Purpose: ”Engage in Copenhagen” was a three year inclusion programme, designed to function as a catalyst for the Municipality of Copenhagen’s new inclusion policy and vision for the city, from 2011-2014, which replaced “integration” with “inclusion.”
The goal of the ”Engage in Copenhagen” programme was to start a number of initiatives with the common aim of making Copenhagen an open and inclusive city that welcomes diversity and fosters intercultural coexistence. Copenhagen’s Mayor for Employment and integration, Anna Mee Allerslev said: “Just like the climate movement, the diversity movement has a severe impact on our growth and quality of life. And just like there is no reasonable alternative to green energy, there is no reasonable alternative to growth through diversity.”
Stimulus/Rationale: From 2011-14, the vision of the municipality of Copenhagen was to become “the most inclusive city in Europe - based on trust and active citizenship.”
Process: Four strategic pillars guided the city into achieving its vision of becoming the most inclusive city in Europe. The city aimed at systematically engage partners such as companies, educational institutions, the media, as well religious and minority associations, and those that inform the public. Ali Sufi, Vice Chair of the Danish Ethnic Youth Council showed his full support for the programme. He said: “On the Danish Young People’s Council we support the municipality’s initiative and look forward to take an active part in the work of Engage in Copenhagen on the road to a more diverse Copenhagen, which is really an extension of the work of New Danish Young People’s Council, with its focus on inclusion and recognition.
Engage in Copenhagen also sought to promote relationships between children, parents and neighbours to create a safe city characterized by familiarity, understanding and tolerance amongst its citizens. During an interview, Anna Mee Allerslev echoed the importance of building a social fabric, she said: “Inclusion is a feeling of belonging. That is if you feel like a Copenhagener, you are included in the city”.
The last two strategic levels were combatting discrimination and exclusion and spreading further knowledge about the rights in relation to discrimination and equality of treatment. The city hosted information and attitude campaigns to put a stop to discrimination, including a hotline for support to victims. The Diversity Charter and its Diversity Board were central to the Engage in Copenhagen Campaign.The Diversity charter followed the example of the charter adopted in London. Signatories affirm the three guiding principles than inform Copenhagen approach to govern the campaign: diversity is a strength; everyone should have the chance to participate and being an involved citizen is everybody’s concern. To date 500 businesses and associations have signed the charter.
Impact: The expected impact was to create and inclusive and intercultural city.
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