Out and About: Poetry and politics at institute opens

Jenna Kleinwort

Jun 21, 2015

Kurdish writer and journalist Jan Pêt Khorto, who is originally from Aleppo in Syria, was among the many in attendance at the opening ceremony of the Syrian Cultural Institute at Global Copenhagen in Nørrebro on Tuesday May 26.

Khorto, who came to Denmark as a political refugee in 2008, took to the stage to recite poems that recalled his time in a political prison in Syria and the frightening crossing of the Mediterranean sea in a boat filled with refugees.

Also among the speakers was Professor Jakob Skovgaard-Petersen (right) from the University of Copenhagen, who is an expert in Middle Eastern studies and has been confirmed as the first leader of the institute. The institute will try to assist newly-arrived Syrians settling in Denmark – last year 5,401 Syrian refugees moved to Denmark compared to 1,760 in 2013 – mainly by putting them in touch with already-established, well-educated Syrians living here.

(Photos: Miran Efrini/Syrian Cultural Institute in Denmark)

Diplomatic tensions between US and Denmark after spying rumors

A Wall Street Journal article describes that the US will now begin spying in Greenland. This worries the Danish foreign minister, who wants an explanation from the US’s leading diplomat. Greenlandic politicians think that Trump’s actions increase the sense of insecurity
Diplomacy meets Westeros: a dinner with the King, Queen – and Jaime Lannister

What do King Frederik X, Queen Mary, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and Jaime Lannister have in common? No, this isn’t the start of a very specific Shakespeare-meets-HBO fanfiction — it was just Wednesday night in Denmark
Huge boost to halt dropouts from vocational education

For many years, most young people in Denmark have preferred upper secondary school (Gymnasium). Approximately 20 percent of a year group chooses a vocational education. Four out of 10 young people drop out of a vocational education. A bunch of millions aims to change that
Beloved culture house saved from closure

At the beginning of April, it was reported that Kapelvej 44, a popular community house situated in Nørrebro, was at risk of closing due to a loss of municipality funding
Mette Frederiksen: “If you harm the country that is hosting you, you shouldn’t be here at all”

With reforms to tighten the rules for foreigners in Denmark without legal residency, and the approval of a reception package for internationals working in the care sector, internationals have been under the spotlight this week. Mette Frederiksen spoke about both reforms yesterday.
Tolerated, but barely: inside Denmark’s departure centers

Currently, around 170 people live on “tolerated stay” in Denmark, a status for people who cannot be deported but are denied residency and basic rights. As SOS Racisme draws a concerning picture of their living conditions in departure centers, such as Kærshovedgård, they also suggest it might be time for Denmark to reinvent its policies on deportation

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Career

Facing a shortage in employees in elderly care, Denmark prepares reception package for internationals

In 10 years, Denmark may lack 15,000 social and health workers. Minister for the Elderly Mette Kierkgaard is preparing to hire many internationals, especially from India and the Philippines.
Media: Collective agreement terms may lead to more international labor in Denmark

The governing parties have been negotiating internally for some time on a proposal to attract more international labor to Denmark. According to media outlets, a proposal is almost due
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

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Jobs