You’ve seen it yourself and read about it endlessly on LinkedIn: The international talent that Denmark works so hard to attract is leaving in high numbers. These skilled professionals – the very people who could strengthen our industries, enrich our culture, and build our future – are packing their bags and walking away.
Lyndsay Jensen of The International Denmark calls them #TheForgottenGold.
But what if we could change that? What if we could support them to #StayinDK?
If you’ve followed my previous articles here, you know that I believe we can. And that the solution must be built and designed around Belonging.
I think there’s a good reason that the hashtag #TheForgottenGold resonates so much with internationals: it’s a way of referring to non-Danes that recognizes the richness and value they bring to Denmark. In a word (or, rather, a hashtag) it is giving us a tiny sip of the deep belonging we’re all yearning for – where we are seen, valued, and invited for who we are. For the very things that make us different.
This made me realize: We don’t have any other words or phrases that do this. How do we usually refer to this group? The word “foreigner” is the verbal epitome of exclusion and othering. The word “internationals” feels somehow vague and euphemistic, and it doesn’t carry that intangible sense of richness and potential. “Expat” conjures up the idea of privilege, and maybe even entitlement, at least for me; and “immigrant” is loaded with unfortunately negative political associations.
I believe in the power of words and metaphors to shift our mental models and create real change. This is a moment of electric potential, when we can shift the narrative about internationals. Friends, we need a word.
#TheForgottenGold has launched us on that journey, but it can’t carry us all the way. Because at the very moment it invites recognition of the untapped potential of internationals, it also permanently ties it to the problematic dismissal of that potential. It is a great space for raising awareness of the problem and sharing experiences with one another. But we must also accept its invitation to ask ourselves: “How else could it be?” We don’t want the gold to be forgotten, right? What *do* we want then? We must imagine and build the alternative.
We can turn to the wisdom of the Danes here. One of my favorite Danish-isms is the way they frame “step families” – the family you inherit from a partner’s former relationship. In Denmark, they’re often called bonusfamilie. The framing is beautiful. It says, “I embrace this person for exactly who they are, including all the experiences and choices that have led them to this moment. This person enhances the value and love of our new family because they bring their history with them.“
So, who are we? How do we see ourselves, and how do we want our Danish friends and neighbors to see us? How about as Bonus Citizens? Bonus Friends? Bonus Neighbors?
Friends, I invite you to #StayinDK, not as foreigners with forgotten value, but as human beings with rich histories, as people who enhance the value and love of our new Danish family because you bring your history with you. I invite you to refer to yourselves and one another as the #bonusfamilie of Denmark, and watch how perceptions change.
Do you long to be part of a community designed around belonging? Join nabo, where every post, every comment, and every resource for settling in Denmark is built around one principle: you belong here. Become a neighbor, and contribute to the community as a subscriber (70 kr/month), a volunteer community builder (free), or as a receiver (free): https://mynabo.dk
