| | Denmark 2010 Introduction
to MS ActionAid Denmark
MS ActionAid Denmark (MS) was established in
1944, under the name Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke (Danish Association for International
Co-operation) . Our aim is to further international understanding and solidarity
across and beyond national and cultural boundaries. We do this by trying to influence
development on every level from grassroots to government.
MS’ vision:
A
world in peace where cooperation among people promotes global equity and ensures
improved conditions for poor and marginalised.
MS’ mission: MS provides
opportunities for action for people, who accept a shared responsibility for global
sustainable development. MS promotes understanding and dialogue between people.
Together with partners we promote popular participation and democratisation in
the North and in the South. We endeavour to enable poor and marginalised people
realise their vision of a dignified life. MS works within 5 focus areas: that
is 1. Building local democracy. 2. Peace and conflict management. 3. Anti corruption.
4. Land rights. 5 Trade justice. Besides that we send/or receive 1000 volunteers
every year.
Introduction to the Exchange Programme
The
MS International Exchange programme is called Global Contact and provides opportunities
for everyone to get aninsight into other cultures. Our programme consists of activities
and partnerships in most parts of the world. Our aim is to facilitate understanding
of other cultures, political systems, religions and geographical conditions. We
hope that our volunteers will make use of their experience and knowledge to further
social and economic equality. Our programme makes it possible for people from
all over the world to live and work together on an equal basis, to work with locals
and assist in solving problems in society at large.
Introduction
to Workcamps in Denmark
MS has been organising workcamps in Denmark
for more than 30 years. The workcamps are hosted and sponsored by Danish municipalities,
regions, institutions, private and public funding etc. MS international workcamps
offer volunteers a practical and social task, which will benefit a local community.
Our main objective is to get people from different countries, cultures, religions
and backgrounds to work and function together, and through that to learn from
and about each other. A great way to break down prejudices and stereotypes.
Leaders
Each
camp in Denmark has two leaders (one or two in Greenland), trained by MS. The
leaders will act as contact persons for the camp and arrange the daily life of
the camp. The leaders participate in the work and daily life on equal terms with
the other participants. The leaders are volunteers and do not get paid for their
work.
Language
The camp language is English on all camps (unless
otherwise noted), and participants must be able to communicatereasonably in English.
Insurance
During
the camp all volunteers are insured for personal liability, personal accidents,
and baggage loss with special exceptions.
Important: Please note that the
insurance does not cover travel to and from the camp.
Sleeping bag All volunteers
must bring a sleeping bag or equivalent. Often the volunteers will need to bring
a sleeping mattress. If so, this will be written in the infosheet.
Travel
The
volunteer must arrange, and is responsible for, his/her own travel to and from
the camp in Denmark. MS cannot pick up any volunteers at stations or airports.
Before the camp the volunteer will get a letter from the camp leader with practical
information including direction on how to get to the camp from the nearest station/airport.
Travel
costs
Travelling in Denmark by public transportation is very easy and fast,
but also expensive. From Copenhagen Airport there is direct access to trains to
all parts of the country. Thus volunteers do not necessarily have to go to one
of the regional airports. However trains are quite expensive and the volunteers
will often benefit economically if they can go to a regional airport. Ryan Air
flies via London (Stansted) to Aarhus (Tirstrup), and Malmö (Sturup) in Sweden
(close to Copenhagen) and Hamburg (Lübeck) in Germany (near the southern
parts of Jutland). Eurolines Busses also go to Copenhagen and other major towns
in Denmark from various European destinations.
Currency
The Danish
currency is the Danish Crown (DKK). You cannot use Euro (EUR) in most parts of
the country. Shops will only accept Euros in places with lots of tourists.
The
serious stuff we have to mention
Drugs
The use of drugs, including
smoking of cannabis, is strictly forbidden by Danish law and will not be tolerated
on any MS workcamp in Denmark or Greenland.
Expulsion
MS, the organisation
and the individual camp leaders reserve the right to refuse admittance or expel
volunteers on the basis of bad behaviour or if the individual is breaking rules
or Danish law.
Responsibilities/liabilities
MS does not have any responsibility
economically or otherwise for the volunteers before or after the camp.
Additional
information is available at http://www.ms.dk/sw13950.asp way
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