The Scandinavian Way of Life - Introduction

Quality of life is not only inspired of economic prosperity, but indeed also the place of livings social and political conditions. The two countries – Denmark and Sweden – ranks at the top of the world list of nations able to provide for the basic social and material needs of their citizens. Both countries are internationally recognised as welfare states. Thus the Region being part of both countries, enjoy the status of one of the world’s best places to live.

The Oresund area is one of the world’s richest and most well organised societies. GDP of almost USD 100 billion and 3.2 million inhabitants give the area a GDP per capita of over USD 30,000. But the region is not only a good place to do work in - it is also a great place to live in. Safety, cheap housing, quality hospitals, excellent international schools, a good range of cultural and leisure activities and direct access to varied natural environments are among the factors which make the Region unique, not only seen with European eyes, but on a world-wide scale.

It is generally recognised that in particular for families, it is difficult to find anything to match the "Scandinavian way of life". Personal security is in priority. A sense of safety and security is deeply rooted in the Oresund Region. Children can safely travel alone to school, to visit friends, to afternoon sports and to other children’s functions. Business people do not surround themselves with bodyguards. You can walk safely in the streets as the crime level is one of Europe's lowest. Queen Margrethe II can walk around Copenhagen shops with a minimum of security, the national parliament is open to all and ministers are often seen on foot or on bicycle in the streets of the city. This means freedom.

Housing is inexpensive compared to other European urban centres. The health care system is also state-financed. Both inpatient and outpatient hospital care is by and large free for residents, and the same applies to general physician appointments.

State education is free and of high quality. University education is free at all levels and students can even obtain grants to cover some of their Cost-of-Living expenses. A variety of public -, and private international schools have included the International Bachelor grade to their offer of grades. Private school fees are low, as education is subsidised by the state.

The combination of Scandinavian efficiency and European charm may be one of the significant reasons for the Human Capital’s ability to attract international congresses. The Human Capital is one of the world's fastest growing congress facilitaters and is today the leading conference venue in northern Europe. The latest statistics from the Union of International Associations show that Copenhagen is now the sixth largest congress-city in terms of congress events.

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Even though the Copenhagen / Malmo-Lund area is not among the largest metropolitan regions in Europe, it does have a pronounced international atmosphere. The cultural life of the cities, theatres, museums, evening classes, sports clubs, etc. is rated as one of the most extensive per capita in not only Europe, but world-wide.

The Human Capital is many things - open and outward going in the summer, quieter and slightly inward-looking in the winter months when most of the Cities activities retreat indoors, where the ancient Danish cult of "hygge" is indulged in. Hygge – sort of a cosy getting-together – not possible to translate satisfactory - is a special feeling of warmth and cosiness with drink and good food added! Frothy large glasses are lifted and a hearty "skål" (Cheers!) - one expression of this utterly Danish htgge-custom. In the summer, hygge is cultivated in the Old City of Copenhagen, where people gather at the many open-air cafees and pavement bistroes or in the famous pleasure garden Tivoli. Each summer, music festivals are celebrated all over the Region. The Copenhagen Jazz Festival, the Roskilde Festival (rock music) and the Malmo Festival (combined folk-, entertainment and music festival) held each summer, attract large and international audiences.

In the Human Capital and environs, you can enjoy more than 80 museums and sights, such as Kronborg, the castle of Shakespeare' s Hamlet, Malmöhus, the oldest renaissance castle in Scandinavia and the private art gallery Louisiana in Humlebæk, north of Copenhagen, one of Europe's leading galleries for modern art.

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Nature and Environmental Protection

Copenhagen is Europe's greenest capital city. 15% of the city is parkland and due to its comprehensive public transport system, cleanliness, and strict anti-pollution laws, the typical drawbacks of other metropolises such as heavy traffic jams and pollution, are very limited in Copenhagen.

Internationally, the Oresund Region comes forward as a green region. Denmark was the first country in the world to implement legislation for environmental protection back in 1973. The European Environment Agency has also chosen to locate in Copenhagen.

Both the Danes and the Swedes cherish their national environments and in few other places you will find nature to be so well protected. Throughout society, there is special emphasis on protection of the environments through regulations governing purification of wastes, and taxes, which discourage and preclude use of environmentally hazardous substances. As a significant gain from these efforts, the private sector, as well as the public, has built up an important capacity for Environmental Technology and know-how which has become a valuable export commodity.

Denmark designs and manufactures 60% of the world's windmills. More than 80% of household waste, which is not recycled, is incinerated and the waste transformed into household heating. And 98% of all households are connected to a wastewater treatment plant, the highest rate in the world.

The increasing concern about nature protection and animal welfare has also created the environmentally conscious consumer. Since 1995, organically produced foodstuffs such as dairy produce, eggs, and bread have increased in popularity and it is expected, that organic milk sales will increase to a 50% of total milk sales in the coming years.

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Expatriate in the Region

In spite of the Oresund Region’s modest size by geography, it is by no means a closed or isolated culture that you are about to settle in. The size of the country has made international involvement natural and the Danes and Swedes are internationally known to be open-minded.

The Swedes and Danes themselves travel exyencively abroad quite a lot and many are very interested in learning more about other cultures and customs. Close to 100% of the population in the Oresund Region speak English and several masters two or three of the main international languages.

The Oresund is a safe, friendly and attractive region with housing to fit all tastes and a broad range of leisure activities. Relocation programs help international executives and their families to settle down. Relocation service can be anything from organizing work permits, briefing on taxation conditions, home search conditions, finding the right school and playgroup, receiving advise on bank products, insurance, etc. The introduction of the family to social clubs, leisure activities and other expatriate families in the region has high priority, as well as caring for more personal needs such as contact to doctors and specialists.

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The expatriate community

There is a thriving international community around the Human Capital. Rotary International Club, the Danish-American Business Forum, the American Club and the British Business Luncheon Club are natural centres for socialising for business executives. There are numerous social clubs for foreigners. The English Speaking Union (ESU), whose protector is the Danish Princess Alexandra who is herself from Hong Kong, the Danish-Irish Society, and St. Andrew's Society are only a few of dozens of such clubs. Of women's clubs, American Women's Club, Ladies International Network Copenhagen (LINK), and International Women's Club (IWC) are established in the region.

Most embassies have their own social and cultural activities. The Cultural Federation of Foreign Societies (KUKS) is formed by a co-operation among 87 foreign cultural societies representing all five continents in the world. KUKS arrange numerous large-scale social and cultural activities.

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The main principle underlining the Health Care System is to give the same good quality of care to all its citizens regardless of economic standing. In accordance with this, health care is provided free of charge to all citizens and residents. This cost is financed by taxes. EU residents gain immediate access to the Health Care System while US citizens have a 6 weeks quarantine. Free dental care and school doctor services are available to all school age children (up to 15 years). The general practicioner (læge) is the central person in the Danish Health system. He or she takes care of the basic examinations and treatments and will refer you to a specialist or a hospital if needed. Dental treatment is partly covered by the Health Care Insurance, the rest is paid by the patient. Free dental care and school doctor services are available to all school age children (up to 15 years).

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Copenhagen has 10 international schools that offer a curriculum based on the English, German, French or Japanese educational systems. Where English is concerned, education is available from kindergarten up to and including University level. They are fee-paying, and most of them receive a fee from the Danish government, thus making them cheaper than most international schools in other countries. There is usually a very wide range of nationalities among students.

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Children's life in Denmark

If you are living in the Oresund Region with small children you will find that they are welcome in many public spaces, such as museums. Even in department stores, you will find diaper-changing facilities available at the ladies room. Some of the English-speaking organisations also run play groups and mother and baby groups for very young children. Many libraries have excellent children's sections containing many books in English. During the winter months, cultural activities are held at the libraries, including children's films.

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Leisure time activities

Access to nature and leisure activities is another great advantage. It is always easy to get out to the water, and sailing, angling and windsurfing are among the most popular leisure activities in the region. The Øresund region also has 80 golf courses, many of which are open all year round. And if it is the wilderness you are into, it is just a couple of hours’ drive to vast forests and peaceful lakes. The beaches extending for miles along the west coast of Jutland with their pure white sand are a major attraction.

We are not short on culture either, with Copenhagen and Malmö as the region’s natural centres. Whether you are after opera, ballet, art, classical music, jazz, rock or techno, cinema, the circus, cycle racing or tango, this is the place to be.

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In Denmark and Sweden there is freedom of religion. 92% of the Danes are members of the Lutheran Evangelical Church. Danes and Swedes are tolerant and have great respect for the right to privacy. There are 12 recognised religious organisations and 56 communities with authority to celebrate a wedding. Among them is the Copenhagen International Church, which represents a wide diversity in denominational background, culture, and nationality. Its mission is to provide interdenominational Christian worship and programs for the English-speaking Community in Copenhagen. There are six English-speaking churches in Copenhagen (Lutheran, Baptist, Anglican Episcopalian, and 3 Roman Catholic churches).

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