First time at Folkemødet with our own event

Dear staff

This year's Folkemøde - the Danish national democracy festival - was big. Significantly bigger than last year, with 4000 events and over 110,000 guests.

For the first time, our faculty participated with its own debate. It was a test and it went well, but it was also labor-intensive. One of the most difficult things is actually the logistics around transport and accommodation. We have therefore already booked accommodation and are ready at the keys when transport opens for next year's Folkemøde.

The topic of our debate was the Green Tripartite Agreement, which turned out to be a hot topics at Folkemødet. There was great interest from politicians, municipalities, NGOs, researchers and yes – people (especially the green segment). And despite 15 debates on the same topic before our debate on Friday afternoon at 5 pm, there was a lot of interest.

This is not least due to the six committed debaters, where the four guests were brought in from the network of associate professor Sara Egemose and associate professor Paula Canal. There was generally good support for Green Tripartite Agreement among all stakeholders.

With the help of our communications team, we had found a good angle that could provide a lively debate. It went well, and many sharp points were made that contributed to new perspectives. The four external panelists all have central roles in the implementation of the Green Tripartite Agreement, and I am pleased that they now have the researchers' perspective with them.

I also hope that the audience gained new knowledge and a greater understanding of the nuances of the Green Tripartite Agreement. Sara and Paula participated in Folkemødet for the first time, and we have already discussed which topics they would like to contribute to next year.

It is my experience that they are very satisfied with the support from our communications team, which has partly been responsible for the logistics and partly helped put the debate together and moderate it. It was a lot of work, but it was all worth it.

There are many topics that interest people, politicians and researchers at Folkemødet. There is ample opportunity to contribute knowledge about your own research. At the same time, you get the opportunity to take the temperature of your research area in the public space. It can provide new inspiration and new ideas for research projects and partnerships.

I hope that there are more people next year who want to participate in the Folkemødet both to communicate the faculty's contribution to research and society - and to get new inspiration.

For me, the Folkemødet is just as much about networking. It is completely impossible to participate in all the relevant debates, and there is also quite a bit of overlap between the debates.

The most popular speakers participate in several debates, and you thus have more opportunities to hear their points of view and knowledge. In addition, it is super cozy, folk and festive, not least with the random conversations in the queue for the toilets, on the way between debates and on the bus between Allinge and Rønne, where we stayed in a hostel.

In the entertaining section, I participated in the legendary BioBar organized by the Novo Nordisk Foundation and the University of Copenhagen. Together with good dean colleagues from the country's universities and not least Claus Felby, green drinks were mixed and green toasts were handed out to all guests. It created a great atmosphere in the tent, well complemented by live jazz music.

Thank you to all participants at the Folkemødet this year, and the great work you have put into the task. I look forward to seeing even more of you participate next year.

Marianne Holmer, dean