Title: While You Wait: Helpful Advice on How Asylum Seekers Can Manage the Waiting Time
Abstract
Will I be granted asylum or will I be rejected? This is the existential decision that asylum seekers are waiting for. Waiting in uncertainty for a decision that will profoundly shape one’s future can be incredibly difficult and mentally taxing.
The purpose of this book is to provide advice on how to cope with the waiting period. And who is better equipped to offer such advice than those who have experienced it firsthand? Through a collection of personal stories, tips, and strategies, the book shares insights on how individuals can navigate their time at an asylum center while awaiting a response. Although the book is written for asylum seekers, it is equally relevant for anyone with an interest in the topic—whether as a private citizen or a professional.
The book has been translated and published in Danish, English, Arabic, and Farsi.
Title: Literature: The path to social sustainability
Abstract
In a world increasingly shaped by global challenges and cultural diversity, public libraries hold a unique power to foster social sustainability. Through literature, libraries can bridge divides, promote understanding, and expand our shared human awareness. This article explores how public libraries, by embracing the lessons of literary history, can contribute to building socially sustainable societies that are deeply interconnected and aware of one another’s humanity.
This article was first published in the journal Forbindelser and subsequently in Kulturmonitor.
Title: It is an illusion to think that the public library is a neutral institution
Abstract
In a democratic society, public libraries hold a critical responsibility not only to inform but also to represent the diverse voices within the community. However, many libraries in Denmark fall short in reflecting the ethnic diversity of their populations. This article explores how this lack of representation undermines the library’s core mission of serving all citizens equally, highlighting the need for libraries to be active participants in fostering social sustainability and inclusive democratic discourse.
This article was published in Kulturmonitor.
Title: When Culture Fails and Governments Radicalize
Abstract
Denmark, once hailed as a beacon of democracy and peace, now finds itself grappling with an era of radical political shifts and cultural decline. As global conflicts intensify and societal divisions deepen, the role of culture—once a source of critique and reflection—has diminished, contributing to the rise of political polarization. This article explores how the failure of cultural institutions to challenge power and promote critical has paved the way for government radicalization, and how culture can serve as a powerful counterbalance to this growing trend.
This article was published in Kulturmonitor
Title: Back to the Roots: The Public Library and the Mission of Enlightenment
Abstract
The article "Back to the Roots: The Public Library and the Mission of Enlightenment" examines how public libraries have adapted to digitalization and the experience economy but have neglected their core mission: democratic enlightenment. By addressing societal issues like climate change, integration, and fake news, and promoting critical thinking, libraries can reclaim their role as vital cultural and educational institutions. The author calls for a return to their foundational purpose—disseminating knowledge and fostering enlightenment—to ensure their future relevance.
This article was first published in the journal Forbindelser and subsequently in both Kulturmonitor and Kultur og Informations member magazine Perspektiv.
Read the full article in English
