medborger_i_danmark_engelsk.pdf - Ny i Danmark

106 AssociationsCULTURE AND LEISURE TIMEPeople sharing thesame interestsBroad range ofinterestsOne of the most characteristic features ofDanish leisure-time life is the culture ofassociation.An association is a group of peoplewith common interests – e.g. academic,political, cultural, etc.There are numerous associations,organisations and clubs. They includesports clubs, political party associations,housing associations, art associations,immigrants associations, religiousassociations and associations for peoplewith a particular hobby.Other associations aim to safeguardthe interests of disabled people, variouspatient groups, senior citizens orhomosexuals. Yet others work for aparticular political cause, e.g. environmentalprotection or animal welfare.Finally, there is a multitude of venues,clubs and culture centres, often associatedwith a residential area, where people canplay cards, have debates, engage in leisureactivities or attend lectures.Associations of special interest toimmigrants and refugeesThere are more than 200 associations of special interest to immigrantsand refugees, e.g. cultural associations, political associationsand friendship associations.The objectives of these associations include strengthening internalties among refugees and immigrants and mutual ties with the Danes,as well as doing away with myths and prejudice on both sides.Anyone may startan associationAnyone may set up an association. Theonly condition is that a statutory meetingshould be held to establish the objective ofthe association and its statutes.