Approved by Viborg City Council 4 November 2009 International Policy
Contents Foreword..................................................................................... 3 Introduction to the policy and its links with other policies.................................... 4 The policy s six areas......................................................................... 7 The international citizen..................................................................... 8 Voluntary sports and leisure associations, sports and culture................................ 10 Businesses in an international perspective................................................... 12 International research and education environment.......................................... 14 Viborg Municipality an international organisation......................................... 16 On the world map and attractive for visitors................................................. 18 2
Foreword Viborg Municipality is to become an international pioneer municipality! This is the basis for our international policy aimed at the municipality s 93,000 citizens. Based on our Development Strategy and Viborg Municipality s Common Enterprise Policy, we are continuing the creation of a strong foundation for future growth. Our starting point is good! Viborg Municipality is located in one of Denmark s growth areas and at the same time part of an increasingly global world where relations across borders become increasingly important. International understanding and vision are two words that in many ways characterise Viborg Municipality the business community, the educational institutions, our voluntary sports and leisure associations and the organisation Viborg Municipality have all for years had focus on the possibilities offered by co-operation with the surrounding world. Further, internationalisation is a prerequisite for encouraging and developing intercultural understanding. International understanding and vision require actions in a number of areas our citizens, institutions and businesses must be equipped to get on in a complex and internationalised world. In other words, the overall objective of this policy is to develop Viborg Municipality into one of Denmark s most international municipalities! With kind regards Mayor Johannes Stensgaard Viborg City Council And with the special characteristics and strengths within education, the creative field and green growth, the exchange of experience and ideas become an all determining factor at all levels in order to ensure future growth. Growth in the future will be created by creative, well educated and internationally oriented citizens who must have something good to live off and something good to live in! 3
Introduction to the Policy and its Links with Other Policies Viborg Municipality and the Surrounding World By way of introduction, the main stakeholders in relation to this policy are described and the stakeholders reciprocal dependency is illustrated in a figure. Unless described differently, the term Viborg Municipality covers the municipality s geographical area with its 93,000 citizens and its businesses, education and research institutions, voluntary sports and leisure associations, organisations, etc. The term the organisation Viborg Municipality, on the other hand, is more narrow and refers to the political and administrative entity with Viborg City Council and its committees, administrative departments, institutions, companies, etc. The Policy Areas The policy covers both co-operation between the internal stakeholders within Viborg Municipality (the grey circle in the below figure) and the stakeholders co-operation with the surrounding world (the white arrows between the grey and the green circles). The framework for internationalisation is developed jointly by the stakeholders internally The surrounding world Visitors in Viborg Municipality including for example exchange of knowledge in relation to international relations, improvement of language skills and the continued development of a local international environment. Business, educational and cultural networks across borders, together with system export, are examples of co-operation with the surrounding world. In other words, the organisation Viborg Municipality is one of the policy s many stakeholders and an international policy requires well-functioning networks and broad cooperation both internally within Viborg Municipality and in relation to the surrounding world. This is a prerequisite for meeting the objectives set out in this policy! The organisation Viborg Municipality Viborg Municipality Citizens Voluntary sports and leisure associations, sports and culture Further, internationalisation goes both ways: The stakeholders in Viborg Municipality possess considerable knowledge that the surrounding world can benefit from. At the same time, growth and development are created through co-operation and benefiting from knowledge from other countries. Research and education And others The business community 4
The policy areas, which will be described on the following pages, take their point of departure from the stakeholders already mentioned and from the co-operation between the internal stakeholders in Viborg Municipality as well as with the surrounding world. The Areas Are: The International Citizen Voluntary Sports and Leisure Associations, Sports and Culture Businesses in an International Perspective International Research and Education Environment Viborg Municipality an International Organisation On the World Map and Attractive for Visitors A Good Starting Point Viborg Municipality has a good starting point when it comes to internationalisation. This is particularly due to the fact that many of its citizens, businesses, educational institutions and the organisation Viborg Municipality for a number of years have focused on internationalisation and the possibilities and challenges that it brings about. The City Council s Vision and Development Strategy includes some very relevant observations and objectives in relation to internationalisation. The Development Strategy highlights that: Viborg Municipality is part of a world that is becoming increasingly international and global activities and the state of affairs on the other side of the world affect our daily life and vice versa. This brings about both possibilities and challenges. The potential benefits that international understanding and vision can bring about are large. Viborg Municipality already has a number of international relations to build upon for example the international environments created around the airbase [in Karup], at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences in Foulum, at the further educations and in many businesses, extensive municipal experience with the export of municipal know how [system export], international relations in conjunction with sports and culture as well as the municipality s twin cities, etc. This gives the municipality an international springboard for continued development! Links to Other Policies Based on the Vision and the Development Strategy, the International Policy outlines status, challenges, objectives and actions for internationalisation. The International Policy goes across the municipal sector areas and is consequently a policy that will affect several future policies. It is also a policy which is closely linked to existing cross sectoral policies and strategies. It is closely linked to Viborg Municipality s Common Enterprise Policy that was approved in the first half of 2009. The International Policy is also closely linked to the Marketing Strategy for Viborg Municipality with the objective to make potential new citizens, students, businesses and visitors more aware of Viborg Municipality. Implementation of the Policy Following approval by Viborg City Council, the policy s objectives and areas of action are to be detailed in an action plan. The action plan will include actual projects and initiatives that are expected to be implemented in the years to come. 5
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The Policy s Six Areas 7
The International Citizen Facts about the International Viborg Status and Challenges - The proportion of immigrants (incl. descendants) living in Viborg Municipality has increased from 4.7% in 2006 to 5.2% in 2009. - From 2006 to 2009, the number of immigrants from Europe and North America living in Viborg Municipality increased with just over 660 people equal to an increase of 38.8%. - In 2008, 30% of the immigrants (15-69 years) in Viborg Municipality had a vocational education and 27% had a further education. In comparison, 37% of Danes had a vocational education and 23% had a further education. - The employment rate for immigrants (16 64 years) in Viborg Municipality increased from 37% to 48% between 2002 and 2007. In comparison, the employment rate for Danes increased from 65% to 67%. Source: Statistics Denmark 8 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Foreigners, from non western countries Foreigners, from western countries Danish citizens 1980 1990 2000 2009 One of the main challenges is to equip Viborg Municipality s 93,000+ citizens to get on in a complex and internationalised world. It is thus important to improve their language skills and their understanding of international relations. Further, it is necessary to increase their interest in getting involved in cross-regional and international co-operation and relations and thus, activate the human potential and vision in relation to the surrounding world. International from Childhood It is not only adults who are to think and act internationally. It is vital that citizens already from childhood are introduced to the international aspect in many different ways. In other words, the international aspect is to be a natural part of growing up in Viborg Municipality. The international aspect is, among other things, to develop through the teaching of languages and society in primary and secondary school, through international days, through interesting children s culture events and sports events as well as through exchange visits. Twin Cities Viborg Municipality has twinning agreements with seven European cities and an eighth agreement is underway. These agreements are important to create a broad interest in international aspects. Together with its four Nordic twin cities, Viborg Municipality has drawn up a strategy for their co-operation. Among other things, the strategy focuses on culture and voluntary associations being the driving force behind the creation of cross-national relations and involvement and on strengthening young people s involvement and interest in the Nordic countries and Nordic co-operation. Housing Guarantee in Viborg Municipality Viborg Municipality has a housing guarantee for students enrolled at a further education course and for employees working in a local business who live more than 30 minutes away from Viborg Municipality. The housing guarantee is thus also relevant when it comes to attracting foreign students and employees.
Objectives Give the citizens the tools to get on in a complex and internationalised world. Give the citizens the tools to act in a business environment and an educational environment that are becoming increasingly internationalised. Ensure that internationalisation becomes a natural part of growing up in Viborg Municipality. Continue to develop the cultural activities on offer and strengthen the position as a national and international centre for children s culture. Increase the focus on ensuring that the first meeting with the Danes is positive. Actions Establishment of an international school both at primary and secondary level and at high school level. Focus on internationalisation and the development of international competences in children s and young people s learning (nurseries, child minders, kinder gardens, schools, youth educations and further educations). The organisation Viborg Municipality will together with existing networks, citizens, voluntary sports and leisure associations, businesses and retail build bridges and create international events with a broad appeal. Organise events, e.g. international days, where subjects like education, culture, sports, etc. help to bring foreign citizens and Danes together. Develop the existing twinning agreements further to internationalise the citizens among other things by use of electronic tools/media. Organise welcome meetings and deliver welcome packs that ensure a positive first meeting with Viborg Municipality. 9
Voluntary Sports and Leisure Associations, Sports and Culture Status and Challenges The Cultural Agreement 2009 2011 The co-operation between Horsens, Randers, Silkeborg and Viborg municipalities in relation to culture is based on four main areas: 1. The development of cultural competences in a European perspective 2. Business development through creative alliances 3. Development of creative environments for professional artists 4. Linking physical movement and culture Children s Culture Viborg Municipality has a very active and attractive children s culture environment in which the Culture Prince has a central role. The Culture Prince is an experimental development centre which develops new and exciting cultural activities with and for children and young people regionally, nationally and internationally. International events Viborg Municipality is constantly seeking to attract international sports events. As a result of this, Viborg, together with Herning, Aalborg and Aarhus municipalities, are to host the men s U-21 European Cup in 2011 a high profile international event which will be broadcasted across the world. 10 Sports and culture are for a number of reasons important areas when looking at the international aspect. The reasons for this are that both sports and culture in many ways are the driving force behind internationalisation, that good sports and cultural offers contribute to making Viborg attractive for both citizens and visitors, and finally that both sports and culture contribute to break down barriers. This happens when foreign top athletes join local sports clubs and when voluntary sports and leisure associations and cultural institutions arrange events in which everyone from international artists to local sports clubs are involved. Another important initiative in relation to culture is the Cultural Agreement 2009 2011 between Horsens, Randers, Silkeborg and Viborg municipalities. The overall objective of the Cultural Agreement is to strengthen the strategic development of culture in the area. Voluntary Sports and Leisure Associations and Cultural Institutions Voluntary sports and leisure associations and cultural institutions play an important role in this area. The reason for this is that they have years of experience in running and developing attractive activities for citizens and because they often are the informal meeting place where citizens and visitors with very different backgrounds meet. The number of foreign students and employees has for a number of years been increasing. It is therefore a challenge to give voluntary sports and leisure associations and cultural institutions the tools to welcome and integrate foreign citizens into the social and cultural relations. This also includes the need to inform about their activities. Another challenge is to strengthen the physical surroundings for social and cultural activities. Currently, a student house is being established. The student house is to become the centre for the social and cultural events that are to improve the student environment by bringing together students from different countries and courses and not least create exciting new activities for the students. Children s Culture Voluntary sports and leisure associations and cultural institutions in Viborg Municipality have for many years been focused on children s culture. This focus has resulted in a series of exciting and different cultural activities for children and young people and in putting Viborg on the cultural world map. Children s culture is one of the main focus areas of this policy in that it will contribute to increasing children and young people s understanding of other cultures and thereby the international society. Further, the children s culture can create international relations that children and young people can benefit from later in life.
Objectives Support the development of talents within sports and culture in order to develop an intercultural environment and support the potentials of the experience economy. Create and attract sports and cultural events at an international level. Strengthen Viborg Municipality s position as a national and international centre for children s culture. Support voluntary sports and leisure associations and cultural institutions as the driving forces for the strengthening of intercultural understanding and communication. Make offers that contribute to the integration of foreign citizens in Viborg Municipality visible and develop them further. Make the meeting with Viborg such a positive experience that foreign students and employees in the long run decide to live and work in Viborg Municipality. Actions Actively work with sports and culture as a focus area in relations to the twinning agreements. Offer housing, meeting places and citizenfocused activities that contribute to the integration of foreign citizens and intercultural understanding. Establish a student house in the barracks area in Viborg. Make children s culture a main focus area in relation to Viborg Municipality s twinning agreements. With the objective to develop an international environment, establish an international network between Viborg Municipality, the cultural institutions, the educational institutions, the retailers and voluntary sports and leisure associations including internationally committed sport clubs. Develop experimental and diverse international co-operation and projects between voluntary sports and leisure associations, public institutions and private initiatives. 11
Businesses in an International Perspective Status and Challenges System Export In co-operation with local businesses, Viborg Municipality has since 1998 been involved in system export, i.e. the transfer of municipal know how, within areas such as water supply, waste water treatment, waste management, energy and the environment. The export of knowledge within other areas can also become relevant in the future. One of the strengths of system export is that it contributes to the exchange of experience and knowledge across borders as well as between the public and the private sectors. Viborg Municipality businesses have over the last 11 years for instance been involved in system export projects in the Baltic States, Romania, Poland, Turkey, China and Thailand. Many small and medium-sized companies already operate across borders in the globalised world. The potential benefits of an international understanding and vision are large. This is true when it comes to securing new export channels, gathering new inspiration and knowledge and last but not least when attracting qualified and enough employees. Viborg Municipality s Common Enterprise Policy The Enterprise Policy focuses on co-operation between creative industries, education and internationalisation. This is based on the fact that businesses and the educational institutions have been focused on the many development and growth possibilities that exist in relation to creative industries which among other things include green growth, IT, the media, design and knowledge service. The Enterprise Policy s approach to the creative industries is very broad in that the idea is both to stimulate creative environments and to develop the synergies that exist when the creative sectors and other sectors with growth and development potential interact. In conjunction with this, the policy also focuses on the continued development of international activities. The objective is, among other things, to develop successful international relations, to strengthen the international exchange of experiences and to develop new relations that support Viborg Municipality s businesses and educational environment. The Labour Market in Central Denmark As a consequence of the current financial crisis, unemployment is increasing. In Viborg Municipality, it increased from a very low level at 1.1% in April 2008 to 3.3% in April 2009. However, the present increase in unemployment does not change the fact that in the long run, it will be necessary to increase the workforce, e.g. by attracting foreign employees. If the forecast of the workforce supply is compared with the forecast of the workforce demand (+0.74 per year), it is estimated that in 2018, the Central Denmark Region will need 44.000 workers. 12 Source: Employment Region Central Denmark 800 700 600 500 Thousands 1981 1984 1987 1990 1993 1996 1999 Historical employment growth Achievable employment 2002 2005 Forecast 2008 2011 2014 2017 2020 Employment Workforce } Difference = 44,000 workers 2023 2026 2029
Objectives Develop the local and international cooperation further so that businesses and the educational institutions will benefit more from it Strengthen internationalisation and support initiatives that promote entrepreneurship, innovation, export and attract foreign investors and businesses Create the framework for local, municipal and international co-operation through for example system export and networks that support international exchange of knowledge Ensure good conditions for businesses that base their development on international co-operation Innovative Export Businesses One in four of businesses in the Central Denmark Region is product innovative. Among these, the majority of exporting businesses are located in the Viborg/Skive region: 77 %. Source: Innovation analysis, Central Denmark Region, CIS 2006 Actions Maintain and develop the co-operation with regional, national and international business organisations such as EU institutions, committees and organisations, the Danish Ministry of Economic and Business Affairs, Central Denmark Region, Central Denmark Region s Growth Forum, Business Link Central Denmark, Enterprise Europe Network, Central Denmark EU Office and the municipality s twinning cities Develop and deliver international projects which contribute to new international business and educational relations and identifies new markets Attract and keep employees in sectors where there is a lack of workers and support the international development of the workforce Support and develop networks that focus on international business and educational issues, international knowledge exchange or which have an international cluster potential Develop Viborg Municipality s system export further in co-operation with the local business community 13
International Research and Education Environment Status and Challenges Innovation Networks As highlighted in Viborg Municipality s Common Enterprise Policy, the organisation Viborg Municipality, the business community and the educational institutions focus on the creative sectors and green growth. These sectors are dependent on innovation and new knowledge, and innovation networks based on international relations are very important for this research and business growth. Viborg Municipality will therefore support networks that have international growth and development potential. The local examples of innovation networks include among others: The Innovation Centre for Bioenergy and Environmental Technology which is closely linked to the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at Aarhus University and Agro Business Park The Animation Hub which is linked to the Animation Workshop CenSec in Karup which focuses on safety, defence and space technology The development environment linked to Grundfos in Bjerringbro 14 Viborg Municipality has a number of knowledge-based institutions which, together with the business community, form the basis for future growth. The continued internationalisation presents a number of demands for our work methods which again requires that new knowledge and new research and educational competences are acquired. The key words in relation to this are creativity, innovation and international insight. Cross border relations are also very important within this field. One of the challenges is to benefit from exchanging experience and knowledge with other countries research and educational sectors. Some of the possibilities present here are the use of new communication tools and the exchange of Danish and foreign capacities within the research and educational sectors over a shorter or a longer period of time. Development Projects Together with local and international partners, the organisation Viborg Municipality focuses on delivering projects that can create development not least within the research and educational sectors and at the same time attract external co-funding from among others the EU. In relation to this, the municipality is particularly focused on the possibilities cooperation with for example Central Denmark EU Office in Brussels and the Danish Trade Council offers. Campus Viborg Campus Viborg, which will be opened in 2010, is an important part of the international focus in relation to the educational sector in Viborg. One of the reasons for this is that Campus Viborg brings together all the educations available in Viborg in the barracks area and thus many Danish and foreign students are brought together. Another reason is that the building of a modern educational complex and many attractive halls of residence and the establishment of a student house will strengthen the basis for a social, cultural and professional educational environment in Viborg. House of Natural Sciences (NVH) NVH, which is the result of local business, educational, municipal and external stakeholders co-operation, is an example of a new form for education with international perspectives. NVH focuses on the strengthening of educational frameworks that are essential for the future competitiveness of Denmark. The objective is to contribute to a more inspiring approach to science teaching in primary and secondary schools and at colleges and thereby make pupils and students more interested in science. NVH also focuses on international projects that will create international relations and give new inspiration to the teaching of science. NVH opened in October 2009.
Objectives Attract and establish new educations at an international level that appeal to both foreign teachers as well as foreign students Promote international knowledge exchange and international co-operation in relation to research activities and innovation networks Develop international studies and an international student environment further Co-ordinate the co-operation about internationalisation between the educational institutions and make use of each other s networks Actions Establish and further develop international networks between educational institutions Exchange knowledge and continuously identify research activities with an international perspective Establish a forum for staff at the educational institutions who are involved in international activities and educations Through the above mentioned forum, take part in international projects that will strengthen the educational environment in Viborg Municipality 15
Viborg Municipality an International Organisation Status and Challenges 16 The organisation Viborg Municipality has an international focus. This is evident from the fact that a number of its institutions and other parts of the municipality have international relations of which many go back a long time. The Municipality has more internationallyfocused members of staff who are responsible for the co-ordination and promotion of international activities and responsible for the co-ordination of system export. It is thus a challenge to develop an international culture where the employees both take ownership for the international work and have the right competences and the time to think and act internationally. Another challenge is to make the good examples of international activities visible and thereby contribute to an increased exchange of knowledge about international relations and activities. The Common Challenges The international community faces a number of common challenges relating to the climate, the environment and health. The organisation Viborg Municipality is aware of these challenges and wishes to actively contribute to their solution. This focus on the international challenges is evident from the fact that the municipality in co-operation with the local business community has delivered a number of system export projects on drinking water, waste water, waste and the environment in for example the Baltic States and Asia. Another important initiative is the formulation of a climate strategy which is expected to be approved at the end of 2009 and the Municipality s Prevention and Health Policy from 2008. The Role as Facilitator The organisation Viborg Municipality dedicates many resources to the facilitation of international co-operation and international activities and not least to local co-operation which often is essential for international cooperation. In addition to activities relating to system export and the Municipality s twin cities, the organisation also gets involved in EU s Interreg projects as well as in various regional development projects relating to Central Denmark Region s Growth Forum. Internally, the organisation Viborg Municipality plays an important role in bringing together and servicing local partners such as the Dialogue Forum, which consists of representatives from the business community, the educational institutions, tourism and the Municipality, and the Educational Council, and thereby lays the foundation for local cooperation that can result in international activities.
Objectives The organisation Viborg Municipality will: Create an internationally oriented municipality at all levels Deliver a good service in relation to international enquiries from citizens, visitors, businesses and organisations Take responsibility in relation to international challenges relating to for example the climate, the environment, green growth and health Develop Viborg Municipality as a pioneer Municipality that foreign municipalities would like to learn from and work with. This reciprocal exchange of knowledge creates good solutions and innovative approaches Be a central actor in relation to good local and international relations that will contribute to a positive development in Viborg Municipality Actions Think and act internationally by, e.g. investing in competence development and personnel resources when it comes to the international area Develop an internal network of internationally-oriented members of staff in the organisation Viborg Municipality Encourage all municipal services and institutions to include internationalisation in strategies, action plans, etc. Participate in relevant international projects, e.g. EU supported projects Use Viborg Municipality s twinning relations to exchange knowledge within specified areas through co-operation projects Through international co-operation, obtain knowledge and inspiration to the benefit of the Municipality s citizens, visitors, businesses, educational institutions and organisations 17
On the World Map and Attractive for Visitors Status and Challenges Viborg Municipality is attractive to foreign visitors both tourists and business people. And with its nature, its many experience opportunities, its varied retail sector and its conference facilities, Viborg Municipality has much to offer to these target groups. The challenge for the coming years is to strengthen the co-operation between the stakeholders who are in contact with and who provide services to the foreign visitors and at the same time, market Viborg Municipality based on the qualities highlighted in Viborg Municipality s Marketing Strategy. In short, Viborg needs to be put on the world map! International projects and activities The internationalisation and the participation in international projects and activities are becoming increasingly important to public organisations in Denmark and all over the world. As a developing dynamic and creative municipality, it is important for the organisation Viborg Municipality, the business community, the educational institutions and associations to portray themselves as attractive partners in international activities and projects. The Marketing of Viborg Municipality Viborg Municipality has a lot to offer but visitors do not come by themselves. Thus, Viborg Municipality actively seeks to put the Municipality on the world map and spread the word about the area, its experience opportunities and facilities. Viborg Municipality s Marketing Strategy s focus is the marketing of the entire municipality where the actual initiatives are to benefit the business community, the retailers, the tourism industry, the educational institutions, etc. The strategy takes its point of departure in the Municipality s key identity which can be described with four key words: Authenticity Quality Central Dynamic At the same time, Viborg Municipality is lucky to have several strengths which the Marketing Strategy focuses upon. These are: History and culture Sports The business community Nature 18
Objectives Attract potential foreign settlers, students, visitors, partners and businesses Develop the marketing of Viborg Municipality internationally Citizens, visitors and foreigners linked to businesses and educational institutions to become ambassadors for Viborg Municipality Actions Market Viborg Municipality as a creative and international municipality with good job, education and experience opportunities Attract more business tourists, e.g. through international conferences, reception of international delegations and participation in international projects Develop attractive, relevant, focused and active communication tools such as a website and printed material in other languages Communicate the unique and the many good stories relating to culture, the business community, sports, nature and history 19
International Policy