The new organization “Uagut” aims to create a common voice for Greenlanders in Denmark. It is important that we can speak our own mind, says Julie Rademacher, who is the leader of the organization.
It is important that Greenlanders in Denmark have a united voice. This is the opinion of Julie Rademacher, who is the leader of the new organization “Uagut” (us, ed.) for Greenlanders in Denmark.
The idea for the organization arose after Julie Rademacher, who has her own consulting and advisory company, moved back to Denmark after a few years in Greenland. She felt lonely as a Greenlander.
And although there is an opportunity to meet like-minded people in the Greenlandic houses, she believes that there is a need for a unified and stronger voice.
Also seen in light of the great attention that is being paid to the country following statements by US President Donald Trump that the US should control and own Greenland.
– In this situation with Trump, and in many other issues, such as my children’s opportunities to learn Greenlandic, I think something has been missing in Denmark, says Julie Rademacher.
She is a former member of parliament for the Social Democrats and has been employed by Siumut throughout her career. But she emphasizes that the organization is independent and non-partisan.
– The voice of Greenlanders needs to become stronger so that we can speak our case as Greenlanders and Inuit here in Denmark. It is important that we unite so that we can have a common voice in the public debate and stand stronger against the Danish authorities, municipalities and the state, she says.
First events coming up
The board of directors for the new organization consists of five people – and they are already busy organizing, says Julie Rademacher.
Uagut will be a forum for social, cultural and educational initiatives for the approximately 17,000 Greenlanders in Denmark. At the same time, they want to create meeting places that strengthen Greenlandic identity and culture – both internally in the community and externally in Danish society.
And then the organization will work to combat discrimination.
– We are currently planning six dialogue meetings that will start on the other side of the summer holidays. Here people can meet, discuss prejudice and racism and various themes, says Julie Rademacher.