Manifesto “Creating the new tomorrow”

The ideas within the political program have been created while taking into account the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Decent work & Economic growth

The first concern for every international is financial stability. We need money to have a roof over our heads and food on the table. As a student, if you don’t have a job, you don’t get SU. As a graduate, if you cannot find a job, you will move away. Finding a decent workplace is everyone’s dream. However, for us it can be mission impossible sometimes.

As your representative, I will put the issue of high unemployment among internationals on the Regional Council of North Denmark table and attempt to convince the others to finance initiatives that will promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth and decent work for all.

Man lies face down on table next to laptop. Looking for remote work. Unemployment,crisis

Reduce unemployment among international graduates

The disproportionately high unemployment rate needs to be on the top of the Regional Council employment agenda. Possible solutions to be considered: Match-up program between small and medium companies and unemployed; Learn Danish at the job program; Remote areas job placement; Green conversion skills courses.

Group of business people with leader at front

“Promote Nordjylland” ambassador program

Export is the lifeblood of economic growth. If our companies from North Denmark will export more, then the output will be increased which will lead to more jobs being created. An ambassador program, through which internationals (that moved back home after studies) promote North Danish products in their countries of origin, can lead to more export opportunities.

AI Center for the people

In Finland, there are centers in every city, where people from various domains can learn about and experiment with the newest technologies. We need such a center in Aalborg, where you can come and experiment with virtual/augmented/extended reality, blockchain, machine learning, quantum computing, cybersecurity, etc. in order to stimulate innovation and bring North Denmark at the forefront of technological advancement. Also, to expand the knowledge on new technologies further than Aalborg, we should organize TEDx style events around North Denmark.

Climate action now writing into he concrete floor

Regional climate action

As we are facing the biggest challenge in human history, we all need to contribute towards reaching climate neutrality until 2030. The Regional Council can do its part by focusing on green transport (electric trains and buses; biogas buses); green procurement (for the healthcare system) and circular economy (enabling the framework for local enterprises).

EU flags in front of European Commission

Upgrade International House North Denmark to a regional institution

To have a bigger impact for the international community in North Denmark, the International House needs more resources (stable financing; more employees; locations outside Aalborg).

"Bridges & Roots'' development program

With the aim, to build bridges between the Danish-speaking society and the English-speaking society, we need to encourage the local communities to create “unity” projects, meant to solve local problems with the input of the non-Danes. This will also lead to stronger roots for non-Danes in the local society.

Coding for Unemployed

It was demonstrated in Austria that anyone can learn coding in 9 months. There are 5000 coding jobs in Denmark right now. Long-term unemployed should have access to coding courses, to increase their employability chances.

Train line Aalborg – Thisted

The western part of North Denmark should be connected with the eastern part, by means of collective transport. The recent economic growth from the Thisted area could be further supported by linking it with the highly-skilled workforce from Aalborg. The dream of building a train line from Aalborg to Thisted is not new. There have been many attempts in the last 150 years. It’s in our interest to put it again on the agenda.

Accessible healthcare system

Every human has a right to health because it’s vital for our existence. When you get sick or injured, you look at the healthcare system to help you. You want to trust the system. If something happens, you want to receive decent care. “That time” could be even in your first day in Denmark, making access to the healthcare system essential for your survival.

However, there are problems. Some of you had a bad experience on your first contact with the healthcare system. Others wanted to use it, but stopped because you were too anxious (not being able to speak Danish). There seems to be a gap between the international community and the healthcare system that needs to be filled.

High angle close up of two wooden toothbrushes and pills in metal box.

Reduce medicine waste

The cost of medicine is a heavy burden on the Regional budget. In 2021, we allocated 125 million dkk to keep up with the rising usage and costs. 50 million more than in 2019. The burden is projected to increase in the next few years, leaving little room for other initiatives. Therefore, we need to create a “reduce medicine waste” alliance with the educational and business sector. Stimulate healthcare professionals to identify points of medicine waste. Organize hack-a-tons and other similar events to discover potential solutions.

Preventive medicine, handing a personalized health plan to a client

Personalized medicine

The DNA sequencing technology allows you access to know your potential health issues, to see exactly what medicine works for you and what genetic diseases you should focus on preventing. The DNA-file is the basis of personalized medicine, which translates to better healthcare and less waste. We need to finance the National Genome Institute, in order to give a DNA-file to every citizen that wants it. These DNA-files are treated as any other healthcare data in Denmark - they are private and can only be used at the request of the patient.

Doctor consulting with patient examining for patient

Increase sensibility

There are reports of bad treatment in the healthcare system, if you don’t speak Danish, are not Danish or wear certain religious symbols. We need to address these issues and prepare the medical staff to deal with non-Danish patients. Therefore, sensibility courses for the medical staff are necessary, to increase their cultural understanding and empathy.

Increase accessibility

A multilingual guide to the healthcare system should be sent on eBOKS to every newcomer. There it should be explained how the healthcare system works and what is the healthcare culture, to avoid misunderstandings.

Focus on prevention and mental health

Another way to reduce medicine waste is to focus on reducing the number of patients with “preventable diseases”, by organizing campaigns on healthy lifestyles and by developing an app that can encourage such lifestyles through gamification (inspired from a Dutch initiative). Also, mental health programs (that help citizens deal with stress, depression, angst, etc.) should be expanded, so that non-Danish speakers can also benefit.

International Clinic

There is a shortage of family doctors and other medical staff in North Denmark. As an international, if you want to work in the Danish healthcare system, you need to first learn the language and the culture. Considering the shortage, we should open an International Clinic in Nørresundby, where English-speaking family doctors can work part-time (while learning the language and culture).

Inclusion and Representation

We, as internationals (people without Danish citizenship), represent almost 10% of the North Denmark population. However, we are not visible. We don’t participate in the decision-making process (no internationals elected in local councils and other institutions; voting presence under 20%). We don’t share our diverse cultures to enrich the local society. We barely participate in civil society (only some of us are members in associations). To organize, to participate, to contribute – are three verbs that define integration into the Danish society.

The system is built in such a way, to give priority to those who organize. If you don’t organize, then your issues will never be heard. Ever since, I discovered that we have political rights in Denmark, I never stopped advocating for their use. Only we can make our life in Denmark better.

Portrait Of Multi-Cultural Children Hanging Out With Friends In Countryside Together

Support the cultural diversity of the Region

We have 155 different ethnic groups living in North Denmark. However, this rich diversity is not reflected in the cultural life. We need to encourage the different ethnic groups to display their culture for all of us to enjoy (Danes and non-Danes). Therefore, a financing line for such cultural events needs to be made available.

“Break the loneliness” program

More people than ever are living alone in Denmark. Loneliness has become a societal problem that needs to be addressed. One way to contribute towards reducing loneliness, is by matching newcomers that need housing (especially the ones on very low income) with locals that have space and want the company.

Select language. Learning, translate languages or audio guide co

Mother Language Initiative

According to the law, if there are 12 children in the same municipality, that desire to learn their mother language, they should be able to. However, very few municipalities have implemented this law. We need to tell parents about this opportunity and show them how they can ask for it.

Accessible voting initiative

All the non-Danes should receive a bilingual eBOKS mail, that informs them about their political rights in Denmark and the institutions they can vote and candidate for. Also, in the voting sections, there should be bilingual instructions and at least one person in the staff should speak English and know about the political rights of the non-Danes.

Traditional dutch buildings, in Amsterdam

Establish the International Council of North Denmark

An advisory body for the Regional Council made from representatives of the largest ethnic groups in the region. Why? To ensure that the will of the internationals is also considered in the adopted strategies.

“Discover Nordjylland” welcome package

When a newcomer arrives in North Denmark, they should receive in the eBOKS, a handbook about everything there is to know on the Danish society rules and customs (in their own language) and tickets to different cultural experiences. Also, an “integration” app should be created, that can match locals (volunteers) and newcomers, like a “buddy” program.

Inclusion through sport associations program

Every newcomer to North Denmark should receive a gift card covering one year membership in any sport association from the region. There should be a complete guide of all the sport associations easily accessible in multiple languages. Why? By participating in sport activities together with the locals, the newcomer will develop friendships and expand the network, making it easier to become part of the society.

Fair Digitalization

All public service applications made by the state, should be at least bilingual (if possible multilingual) and they should not require a Danish passport to have access to them. The healthcare apps should be multilingual to avoid as much as possible the need for a translator. The digital driver license should be accessible without a Danish passport, just like the physical one is.

Welcome back! Note is written on a white sticker that hangs with a clothespin on a rope on a

“Once a Nordjyde, always a Nordjyde'' diaspora program

Once you spend a few years in North Denmark, you establish roots here. Even if you move away, you will always have a connection. Therefore, we should establish a “Nordjyde” diaspora program, meant to encourage those that moved away to maintain their connection with North Denmark and to promote the region.