Values

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

Young people are too free
"The level of liberalism for youth, espeacially in Folk-high-schools is too much. Smoking, drinking and at times refusing to listen to the advise of their parents and moving out to stay independently at very early age, because of what their friends are doing, is very dangerous and could be an eplanation for the high rate of suicide and drug-adicts. The youth shoudnt indulge into heavy drinking and smoking in early ages because it is not good for their health and the health of their future off-springs."
Rita Drania Popo, Uganda 

Machines replacing people
"Computers and high tech machines are replacing people. So the chances of getting jobs are minimising. The new open European Market concept has created uncertainty to the people. Therefore, people are worried how they get jobs in the competitive market."
Prem Prasad Timsina, Nepal 

Danish society has to develop human values
"A thing I would not like to take home is the fact that tecnology is becoming more important than human beings. Democracy and development are good, but not to the extremes, such as having a machine as a substitute for friends or family. Danish society has to develop human values and they have to be more concious about what is happening in all the world, I am sure that they have the facilities to do so."
Mariana Diaz Arita, Honduras 

Preserving the culture
"The pride of it all, if you ask me, is the effort Danes have put in preserving their culture and traditions. Ancient buildings nearly four hundred years old are well kept and preserved. [….] As a matter of fact, the scenery of Copenhagen is itself replete with buildings that if it were Nairobi, they would have long been condemned and mowed down. Kenya's destruction of its cultural heritage is a shameful monstrosity. I loved to stroll into all the municipality halls - from Helsingor, to Aalborg, Odense and the Danish Folketing - ancient architecture that tells the story of a people in love with their history. And all in a glance. The polish of their inside more than makes up for the uninspiring external look. If the adoration and worth of old things is awarded in medals, the Danes have the Gold. That I admire."
David Makali, Kenya 

Difficult to be different
"I wander how difficult really is for the youngsters of both countries Denmarc and El Salvador, to be different and keep like that. I just know how difficult if was for me, but things change in a matter of ten years - since I was younger - and the youngs aren´t afraid of be killed anymore, but there are still old fears, and old pressures such like the pressure of get a job, of be responsible, and bla bla bla... Of course, there´s always other people insisting or creating false responsabilities and false needings upon us. That´s why I liked so much to sheer with all of you. It was wonderful to find some youg girls and boys who are diferent of the rest, and also proud of who and how they are. I think the hopes of Denmark for the next century aren`t in the danes who can´t look more far than their own belly. True hopes are in fresh minds, open minds, curious minds, people who is interested in another people but themselves. Keep ahead, don´t ignore the differences between people, but use them as your richest and most wonderful recource."
José Mario Pineda, El Salvador 

The fight for big and small things
"It worries me that the Danish individual will go to lengths to fight for ones right to have ones choice of colour of roof, but not put up a real fight for the right of mental patients to be able to live and receive the necessary attention in residential institutions. I remember that quite some years ago in Nepal we had a discussion on the shocking news that Denmark was going to close down residential services for mental patients because of cut down in budgets. Yet during my visit to Denmark, I find that there is a surplus of everything even by Danish standards. People are still complaining about not having enough budget for an extra sports stadium or renovation of old residential buildings. Where was the Danish spirit that fought for equality and established this role model infrastructure for democracy when the mental patients needed a voice? Was it not a more worthwhile cause than having a red roof instead of a yellow roof?
[…..]
The Danes invest so much in renovation of old buildings. Yet there is no culture of respecting and recognising the senior citizens for what they are worth. The youth are certainly important but the root of where they come from surely must be as important. Why do the Danes ignore the treasure of wisdom, knowledge and experience they have in the senior people? These are the people who have struggled, invested and laid the strong foundation for the role model democracy they have today and yet it seems that the credit is not being given where it is due. It is sad because the Danes are losing out so much by doing this."
Kesang Renchen, Tibet/ Nepal 

Immigrants are not treated as first class Danes
"The most sentimental discussion was with the immigrant council. The 2^nd generation Danes feel they are not accepted and treated as a 1^st class Dane. They cannot compete equally in the Labour market despite their qualifications, a preference will always favour the 1^st class Danes. This particular situation put many of us in tears. As a matter of fact this is a global situation even in our countries of origin.

However, at every level of interaction people always feel they are marginalised and probably that is why Danish democracy is so institutionalised. In my opinion this has only reduced the problem but has not solved the problem because marginalisation is broad in scope. It may be between the rich and the poor, the refugee or immigrant and the 1^st class citizens of any country or society, employers and workers, single mothers and children, politicians and ordinary citizens. Therefore marginalisation is a global problem which may only be solved by putting ourselves in the position of the marginalise and make decision from that point of view."
Rita Drania Popo, Uganda