Ladies and gentlemen, dear Goodwill Ambassadors

Another year has passed since we met at the Carlsberg Academy, and here we are in 2150 Nordhavn – the newest postal code in Denmark - in this extraordinary building, The Silo: thank you to our host, Klaus Kastbjerg and his partners who have also joined us here tonight.

I also welcome the Prime Minister who joins us tonight: I see your participation as a sign of gratitude and of keen interest in the work and network of this particular forum.

It is a pleasure to see you all again – and of course to see new faces too: regeneration is one of the most important factors of continuity!

Each year I look forward to this dinner, to learn more about what has happened in your circles since I last saw you and to hear what’s on your agendas.

It is so enriching and inspirational to know that Denmark and Copenhagen can lean on this amazing network of Danes willing to spend private time and energy to contribute to the growth of our nation. Your work is more important than ever before. In this globalised world, competition has become fiercer and fiercer. A small country like Denmark must take advantage of all opportunities and all the assistance we can get. This is where the Goodwill Ambassadors come into play, as you have proven to hold lots of different resources, that time after time have proven valuable for our country. It is admirable that you feel such a strong attachment to Denmark, even though many of you haven’t lived here for many years.

A couple of years ago, at Amalienborg, I talked to you about the fact that you are pointed out as goodwill ambassadors to Copenhagen, but that the totality of Danes abroad, numbering around 200.000, can be a great asset to bring into play. If these Danes were willing to invest themselves similarly to you, then I truly believe that Denmark would be all over on the world map. In this global world of competition, it is crucial to set in motion all available resources and expand networks in order to get out on top and to stay there!

In this respect I am happy to re-emphasize that the Youth Goodwill Ambassador initiative, which started in your midst, is expanding successfully and more importantly: it is already starting to pay off. Danish universities are attracting ever more students from abroad, and a large number of those take pleasure in promoting Denmark and Copenhagen and the plusses that go with or come from living here.

Dear Goodwill Ambassadors, your contributions and dedicated efforts do not go unnoticed. Last year I congratulated two ambassadors who celebrated 20 years in the service. I mentioned the risk of starting a tradition, and I think that now it is a reality. This year we congratulate three ambassadors with 20 year’s generous service:

Annie Lander Laszig

Janusz Kahl

Knud Westergaard

To conclude, I thank each of our Goodwill Ambassadors and your spouses. For 22 years this network has been creating growth for Denmark and Copenhagen. Thank you all for that generous and un-selfish deed. We all know that it cannot be remunerated in monetary proportions and that makes your efforts so much more appreciable.

Thank you – på gensyn!