Why Denmark Has Just Put Funding Behind Contraception In Africa

Once more, Denmark has taken measures in order to deal with the increasing numbers of asylum seekers coming to the country. This time, the government’s plan is totally different to last year’s proposal to take refugees’ valuables from them in order to pay for their stay in the country while waiting for their asylum application to be examined.

Asylum applications dropped from 21,000 in 2015 to 5,500 in 2016. That may have to do with the Danish government’s policy to keep asylum seekers’ valuables. Even though the proposal raised a lot of criticism from The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the European Commission, Amnesty International, and many other groups, it was finally approved in January 2016. This year, the Danish government has changed course and is contributing a large amount of funds for family planning in developing countries aiming to control unwanted pregnancies and reduce immigration in Europe.

Ulla Tornaes, The Minister for Development Co-operation said that Denmark will give 91 million DKK ($14 million) to a programme that aims to increase access to contraception and family planning in Africa. It’s an important priority both in terms of foreign and security policy for the Danish government, said the Minister at a conference in London on Tuesday.

Limiting Africa’s population growth will not only reduce unwanted pregnancies but will also reduce immigration in Europe. “If the population growth in Africa continues as now, the African population will double from 1.2 billion people to 2.5 billion people by 2050. Part of the solution to reducing migratory pressures on Europe is to reduce the very high population growth in many African countries,” Tornaes said.

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.