Danish Ambassador Speaks to Undergraduates about Denmark in the World

On Nov. 13, 2007, Friis Arne Petersen, Denmark's Ambassador to the United States, gave a lecture at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business to an audience of undergraduate students and faculty members. Petersons lecture, titled Denmark in the World Politics, Economy and Energy, centered around Denmark's relationship with the U.S. and its role in the global community.

Petersen began by noting that Denmark has been a close friend of the U.S. since 1791 and stated that the two countries have many shared objectives from an economic standpoint. However, Petersen also pointed out that Denmark is a member of many international organizations including the EU, NATO, the UN, WTO, and OECD among others and contrasted this with the unilateral approach the U.S. has adopted in recent years. The single most defining characteristic of Denmark is that we still actively belong to many multilateral organizations, remarked Petersen.

According to Petersen, Denmark possesses the strongest economy in Europe, an extremely low unemployment rate at 3.3 percent, and a liberal business environment. Despite being a country of only 5.5 million people, Denmark's development assistance and humanitarian aid ranks among the highest in the world, measured per capita. In addition, Denmark's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita is the fourth highest in the world a number even higher than that of the U.S. Although were a small state, were very smart and efficient, stated Petersen.

Petersen closed his remarks by discussing the three primary focus areas for Denmark exports, which include identifying and harnessing sources of renewable energy, biotech/pharmaceuticals, and defense, and then opened up the floor to questions.

Prior to becoming ambassador in 2005, Petersen had a distinguished career in the Danish Foreign Service, serving on the staff of two Danish foreign ministers and holding various senior positions, including an 8-year term as head of the foreign ministry, during which he assumed the position of permanent secretary of state. Petersen has been a board member of the Denmark-America foundation since 1977 and lectures regularly on foreign policy at Danish universities, business associations and political organizations.

▓ Pete Baird, MBA Candidate '09, Smith Media Group