A diary of Democracy in Denmark

Anders Fogh Rasmussen Danish Prime Minister, claims that Denmark is one of the most democratic countries in the world. This made MS Denmark invite fifteen young people from all around the world to Denmark to travel across the country and seek answers from the Danes themselves about whether Demark is truly as democratic as their Prime Minister says.

By Babu Ram Devkota, Palpa

10. February 2009

19^th Aug: A female priest and a view of the judicial system

It was the first day of hitchhiking. I had to reach Viborg by 12:30 a.m., where we had planned to meet at Viborg Church. We had to meet a lady Priest, very interesting for me as I was the only participant in my group who was not a Christian. After a long effort, we finally reached Viborg, where the exploration of Danish democracy began.

The lady priest was very happy to welcome us there and she was happy with her job. For her it was more like a profession than serving god, which was very interesting. She was well paid and was free to take decisions regarding her job even to quit her position at any time. This made me feel that if democracy is well functioning at the micro-level, it secures everyone’s freedom and equity.

After the church, we had a discussion with a female lawyer of Viborg court. It was very exciting to hear that there was very few pending cases in the court to be decided. Unlike in our country, the major cases related to divorce, property and violating the traffic rules. The most important thing for me about the Danish judiciary system was that common people have a significant role during case hearing as jury and that maximum time for giving verdict is just 37 days!!!

Danish law and judiciary system has secured everyone’s legal right. I found that law and order functioned smoothly without corruption and that people believe and trust judges. But I could not find answer to the high number of divorces. Why are Danes unhappy together when they have one of the most developed and democratic countries!!!?

21^st Aug: A very special village

It was a long journey from Aalborg before reaching Frøstrup. Along with the Spanish team mate, I had to change cars twice to reach there. One driver was a businessman and he thought the tax system should be changed, in contradiction to most of Danes who seem happy about it.

I was really amazed seeing the lifestyle of people who are living in this village, as it is different from that of other Danes. People are drunk almost all the time, things are scattered everywhere and most surprisingly, people don’t work. They take drugs, (though not hard ones according to one young boy) and hashish and they are free to do so. The most striking thing was government policy, which respects the way they live and has made separate rules and regulations for them. This rule is applicable just to them and the state is paying for them. When asked about their interest in living such life they said they were happier and more tension-free than other Danes.

I along with my Spanish and English friends went to stay with some disable people who were living together. It was very surprising to see that they were self-reliant. They were earning their living by selling their own handicraft products. They had a better social life and, to me, they were more intelligent than able people. They were happy with the state and everything available to them.

25^th August: The freedom of the Danish education system

I, along with my Danish team leaders, had a long wait before reaching Nørre Aaby. We had lunch together with the students there and afterwards we discussed the education system in Denmark and finally we had presentation in the classes.

The education system in Denmark is very different from the on of Nepal. Here a student can study what he/she likes. Parents are supported by the government financially for their children’s education. And in the school, the students have freedom. I didn’t see students wearing particular uniforms; they can wear whatever they like. Students are also encouraged to decide about future career according to their own interest. For me, everything was different and surprising. Personally I have had to study Engineering though I was not good in mathematics.

On the same day we went to Odense where we visited a club that was trying to integrate the immigrants to the Danish society. Most of the immigrants were Muslims so social integration was not easy. The people there were happy with all the government’s facilities but socially they were not bound with Danes. One of the immigrants termed his life as "imprisoned".

The Danish government has provided enough facilities for the immigrants. But social integration was not as strong as I expected. In a way, I agree with the statement of my Spanish friend who termed this "the dark side of Danish democracy".

27^th Aug: Working and striking at the same time

Though I was suffering from fever, it was a very an interesting journey as I got the chance to meet three nurses on the way who told about their strike a year ago. They had been on strike because of their salary. However, the most surprising thing was that the Danish nurses and doctors were doing emergency work during the strike!!