International ESUs »
Denmark

Activities

• Public Speaking Competition for Danish High School students
  between 16 - 20 years of age
  
• Talks – historical, cultural
• Literary sessions and readings
• Theatre visits

Local news

 National Public Speaking Competition Final 2010

 Our finals went exceedingly well. This was the first time the Canadians had hosted the Finals. We were warmly welcomed by the Canadian Ambassador and had a very nice evening. The British Ambassador was on the panel of judges together with a professor and lecturer from the university.

 The two winners are:

Julie Schroeder and Samuel Skadkær Hansen

On October 12, 2009 Arne Zettersten was elected President of the ESU International Council 2009-2010.

President of the International Council 2009-2010

THE COMMITTEE:
Chair: Ms.Claire Campbell Clausen
Chairman Emeritus: Professor Arne Zettersten
Secretary: Mrs. Birte Steer Pallesen
Treasurer: Mr. Gerard Dik
University Representative: Professor Charles Lock
PSC: Mrs. Birgitte Speyer
Web: Ms. Gwenneth Burges

FOREWORD FROM OUR PATRONESS: HE Alexandra Christina, Countess of Frederiksborg

From my earliest days in Denmark I have admired the language abilities of the Danes and their fluency in English. And from my own earliest years I have experienced the advantage of speaking several different languages; I have learned how this enriches our lives and deepens our understanding of other societies and our tolerance for other cultures.

It is a great pleasure to serve as the Patron of the English Speaking Union of Denmark (ESU)- not least because it gives me the opportunity to speak my native language with the wonderful young Danes who show such courage and determination at the annual Public Speaking Competition sponsored by the ESU. It is important to have a good command of the English language due to the nature of globalisation. Judging by the increasingly high standards each year, this is clearly an achievable goal. I hope that the ESU can be an inspiration to both Danes and other English speakers living in Denmark.

I am pleased that the English Speaking Union throughout the world continues to promote the English language as a means of international communication. A common language across borders is vital to understanding each other. I will watch this website with interest as it develops, and hope that it brings the work of the ESU to the attention of many people living and working in Denmark.

ABOUT THE ESU IN DENMARK:
Aims and Objectives
Our aim is to promote the use of the English language as a means of encouraging better communication and understanding throughout the world.
Here in Denmark our objectives include:

• reaching out to more young people;
• recruiting more members in order to expand our cultural and educational activities;
• identifying sponsors to enable us to send two contestants every year to the International Speaking Competition;
• introducing debating in English to Danish high school students and teachers;
• taking an active part in other educational programmes organised by the ESU world wide

2009- Past Events

• Visit to Denmark by Emeritus Professor Christopher Mulvey of Winchester University:

  Professor Christopher Mulvey Emeritus Professor of English at the University of Winchester visited Copenhagen on May 12 and 13 where he gave two very successful presentations entitled “The English Language and the Danish Language- an English Project Presentation” . Professor Mulvey also gave a description of The English Project which plans to open as a virtual museum on the English language at Winchester in 2012/2013. Both events were very well attended; the first was held at the Copenhagen International School with approximately 50 attendees; the second was held at the University of Copenhagen, where at least 60 people representing a broad range of teachers, university professors and ESU members were present.
  
  We would like to thank Professor Mulvey for two most inspiring and informative presentations and wish him well on the launch in 2012/2013. We are most grateful to Ms Carolyn Martin Hughes of CIS and Ms Søs Haugaard of the University of Copenhagen for hosting these events. Both events were sponsored by the British Council as part of their 75th anniversary celebration of presence in Denmark. HE The British Ambassador, Nicholas Archer attended and British Council Country Manager, Mr. Hans Meier Andersen was present at the university and spoke of the value of close cooperation between the British Council and the ESU.
  
  Summer visit to Copenhagen by ESU London:
  Copenhagen ESU will be welcoming members of the London ESU to a four day weekend in Copenhagen. On June 14, ESU members are invited to join our visitors in a full day event involving a coach tour of the City, a coast road drive, a visit to the famous art gallery, ‘Louisiana’ and Karen Blixen’s home, ‘Rungstedlund’. The trip also includes a luncheon at Humlebaek Inn, a visit to ‘Hamlet’s Castle’, Kronborg, at Elsinore and will end at the home of our Chair, Claire Campbell Clausen, in the late afternoon for drinks and a barbecue in the garden. The entire day will cost DKK 400 per person.

  

  ESU London group visit to Copenhagen

COP15 - Challenge Europe and Scottish Government event

On 14th December there will be an event which highlights the path to a low carbon economy based on the Scottish experience. The morning session involves a debate between up to 50 Carbon Management Master's students from Edinburgh University and Challenge Europe Advocates. This will be sharing best practice between the work that both groups have been doing in their respective programmes and will be followed by group debates on the 10 Jezersko Principles for Climate Action formed by British Council Climate Advocates at the Climate Camp in Slovenia in September 2009.

• HISTORY:
  
  The Danish branch was founded in 1991 by the late Ms. Emmy Glud with the support of the British Ambassador at the time, His Excellency Nigel Williams and the Danish Minister of Education Bertel Haarder. It was chaired from 1992 until February 2008 by Professor Arne Zettersten under the patronage of the British Ambassador, and from 1997 Princess Alexandra (now Alexandra Christina, Countess of Frederiksborg). For the last five years Mrs. Birte Steer Pallesen has been Honorary Secretary.
  
  ESU DENMARK TODAY:
  
  We have close ties with several English speaking associations, cooperating on exchange of news and events, extending invitations to each other’s events. The Branch is also affiliated to the Cultural Confederation of Foreign Societies (KUKs) in Denmark, which enables members to take part in multinational events.
  
  Our close links with the University of Copenhagen and teachers associations, provide us with access to a wide variety of speakers willing to address the ESU on a multitude of fascinating subjects, from the arts and language to culture and science. Being a small association and not a wealthy one we rely on the goodwill of speakers as we cannot always offer a fee.
  
  We regularly arrange theatre outings to English language productions, often preceded by an introductory talk by the Director, and the opportunity to meet the cast after the performance.
  
  A highlight in our year is without doubt the finals of the Public Speaking Competition. Schools compete not just from Copenhagen but other parts of the island of Zealand, The prize for the winner(s) is a week in London and the chance to take part in the international finals. It is our hope that at some point it will be possible for schools to participate from further afield. This is a very popular event and is always enhanced by the presence of our patron, Countess Alexandra.

  
  

Events

Feburary 24 - Wednesday at 5.30 for 6 p.m.
Poetry Recital by Peter Welby
Venue: Copenhagen International School
Hellerupvej 22-26
2900 Hellerup
Enrolment to esu.dk@webspeed.dk

March 3 - Wednesday at 4 p.m.
Semi-finals of the Public Speaking Competition
Venue: Øregaard Gymnasium
Gersonsvej 32
2900 Hellerup
Enrolment not necessary

March 22 - Monday at 5 for 5.30 p.m.
A Presentation on the English Language by Professor Michael Swan,
Further details forthcoming

March 23 - Tuesday at 4 p.m.
An Academic Talk on the English Language by Professor Michael Swan
Venue: The University of Copenhagen
Enrolment and further details on esu.dk@webspeed.dk

March 25 - Thursday at 6 p.m.
ESU 2010 Annual General Meeting
Enrolment and further details on esu.dk@webspeed.dk
ESU Members only

April 13 - Tuesday
Public Speaking Competition Finals
ESU Members and by invitation only

Meeting venue details

The branch is based in Copenhagen; sadly it has no fixed abode and continues to look for a presentable, suitable, low-cost venue.

Whenever possible we use a central theatre café (Café Teatret) for our talks and literary events. English-speaking ambassadors generously host events from time to time. We are all most grateful to those who have hosted the Public Speaking Competition Finals, and all agree it is a very special, enjoyable and uplifting event.