Our way of working
We work to solve some of society’s most complex problems. We get to the root of the problems; and, together with others, we act, test new solutions, and train our ability to imagine change.
Illustration: Khoi Pham
Only team efforts solve social challenges
We never work alone but together with others. We do this to create better conditions for young people in vulnerable positions, to provide art with a more central place in society, and to ensure more biodiversity in our nature.
We believe that it takes a team effort to solve difficult, recalcitrant challenges in society. Missions provide a clear, common direction for our work on social change that can only become a reality when we set aside our own interests and cooperate with others who are not like us.
Denmark is a well-functioning country of which we are proud. Nevertheless, there are problems in our society that are so complex and intractable that they seem impossible to solve within the systems we know. When that is the case, it calls for systematic change and cooperation.
Catalysts for systematic change
We work with systematic change, to coax open problems that seem locked in place. This is a recognition that the various parts of which our society is made function together and influence each other – and sometimes trip each other up.
We must work with many different parts of the system in order to alter conditions to fix a problem instead of focusing on the problem’s symptoms.
Systematic change demands long-term focus. We have to adjust many dials at the same time. This may be by proposing structural changes such as legislation or by changing inexpedient practices. Often, there is a need to change the culture and the way we think about problems and deal with them.
We take the initiative ourselves
We often initiate new efforts and continue to shape, run, and develop them. We call ourselves development partners and contribute with labour, knowledge, and experience when we work for young people in vulnerable positions, for art, and for nature. We have opinions but not answers. We find those together.
New images of the future
In all our missions, we train our ability to imagine how our world might look without recalcitrant problems. Together with others, we investigate how a better future might look: Just imagine if Denmark became a country where fewer young people had difficulties? Just think if encounters with art could provide even more opportunities to take part in our society and democracy? And just think if future generations had a wilder, more diverse nature in which to live?
We practice bringing the future into the way we develop the present.
Our ability to imagine broadens our horizon. And gives us a sense that positive societal change is possible. This is crucial if we are to make good choices in the present.
Exsperiment – learn – share
We work with experiments and laboratories. In this way, we can investigate new possibilities – and what it requires to make them into reality. With experiments, new discoveries and developments may arise, but we must also be willing to take risks and pay our dues.
Experiments help make us wiser. Therefore, there is also value in experiments that fail. And failures we also share gladly. If we share with each other, we may increase our wisdom and courage to take new paths.
Our strategy
Our strategy is in motion just as we are. We develop ourselves and our strategy while we work.