Day 7: Thursday, June 11

We had an honor to start our day in the astonishingly decorated Folketing (Parliament). There, we were introduced with a lecture about the Danish Parliamentary traditions by Jette Nedergaard and Maiken Bork Clausen. Although sitting at the “opposition table”, we felt that there is nothing to oppose to after such a clear, exhaustive and interesting hour of conversation.

Afterwards, we had the opportunity to meet Line Barfod, who has been a Member of Parliament for almost 8 years now for the party ‘Enhedslisten’. She made some really good points backed up with perfectly valid examples. Among them, she singled out how important it is for democracy, and not the market, to be the decision-maker. The experience has proven that the chase for instant profit, at which market aims, brings more problems than benefits in the long run.



After the morning spent in The Danish Parliament, we were headed towards Danish Institute for Human Rights. We actually started to feel almost at home, since we have spent the last three days there enjoying our lectures, as well as lunch and coffee breaks. During the breaks, we have the chance to chat and get to know each other. Experiencing such a diversity of cultural backgrounds in just one room leaves one amazed and breathless.

It was in that atmosphere that we awaited for the lecture “Free speech in a globalized world – beyond the Muhammed Cartoon Crisis” given by Flemming Rose and Michael Rothstein. During those two hours we contemplated and discussed about the interference of the right of the freedom of speech and the right not to be offended. How and where one draws the line? Michael Rothstein made one definitely “awakening” remark, which can be used as a guideline – what is the goal of one´s speech, where is it heading to? He also pointed out that, although the globalized reality gives us a great spectrum of information and understanding (gathered through media, internet), we must preserve and value the importance of a two-way operation. No matter how broad our globalized view is, in an unknown territory we have no choice but to depend on the locals who have the knowledge of the “system” which dominates in that specific spot. By having this in mind, it would be easier to establish equality among people, and thus guarantee the rights of all humankind, which HIA programs persistently try to implant into the attitudes of their fellows.



The speakers also laud education as precondition to an open and tolerant society. It is, indeed, crucial to be well informed in order to decrease the level of misunderstandings and offences between people of different religions, cultures, races etc. It doesn´t have to be the “to know is to love” situation, but “to know is to respect” would do just fine.

AND, not to forget – we finished off our day in Christiania, the (self-proclaimed) autonomous neighborhood covering 34 hectares in the borough of Christianshavn. There, Rasmus was kind to give us one unscheduled but extremely useful lecture (as seen in the photo).



Also, it must be emphasized - Rasmus, as well as Shayne, must be given credit, since they have been remarkably organized, cautious, kind and caring towards the fellows.
So, from Parliament to Christiania in one day – hence, HIA Copenhagen Program 2009 leaves you anticipating the extraordinary for the next day.

-Inga and Jacob