the danish veterans' policy

RecognitionIn 2009, the Government introduced an official flag-flyingday for Denmark’s deployed. The flag-flying day isobserved every year on 5 September.In 2010, Her Majesty the Queen approved the institutionof a series of new medals, which can be awarded to theindividual veteran as a tangible symbol of recognition.Veterans who are physically injured in international operationsare eligible for the Defence Medal for Injured inService. The Government recognizes psychical injuryon an equal footing with physical injury. Therefore, thefollowing initiative is taken:The psychically injured are recognized on an equalfooting with the physically injured. From now on,the Defence Medal for Injured in Service can beawarded to the psychically injured.Out of respect for the many who have been deployedto areas of conflict and disasters, for those who aredeployed now, those who will be deployed in the future,and for those who have perished, the Government hasdecided to erect a monument in 2011 for Denmark’sinternational effort since 1948. The monument will besituated on the Princess’ Bastion at the Citadel inCopenhagen.The Government recognizes the competencesof the veteransThe competences and experience of the veterans mustbe utilized. The recognition of the veterans’ competences,which have been built up throughout their educationin the Defence and later on fortified in the missionarea, should be developed through real competenceevaluation. Therefore, the following initiative is taken:The basis for real competence evaluation and guidancemust be strengthened. The schools and the YouthEducational Guidance must be informed of the competencesachieved by the veterans in connection with theireducation and deployment. In this way the veteranswill have the greatest possible benefit from theircompetences in connection with further education.Furthermore, with the consent of the individual veterans,the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Defencewill pass on information regarding veterans youngerthan 25 years to the Youth Educational Guidance.In this way the young person in question can receiveoptimal counselling in connection with their choice ofa youth education.Cash benefit beforestarting assistanceIn the autumn of 2010, the Government willsubmit a proposal to ensure that veterans, whohave been deployed for Denmark in a militarymission, can include the sojourn into the prerequisite7 years’ residence on Danish soil outof 8 years in order to be able to receive cashbenefit instead of starting assistance.16The veterans’ policy of the Danish government