hookworms from contaminated grass. However, if your grass is treated with herbicides or pesticides, you’ll want to keep your pet from eating it. Spending more time with your dog or cat and retraining its behaviour with appropriate treats or toys is a great way to stop grass grazing. 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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#STAND WITH UKRAINE #PEACE FOR UKRAINE

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