Photograph: Pexels
Text: Lyndsay Jensen
Dear readers
Are you an EU citizen living in Denmark? My editor's note this month is dedicated to those of us who have a voice in our adoptive country. Why is this important? Well, we all should recognise the power we hold in shaping our future. Whether you've been here for years or just arrived, your voice matters!
Did you know that Denmark is home to around 250,000 non-Danish EU residents? That's a pretty sizable chunk of the population, right? And guess what? Each of us has the right to get involved and make our voices heard in the democratic process.
As EU citizens living in Denmark, we are given some exceptional rights compared to other countries. We're talking about freedom of speech, the right to gather, and the ability to join forces and make some noise about the things that matter most to us (I personally will be protesting alongside #enmillionstemmer for handicap rights in May, but that's a story for another day). And trust me, with the decisions being made in the EU Parliament affecting everything from handicap rights to the economy, our voices couldn't be more important right now.
Here's the thing: When we come together and speak up about the issues that matter to us, we're a force to be reckoned with - I mean, just look at our international community, it's amazingly strong. Whether it's pushing for social justice or demanding fairer treatment for everyone, our collective voice can become a powerful tool for change. Our newest writer, Thorbern Alexander Klingert, is a European Parliament candidate and will be guiding us through the election process in the next few issues – remember to look at his latest article in this issue, aptly entitled Empowering your voice. But it's not just about making noise for the sake of it. By participating in the EU elections, we're sending a powerful message about the kind of world we want to live in. We're showing that diversity and inclusivity aren't just buzzwords or something to be feared – they're essential values that should be reflected in our political landscape now more than ever. Here's a sobering fact: In the 2019 EU elections, the voter turnout in Denmark was only 66.1%, slightly below the EU average of 50.6%. This means that there's room for improvement, and it starts with us.
So, as we gear up for the big day, let's make an effort to get informed, get involved, and, most importantly, get out there and vote! Whether you're passionate about climate action, human rights, or something else entirely, your vote matters. And together, we can make a real difference in shaping Europe's future.
In the end, it's up to us to make our voices heard. So, let's roll up our sleeves, have those conversations, and show up at the polls ready to make our mark as EU internationals. Because when we stand together living in Denmark, there's no limit to what we can achieve.
Let's make it count!