Move over Little Mermaid ? Aspects of Denmark

Résumé du document

As the press article from The Copenhagen Post underlines, Denmark is often considered, as a quaint and a bit out-fashioned country, symbolized by the 'hygge', the famous Danish lifestyle. Even if it is a small country, not so well known by the French, it is an example for the social system, which is mentioned by the mass media. At the time of the presidential campaign in France in 2007, the media and the candidates often relied on the Danish policy, in particular about employment, and how Denmark has succeeded to reduce its unemployment by half in few years, passing of more than 12% in 1993 with less than 6% today. French mass media talk about that success as the 'Danish miracle'. One year ago, after the election of Nicolas Sarkozy as President of the French Republic, it wanted to implement many reforms. Media presented the Danish model for the French government to follow. What they presented is how to reach their economic dynamism, to have a very flexible workforce without a strict legislation and without problems, security to employees. For several months, reporters talked a lot about the 'flex-security' system, which is doing well but cannot be applied to the French case due to the too important power of the trade unions.

Extraits

[...] Although Denmark has a positive image in France, it has to radically improve it and renovate it to make it modern. For French people, it is necessary to show them that Denmark is a dynamic country and how the efficiency is high (especially about technologies and ecology). Of course, it is an example in several sectors (e.g. the public sector which is really efficient), moreover, responsible about the environment. It is on that the Danish authorities must emphasize. Abroad, Denmark seems to be an immobilized country whereas this is wrong. [...]

[...] As a survey shows, made for this plan per cent indicated they were either 'satisfied' or 'very satisfied' with their stay in Denmark[8]. The country should launch a campaign in different parts of the world, especially in American and in Asia. For this people, Denmark is a real exotic experience and well-located in Europe. Furthermore, the country can create a new type of tourism, the “ecological tourism”. Even if Denmark is considered as quaint, it is a country which is in motion. [...]

[...] Compared to France, it is very important: of French employees joined a trade union[1]. That is why French media refer to the Danish case about labor unions, because they can make compromise to reform the society. To conclude with the positive image, we can affirm that Denmark is shown as a country loving the design and, for example, it is very recognized to buy Bang & Olufsen's products. In France, this company is the symbol of Denmark. As written in an article from Echos” (French financial daily newspaper), B&O is famous for his recognized quality of manufacture and is still a reference as regards the design[2]. [...]

[...] According to this plan, the Danes will consume 15% in less fossil fuel in 20 years. And, to decrease the dependence of these fuels, it will devote 134 million Euros per year to technological research like that on biological fuel[7]. Finally, in 2009, Copenhagen will host the Climate World Summit. Of course, Denmark should really develop and increase this environmentally conscious image all around the world. Another point that Denmark has really to develop: tourism. It is necessary to find the good target and to attract it in the Danish touristy places. [...]

[...] Move over Little Mermaid Aspects of Denmark As the press article from The Copenhagen Post underlines, Denmark is often considered, as a quaint and a bit out-fashioned country, symbolized by the the famous Danish lifestyle. Even if it is a small country, not so well known by the French, it is an example for the social system, which is really mentioned by the mass media. At the time of the presidential campaign in France in 2007, the media and the candidates (i.e. [...]