The Embassy and the American-Danish Business Council held the second annual reception for the Congressional Friends of Denmark Caucus on June 12th. Competing with the opening match of the World Cup and other similar Congress events, I was very happy that our event attracted more than 250 high ranking staffers from both the House and the Senate. New connections were made with Congressional staff and members of the American Danish Business Council and hopefully this will lead to an even more fruitful engagement between Denmark and America.

The theme this year was “Danish is not just a pastry” showcasing beautiful pictures from Denmark with Danish music as well as a little taste of Denmark. As studies have shown, and as Congressman Hoyer remarked in his speech, Denmark is consistently at the top of the list of the happiest countries in the world. Besides the fact that it is a beautiful country, Danish happiness comes from a healthy work-life balance and the Danish welfare model, with its flexible working conditions and social support networks, including maternity leave and childcare facilities.

Not only do I hope to have more cooperation with the Friends of Denmark Caucus in future but I am also looking forward to even greater cooperation with Ambassador Rufus Gifford – the US Ambassador to Denmark. As part of that collaboration, I am pleased to welcome Ambassador Gifford as an honorary member of the ADBC Board of Directors.   This cooperation will benefit the business community in both Denmark and the US as we promote trade and investment between our countries and the positions of our countries during the TTIP negotiations.

Ambassador Gifford and I recently held a Twitter Town Hall answering questions regarding climate change, trade, and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations. The Town Hall potentially reached 852,619 people. You can read more here: #AskUSDK

The Twitter Town Hall is also part of the Embassy’s increasing use of social media. Over the past year we have substantially increased the use of Facebook (facebook.com/ambwashington) and Twitter (#DKinUSA @DenmarkinUSA). We have made 2,600 tweets and are followed by more than 3,600 people, organizations and businesses on Twitter. Both on Facebook and Twitter we provide content and engage in dialogue and surveillance on a daily basis. Moreover, ADBC maintains a LinkedIn group of 253 members with discussions regarding trade and investment opportunities between our countries.

I wish you all a good summer holiday and look forward to all the fall ADBC activities.

Best regards,

//Peter Taksoe-Jensen