Much to the surprise of many non-Scandinavians, it is common to see prams with sleeping babies outside houses, cafes and shops in Copenhagen. It happens every day, all year round. It’s hard for visitors to understand how Copenhageners feel comfortable leaving their children outside alone, but it perfectly reflects the sense of trust and safety in the Danish capital.
The Greater Copenhagen region has become an international center for pharmacology, biotechnology and medical technology.
Copenhagen is one of the safest cities in the world, and the city generally has a reputation for being a beautiful, easy and peaceful destination. Something obvious to congressional delegates, other international visitors, and the many foreigners who call Copenhagen home. In recent years, the city has seen an influx of foreigners, most of whom are employed by Danish life science companies.
The Greater Copenhagen region has become an international center for pharmacology, biotechnology and medical technology. Copenhagen is where LifeScience was founded – a tripartite partnership between the public and private sectors and the city’s world-class universities and research institutes. This cross-sector partnership was established to facilitate the flow of knowledge, ideas and skills across different life sciences sectors and interests. The goal is to create an ecosystem to create innovative solutions to solve global health problems.
Copenhagen Life Sciences It exists to facilitate the dissemination of knowledge and skills, and sees international life science conferences as an integral part of its mission.
“Congresses provide a unique platform for knowledge exchange, network building and peer-to-peer networking in Copenhagen’s strongholds such as life sciences. We focus on congresses that contribute to more long-term, positive impacts by leveraging the event itself and the many opportunities for cross-sector collaboration in an open-minded and creative environment. Fantastic Copenhagen On top of that, and importantly, Copenhagen is considered a safe and peaceful destination, says Deputy Director Bettina Ravenlow Morier.
How to measure a safe city
As Reventlow-Murrier points out, security matters when Congress prepares. But how do you measure safety? Copenhagen currently tops the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Safe Cities Index, which ranks 60 cities across five continents. The index focuses on personal, health, infrastructure, digital and environmental security indicators. While Copenhagen scored high overall, it also topped the personal safety category. Perhaps this is not surprising in a city where local residents allow their children to sleep outside.
Denmark tops the world in the Corruption Perceptions Index with 90 points.
Among other things, this partly reflects the authentic Scandinavian culture of trust and community and partly the result of the well-being of wider Danish society. Among the OECD members, Denmark has the lowest poverty rate and ranks only behind Finland and Norway in terms of income inequality.
A city free from corruption
Another important factor when discussing security is corruption – or rather, the lack of it. At the Copenhagen Congress, international organizations chose a city without corruption. Denmark has the highest level of corruption in the world with 90 points. The communication is generally direct, timely and reliable. In addition, there is strong trust and cooperation between the many stakeholders of the city, which the unions use when organizing the city conference.
“The organizing process was a close collaboration between the scientific communities we represent, several universities and the Copenhagen Convention Bureau, and it was indeed a wonderful collaboration,” said Professor Lars Havid, from the University of Copenhagen and one of the international organizers of 2022. Congress of Parasitology (ICOPA) held in the capital of Denmark.
Come as you are
Congresses are held to bring people together, to create new knowledge and inspiration. The host city, then, should be welcoming to everyone; Here, Copenhagen succeeds. “Personally, I think Copenhagen is one of the friendliest cities I’ve ever been to,” said Perry Gil Rann, Associate Vice President of the Kenes Group, one of the organizers of ICOPA 2022. Most importantly, it makes you feel like you’re coming to a place where you’re welcome.
The city is home to more than 580 life science companies.
Copenhagen has a strong focus on promoting diversity, and congressional delegates can find it an open-minded and progressive city. Same-sex couples can expect to feel safe and secure at any time, day or night. Denmark is often recognized as the first country to legalize same-sex unions (1989), as it was one of the first to legalize same-sex marriage (2012). So come as you are – in other words, welcome to Copenhagen.
In addition to focusing on diversity, Copenhagen is often a healthy city. The city is home to more than 580 life science companies, of which 300 are biotech firms and 138 are medtech firms. Of course, the Danish health service is open to everyone, including congress visitors. And then there are hundreds of miles of cycle paths designed to make the daily commute quick and easy. Green spaces are ubiquitous, often cleverly designed and child-friendly. Visitors may want to take a dip in the harbor (basically a rite of passage for all Copenhageners) or the beaches of the bustling Amager district for a swim.
Everywhere is easily accessible by public transport – no more than 20 minutes from any congress venue. One of the most livable cities in the world, Copenhagen benefits from a life sciences sector that supports a secure future. Copenhagen Life Sciences. Perhaps it offers the best of science and life.
Take your next event, meeting or congress to Copenhagen. Get support from a personal advisor at hhp@woco.dk. or visit copenhagenlifescience.com/conventions.