The Scandinavian Model - What Is It All About?

  Please join us on Friday when it will be our pleasure to welcome the Consul General of Denmark Katrine Paaby Joensen. Many - from President Trump to Bernie Sanders - have an opinion about the so-called ‘Scandinavian Model’. But what is it all the fuss about? Katrine will provide insights into characteristics of Denmark, a typical Scandinavian welfare state; tiny, prosperous, green and among the happiest countries in the world”. She will be touching upon economics, policy, sustainability and the peculiar cultural traits of the Danes, which includes a high level of trust. She shall endeavor to give a brief – and hopefully a bit inspiring - insight into a way of life, which is somewhat different than in the US and which (both rightly and wrongly) attracts some attention these days.

  Katrine is a career diplomat with more than 20 years’ experience promoting Danish political and commercial interests globally. She is now heading the Danish diplomatic representation in Silicon Valley, building bridges between policy makers and innovative ecosystems, assisting companies and promoting knowledge and growth in Denmark. Before taking up the post in Silicon Valley, Katrine developed global export and innovation strategies for the Trade Council in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Copenhagen. Katrine has worked with conflict resolution, security policy, development support and economic diplomacy. She began her career in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and has also been posted to South Africa and Ghana where she worked to promote sustainable development and political relations.

Katrine holds a M.sc. in Political Science from the University of Copenhagen, including studies at the University of Cape Town.