Morning Briefing – Friday, July 12

The Copenhagen Post’s daily digest of what the Danish press is reporting

More and more Danes self-medicate with pot

The lack of laws allowing for the legal medicinal use of cannabis is turning some residents into reluctant criminals who purchase and use cannabis to self medicate. Marijuana is currently only approved for use by multiple sclerosis and terminal cancer patients in Denmark, so those suffering from other ailments who say that they are helped by cannabis are forced to grow it themselves or buy it illegally. Both can result in prosecution. Sufferers say that while many places are moving forward on the medical marijuana front, it has been more than a decade since the subject was seriously debated by parliament. – Information

Funen sex assaulter worked with children

The 40-year-old man behind a series of sexual assaults on Funen was at one time employed to take care of children. According to Fyens Stiftstidende newspaper, the man worked as a teacher’s assistant at two different schools from 1994 until 1996 and again from 2000 until 2002. School officials on Funen said that they had no reason to suspect the man of wrongdoing while he was in their employ. – Jyllands – Posten 

 

Daddy’s not home

More and more single women are breaking with centuries of social practice and starting a family without a male partner. Since 1997, the law has allowed both single women and lesbian couples to be inseminated using donor sperm. The treatment has been paid for by the public medical system since 2007. This year, up to 400 children will be born into homes where the mother opted to go it alone. – Berlingske

Greater transparency on political donations

At least one party is calling for a change in how political funding is reported. A spokesperson for Socialdemokraterne, Lars Midtiby, said that the current rules are outdated and more light needed to be let in to the political donation process. He told Berlingske newspaper that there is a “growing mistrust” among voters and that more transparency is needed.  Under the current rules, parties are not required to disclose how much money they receive from businesses, special interest groups or private donors. – Berlingske

Councils failing foster care

Half of the families that have taken children into foster care are not getting the support from their local councils that professionals say is required to care for the children. A report from education union Socialpædagogernes Landsforeningen said that half of the 755 families surveyed reported that councils had rejected their requests for support. Union head Benny Andersen said that politicians do not take foster care seriously and that once a child is in the system, it is a case of “out of sight, out of mind”. – DR News

 




  • The international who shaped Copenhagen

    The international who shaped Copenhagen

    Anna Maria Indrio is one of the most important architects in Denmark, having contributed to shaping Copenhagen into what it is today. Among her best-known projects are the extension of SMK and Arken, as well as the Natural History Museum and the Darwin Centre in London. She moved here 60 years ago, when “Copenhagen was gray and dormant. Predictions suggested it would become depopulated. But putting people at the center changed everything,” she said

  • Danish government passes amendment to increase citizenship fee by 50%

    Danish government passes amendment to increase citizenship fee by 50%

    Fees were raised to reflect processing costs and curb repeat applications, creating debate over whether the new charges erect barriers to political participation for internationals.

  • Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

    Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

    According to a report by the Danish Chamber of Commerce, internationals’ contribution is 12% of the country’s GDP. In 2023, it was 322 billion DKK, and in 2008, it was 136 billion DKK. “Internationals make a gigantic difference in our prosperity and welfare,” comments Morten Langager, the Director of Dansk Erhverv.

  • Inside Denmark’s innovation engine

    Inside Denmark’s innovation engine

    With half of its staff being international, the BioInnovation Institute reflects Denmark’s broader transformation into a global innovation hub. But can the country—and Europe—keep up the pace? “If reforms are made now, we can close the gap in ten years,” explains BII’s CEO

  • Denmark launches massive investment in the navy

    Denmark launches massive investment in the navy

    Two months ago, the Danish PM announced that military equipment should be purchased in a hurry. The first plans for the sea are now ready. Additional plans for warships will follow this summer.

  • International designers struggle to find jobs in Denmark

    International designers struggle to find jobs in Denmark

    Many internationals come to Denmark to work as designers, but the field appears to be one of the hardest to break into. The Copenhagen Post spoke with two internationals struggling to find their way into the industry.

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