Jane Kim, 24 year-old graduate from UW now studying Economics at the University of Copenhagen, recently had an unusual opportunity. As member of a corps of dedicated, international, young people called the Youth Goodwill Ambassador Corps she temporarily got the chance to act as an adviser to the government of Denmark on how to attract international talents.
On April 26th a group of dedicated international, young talents met in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Denmark with H.R.H. Prince Joachim of Denmark. One of them was Jane, who had studied Danish at the University of Washington.
“It was an honor to meet HRH Prince Joachim in person. And an even greater experience to be part of a group giving advice to the Danish government in an area of great political attention in Denmark: How to attract more well educated, international talents,” says Jane. Jane is part of a group called the Youth Goodwill Ambassador Corps, a group of all together 350 young international people activating their network to promote Denmark to peers in their home countries. The objective is to create bilateral student mobility opportunities and global careers.
”With the Youth Goodwill Ambassador Corps we are engaging international talents all over the world. In today’s global economy, talent mobility is a huge driver for intercultural exchange, innovation and exports. By working closely with our youth ambassadors, we are connecting Denmark with the home countries of our youth ambassadors on a people to people level, which already is showing great results,” HRH Prince Joachim of Denmark said when attending the summit.
Advising the Danish government
When 160 of the Youth Ambassadors – including Jane - met on the 26th of April they at the same time handed over a number of recommendations to the Danish government and Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials.
“Knowledge and competencies are drivers for future growth. Denmark has international competitive strongholds within labour market flexibility, research and higher education, and great conditions for entrepreneurs and start-up companies. I am pleased to see how Youth Goodwill Ambassador Corps engages international talents from all over the world,” says Minister for Trade and Development
Cooperation of Denmark, Mogens Jensen. And he continues:
“In today’s global economy, attraction of highly qualified and skilled labour is crucial for international competitiveness, innovation and entrepreneurship. By working closely with international students, we are connecting Denmark with the home countries of our youth ambassadors on a people to people level, which has already shown positive results.”