Frederik and save the Children is also involved in social issues in Greenland.
Here is what Frederik wrote about that in 2008. The issues have recently been addressed and Greenland has begun a co-operation with UNESCO to help combatting the socials problems there.
From my archive:
Tæt på mit hjerte – Close to my heart.
Written by Crown Prince Frederik/Red Barnet – Save The Children.
He found spontaneity and closeness with the children in Qaanaaq.
Today Crown Prince Frederik is delighted that the drop-in centre he presented the children with in return has been a success.
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik took in 2000 part in a dog-sledge expedition around the northern tip of Greenland. The lasted four months and stretched for 2.795 kilometres and the purpose was to monitor the uninhabited coast. (*) In the months before the expedition the Crown Prince and the five other members of the expedition lived in Qaanaaq, where they prepared for the rough/really hard trip.
The Crown Prince talks with warmth in his voice about his special relationship with the children of Qaanaaq:
- “Qaanaaq will always be close to my heart. The town and its inhabitants really enchanted me. Qaanaaq is a completely unique place – partly due to its geographical isolation from the rest of Greenland, and partly because they have managed to maintain the original Greenland culture. It was a time of magic. I got a very overwhelming and enthusiastic reception”.
- “Such is the Greenland (**) mentality. But when the curiosity and excitement of the children had settled down, I became part of the day-to-day life in Qaanaaq.
Some of the things that are clearest in my memory are actually the children. They were not afraid of approaching. They sneaked up around our house and peeked in the door, when we sat and worked on practical task for our journey. They were very welcome to do that. Often they sat with us and watched videos and drank fizzy water. That meant a lot to them, because there is a limit to what they have of that sort of things in Qaanaaq. They were really sweet and straight forward”.
- “I feel really well being with the children. They have a special form of spontaneity. They are on the other hand not bombarded with all sorts of effects, impressions and electronics like Danish children.
I cannot help being swept along by their joy and spontaneous behaviour. In Denmark we only have time for very few people beside ourselves. In Greenland they show more caring and nearness. That stems from earlier times where everyone was a part of a community and had to help each other. Otherwise you would be ostracized and die of starvation. The mindset of the Greenlanders has fortunately not changed much in that respect. (***)
I hope the Greenland children maintain their spontaneity. That’s a very positive side of their culture. It has been very educational for me to experience – and something I wish to pass on to my own children”.
A gift from the Crown Prince.
After the journey on dog sledges the Crown Prince and the five other members of the expedition published a book with the memories from the journey. The surplus went to a drop-in centre for youths in Qaanaaq, which was started with the help of save the Children. In 2004 the CP couple inaugurated the drop-in centre, which is today called Sirius:
- “When we were in Qaanaaq, we put a lot of effort into providing some positive experiences for the children. We were among other places in the sports centre to play football and handball. We couldn’t really talk due to the language, but we could play ball, against and with each other. That was quite funny. I think they experienced our presence as a breath of fresh air. Also because the apparently wasn’t used to playing with adults.
Even though we generally met happy children, we were however aware that many of them had problems behind the walls of their homes. And there were also many children who played outside – often until very late despite the cold and the darkness. The day-to-day isn’t so happy for all of them – far from that. It is obvious that there are problems in the Greenlander community and also some fear of addressing the issues. Life has probably never been a rose garden for the Greenlanders. That’s why we quickly agreed that it was a pity that there wasn’t a drop-in centre or after-school centre. A sanctuary, where they with other children could get away from home a little and get some diversion, play table-soccer, computer or have a cosy time in the “quiet-room”. We would like to do something for the people who had been very hospitable towards us. That’s why we decided to give them a drop-in centre”.
- “When you enter there is great energy and joy. There is noise and music. Some dance, some play. The young say it has had a major influence on their lives and has played a part in breaking the social pattern (for inheriting the problems) and the alcohol problems. The drop-in centre is a positive fix-point in their lives and it helps strengthening their self-discipline. That makes me tremendously happy to experience. It really a total sunshine-story for Mary and me, (****) who has also visited the drop-in centre. That often makes me think that it isn’t always the size of the amount that matters. Often even small amounts can create great joy. Small means can have very large results. In Greenland too”.
Patron for Save the Children.
Crown Prince Frederik is patron for Save the Children. The Crown Prince took over the role in 2002 after his grandmother (mormor), Her Royal Highness Queen Ingrid, who was patron from the foundation of Save the Children (DK) in 1945:
- “I’m glad that Save the Children and I started a smashing co-operation. We agreed that there was a need to have a look at Greenland. You always talk about the conditions in Africa, but there are also problems close by. In our own kingdom. I’m very pleased that Save the Children and I can benefit from each other and together do something for the Greenlander children and youth”.
(*) The Sirius Patrol’s main function is to maintain Danish sovereignty over North Eastern Greenland. According to international law you must do that by having a physical presence in the area. As such the Sirius Patrol is not just as military unit, it also act as police, civil servants and as the highest-ranking representatives for Danish and/or Greenland authorities in the area.
(**) I’ve been told that there is a considerable difference between the Inuit/Eskimos of West and East Greenland. They are basically two tribes.
(***) That is unfortunately no longer correct. See my remark at the end.
(****) Frederik is here talking “modern”, but I’m sure you get the meaning. – And putting Mary before himself.
There are huge problems in Greenland. Not least with children.
Greenland has had home rule for many years now. However the rapid transition from a hunter/fishing society to a relatively modern society with offices, schools, factories and so on has not been easy. That combined with alcohol has resulted in really serious social problems. The main victims are as always the children. Children are abused, neglected and molested on a horrific scale. With the tragic result that the social legacy continues.
There has in the past couple of years been focus on the problems, especially in regards to children. Even to the point where an intervention from the government in Denmark has been considered. In other words: Putting Greenland or at least part of Greenland’s home rule under direct administration by the Danish state.
The Greenland politicians are not at all interested in the Danish state meddling in anything at all! – In the meantime the children suffer – and animals too.
However Qaanaaq, which is isolated, has as Frederik said, maintained it’s original Greenland lifestyle to a very large extent. The rest of Greenland…..
Greenlanders have indeed a closer social network than Danes in general, because the population is so much smaller and so are the communities. But the large social problems are stretching the ties beyond breaking point.
