A corps of dedicated, international young people is busy activating their network to promote Denmark. Juraj Pal from Slovakia, who is currently studying at Aarhus University, is one of them. And on April 20 he got some advice from HRH Prince Joachim of Denmark in Copenhagen and Martin Lidegaard, Danish Minister of Climate, Energy and Building at this year’s final national conference for the youth goodwill ambassadors.

2013.04.22 | Gitte Bindzus Foldager

This year about 20 international students from Aarhus University are part of the national initiative Youth Goodwill Ambassadors who work to promote Aarhus University and Denmark in their home country. On 20 April they got a taste of Denmark’s strengths within innovation and entrepreneurship highlighting how science parks, cleantech and international talents can create growth and increase Denmark’s global competitiveness in a conference at the Danish science park Scion DTU in Copenhagen.

Among the invited speakers were HRH Prince Joachim and Martin Lidegaard, Danish Minister of Climate, Energy and Building.

-It was a great honour to meet HRH Prince Joachim and Martin Lidegaard, Danish Minister of Climate,Energy and Building. The fact that I also got a chance to personally ask HRH a question added to the uniqueness of this event. I could feel real motivation and faith given to all of us, ambassadors, as all the speakers engaged in a very personal and open dialogue says Juraj Pal, who is studying BSc in Economics and Business Administration at Aarhus University.

HRH Prince Joachim has closely followed the activities of the corps from its foundation in 2010 to present day and he said this to this year’s youth ambassadors:

-To me the duty of representing Denmark truly is a privilege. It is very rewarding and I love to see that the work I do can be fruitful to Danish society as a whole. As youth goodwill ambassadors you will reflect on your experience in Denmark and whether at home in your own country or embarking on a new international career elsewhere in the world - you will always remember your time in Denmark and take a piece of Denmark with you.

Highlighting a specific example, where the youth ambassadors can act, Martin Lidegaard, Danish Minister of Climate, Energy and Building added:

-Denmark is a showcase proving that going green and creating growth can be achieved simultaneously. Our youth ambassadors can help spread this message globally. At the same time, we must attract the best and most innovative minds to help us develop the energy systems of tomorrow and the youth ambassadors can play an important role in this endeavour.”

Juraj is extremely pleased to have been appointed to Youth Goodwill Ambassadors to Denmark and has already been promoting Denmark and Aarhus University in his home country Slovakia.

-As a Youth Goodwill Ambassador I take part in a unique Danish development programme, where I meet with key stakeholders within business, culture and top profiles in the Danish society. The programme has given me a unique insight into the Danish society, business environment and a huge network. I am very pleased that I could take this with me and organize a promotional event at Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia. Here I talked to around 350 students sharing my experience of studying and living in general in Denmark. Currently, I am building an online platform for all prospective and current students from Slovakia with interest in higher education in Denmark says Juraj Pal.

About the Youth Goodwill Ambassador Corps

The Youth Goodwill Ambassador Corps is founded by Copenhagen Capacity, Wonderful Copenhagen, Copenhagen Goodwill Ambassador Corps and the Danish Agency for Universities and Internationalisation. Partner institutions include Aarhus University, Copenhagen University, Aalborg University, Copenhagen Business School and the Technical University of Denmark. The programme is supported by the two funds Karl Pedersen og Hustrus Industrifond and Industriens Arbejdsgivere in Copenhagen, both administered by the Confederation of Danish Industries (DI).

In September the programme will start look for new ambassadors. If you wish to join look for information about it on the International Centre’s website in September or visit this website: www.youth.ambassadornet.dk/.