This past year has offered its share of challenges and successes for The Copenhagen Post. Most noticeably, we successfully launched a redesign of our newspaper and our website, while at the same time increasing our presence on social media.
It was also a year in which we continued to deepen our involvement in national efforts to attract and retain highly-skilled workers. Like in previous years, we accomplished this as a partner with Expat in Denmark and by collaborating with government ministries. New for us this year, however, were the community events we organised for our readers and their families.
In June, we held our inaugural ChildrenÂ’s Fair. With upwards of 700 families attending, 40 cultural and sporting associations on hand, and special activities for children, the fair was a resounding success. In September, we joined with the City Council to hold the most visited Expat Fair ever. And earlier this month, we were pleased to be able to join with members of our community to celebrate the holidays at our Family Christmas Party.
A number of positive initiatives have been put forth by lawmakers to attract and retain highly-skilled labour, but as a whole, itÂ’s questionable whether the efforts are sufficient to meet the challenges we face in this area. Also hindering the effectiveness of these efforts is the lack of a co-ordinated, national plan.
Regardless of what people here believe, Denmark is neither the first choice for people looking to live and work abroad, nor is it as open-mined as we like to think. This is something people need to recognise. In order to successfully attract highly-skilled foreign labour, the average Dane has to be made more aware of just how great the need is. The media has already begun to discuss the challenges we face in this area. But, ultimately, success will rest on whether parliament gives a clear signal that we want highly-skilled foreign labour to come to this country.
Simply stated: Denmark needs foreign labour more than foreign labour needs Denmark. They can choose other countries; we have no alternative. What ought to be obvious is that talented potential employees will find their way to the country that offers them the best living standard and the most welcoming environment.
It’s in everyone’s interest – Dane and foreign resident alike – that we make Denmark as open, tolerant and internationally-oriented a country as possible, so that we can secure our long-term growth, but also so that we can get through the current global economic downturn.
WeÂ’re looking forward to continuing to work towards achieving this goal in the coming year.
Merry Christmas to our readers and partners from all of us at The Copenhagen Post and the best wishes for a prosperous 2012.
