The system

Go to Glossary for a list of translated words - marked with a star in the text. 

Government right in their hands
"By look of things Danish government is dictatorial, as the state seem to be in each and every facet of peoples activity of the people, and life so much institutionalised. But going deeper one will actually realise that people have government right in their own hands.
[…]
Let me say that to me Democracy is more of participation of people than it is a government. It is an inborn quality and characteristic in Danish Democracy that people are consulted, people are given opportunity to express their views thus limiting power that politicians may have. Well, that is good, but do Danes ever think of the mystery underlying this political tranquillity they enjoy so much, which is a very rare commodity in many countries including my own?
Sofonea Shale, Lesotho 

Danes should export the formula for democracy
"There is no reason why Danes should not vigorously export the formula of their functional democracy that could save many societies from grinding poverty and civil strife. It will be their greatest contribution to the world."
[…….]
"What will happen to Danes when their huge and efficient government systems collapse? The kindergatern, the daycare centre, the folk high school, the cooperatives, the sports clubs, the resident councils, the home for the elderly? It is easy to say that then, there will be no Danes left, and so why worry. But, unconsciously, it is this dependence on this efficient system of providing for everyone's needs that have produced a certain sense of heartlessness in the common Dane. What is owed to a fellow human being in love, care and social responsibility is paid to the state, the central provider, from which everybody plucks their needs. Except that it has led to a visible breakdown in social bonds and plummeting levels of happiness and a sense of fulfillment among many people.
David Makali, Kenya 

A mother paid to look after her child
"At the public meeting in Aabenraa we had been discussing about the priority that parents gave to their personal freedom in comparison to being with their children. The discussion went on to how the social and work pressure made it difficult for parents to actually have the time to spend with their children. Then a gentleman unwittingly dropped what was almost a bombshell in the perspective of us coming from the south...he said, 'Well there is something being done about it now. In one of the areas further up north the Council has discussed paying mothers so that they can stay back and look after their children.' I am a mother, I felt hurt like never before and it touched where it hurt the most - my heart. My young friend from Honduras, a young girl who is very close to her mother then just burst out with a gasp, 'What are you saying? A mother to be paid to look after her own child!!!'

It struck me later that this was what I would identify as one of the most difficult culture shocks, not because the Dansk are inhuman, but just the twist of irony that fate plays when human beings get too mechanised and caught up in the system. However, it made me think..... Logically and with cool clinical precision the Dansk mother or father has the right to get back ‘his/her’ money so that they can look after their children after all it is ‘their’ money and they are not actually getting ‘paid’ by anybody to look after their children."
Kesang Renchen, Tibet/ Nepal 

Democracy is for all
"One thing I would really like to take home is that in Denmark democracy is not just for the majority, but for all. I thin that in Centralamerica we need to learn that democracy is not just for the upperclass. Democracy is build to take care of everybody´s opinion in a decision. I´ve seen that in DK minorities are also important because they are participating in politics, they have access to information and education. Even when danish democracy is not perfect, it has a high level of respect and tolerance and it is possible to just listen to eachother.

In our contries we have to understandt that development is not possible without democracy, a democracy that offers same rigths and conditions for everybody not just for rich and powerfull persons, which is happening in Centralamerica today, wher marginalization is taking us to the social chaos.

The danish society has to appreciate what they have course it took a lot of time and a lot of sacrifice, but the new generations might not think about that at all."
Mariana Diaz Arita, Honduras 

The Danish democracy is still better
" My observation is that Denmark has a strong framework of its Democracy but there are still some areas to be looked on seriously. There is a hearing system in the decision making process and people can influence on the decisions in the Danish Democracy. However, in real life situation it is a complicated process. Some times decisions are made before hearing. Some times people are asked for their opinion but their opinions are not incorporated. Many times decisions are made without hearing peoples' perceptions.

The government bureaucracy, the civic societies and volunteering organisations seem to be only democratic within the boundary of its' rules and regulations. However, the decisions are never influenced when people come with different opinions that are out of the boundary. The central, regional and local governments are there to provide the basic services to the citizens in the Danish Democracy. The education, social security and health care services are provided to the people by the government. This has created dependency syndrome to the people and the parents' role has been replaced by the state.

However, the Danish Democracy is still better compared to other parts of the world. The government is fair and has utilised its resources democratically. The people are able maintain a standard of living fulfilling the basic human needs. All citizens have rights to express their feelings. The media is the watchdog to maintain the Danish Democracy. They are neither politically bias nor corrupted. Therefore they flow the true information to the people to keep up the spirit of Democracy. Denmark has lots of resources, good infrastructure and highly committed people. They are interested to learn and share knowledges from the south. Therefore, there is sufficient scope for Denmark to add quality in its Democracy and be a 'Democracy model' in the world."
Prem Prasad Timsina, Nepal 

Pillars of democracy
"It is one hundred and fifty years ago that the bases for democracy was laid in Denmark. Alot has been achieved in relation to development of democratic culture in the Danish society which led to perfection of the Danish democratic system. This achievement was based on what i will term as the pillars of democracy i.e transparency, information, commitment to work, civic associations, and well established welfare system."
Rita Drania Popo, Uganda