Danish Christians are privileged with their freedom in education "You can't just quote the Bible to politicians." it's the best school in the region: the free Christian school of Skjern the final grades of the primary school are above regional (6.7) and national (7.3) averages School principal Allan Haahr Hansen is pragmatic about it The towering fifty-something has been leading the school – with nearly 400 students – for over nine years "I've been in Christian education my whole life," the head teacher states in his office the sound of drumming and piano music can be heard; further down the hall Hansen doesn't seem to notice; he enjoys his work in Skjern "There are nice people to work with here and we believe in Christian education." "We have a lot of freedom to shape our education the government foots the bills for 75 per cent," states the director of Foreningen af Kristne Friskoler the Danish Association of Christian Free Schools (FKF) Christensen is the contact person for 35 Christian primary schools and 18 daycare centres he represents their interests in the public debate but we are very fortunate with the Danish system." The establishment of FKF in 1971 was a response from concerned Christian parents against the liberalisation of Denmark "Denmark was one of the first European countries to legalise abortion and pornography Many Christians felt that they had to protect their children because society was moving in the wrong direction the people of the revival movement Lutheran Mission took the step towards a free organisation outside the state institutions chose to remain faithful to the state schooling system many of the Lutheran Mission felt it was time to leave "It was a protest movement," says Christensen it was a protest movement to protect children that protection caused a political controversy surrounding Christian schools a Christian website clumsily set homosexuality and incest in the same equation and that particular website was referenced in some teaching material that was used at a Christian school It prompted the then Minister of Education to condemn not only the material also to threaten the entire private school system with restrictive measures FKF immediately and strongly distanced itself from the material but it was a turbulent period for Christian education in Denmark That affair prompted FKF to reconsider their communication "We realised that we couldn't just bring our Biblical linguistics into politics," explains Christensen "If you want to address something about sexual ethics you might as well quote the latest Batman movie It's pointless to try to convince people with communication that means nothing to them." values maintained." "Instead of leaving society and seeking protection we want to make our children resilient while maintaining our values." "We have to address the subject in our lessons we're allowed to add our own opinion." Both Hansen and Christensen agree that Christian education in Denmark is in calm waters for now they do not experience major problems in their field He is concerned about the demographics of the Skjern region; classes are slowly shrinking "There are fewer and fewer children being born in this area That is obviously not good for our school." Sonoco recently announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire S.P a privately owned manufacturer of paper based in Skjern The acquisition expands production capacity for customers and Sonoco converting operations throughout Europe and bordering regions The estimated $88 million (675 million DKK) all-cash transaction has been unanimously approved by Sonoco’s Board of Directors and is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2022 Skjern is a leading producer of high-grade paperboard from 100% recycled paper for rigid paper containers The company has robust sustainability programs in place for renewable energy and CO2 emission reduction and operations are powered by a biomass boiler Skjern is expected to achieve annual sales of $50 million and the transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to both earnings per share and cash flow “This acquisition builds on Sonoco’s previously articulated strategy to invest in our core businesses while capitalizing on the growing market for sustainable paper and packaging products in Europe,” said Howard Coker “Skjern has a strong reputation for high quality output from efficient and low emission operations which aligns well with Sonoco’s overall commitment to a circular economy and the reduction of greenhouse gases Sonoco is better positioned to be a trusted provider to new and existing customers and to further accelerate organic growth in Europe We warmly welcome the Skjern team to the Sonoco family.” Stora Enso has completed the acquisition of the Finnish sawmill company Junnikkala Oy Mondi announces that following the start-up of its state-of-the-art paper machine at its Štětí mill.. a global leader in industrial packaging products and services Kimberly-Clark Corporation recently announced plans to invest over $2 billion over the next 5 years.. International Paper announces the groundbreaking of its new state-of-the-art sustainable a leading full-service packaging solutions supplier for the world’s biggest beauty SPM International announces Bill Partipilo as the new CEO of SPM Instrument boxboard production in Q1 2025 fell 1% compared to Q1 2024 Smurfit Westrock plc announced it will permanently close its coated recycled board (CRB) mill in.. Valmet will deliver a disc filter refurbishment and reinstallation to Holmen Paper’s Braviken Paper Mill.. By Belinda Kelly According to new research Nordic Paper has today decided to approve environmental investments of up to SEK 450 million.. Together with its Turkish partner company Labtek the German testing equipment manufacturer emtec Electronic will.. Mondi has successfully started up its Duino mill This milestone further strengthens Mondi’s position as.. Gulf Paper Manufacturing and Toscotec started up PM2 after a forming section upgrade at their.. Södra delivered a stable result for the first quarter of 2025 VPK Group announces the acquisition of Open Imballaggi a well-established sheet plant specializing in corrugated.. a leading full-line supplier of technologies and services for the paper industry Amcor and Berry Global Group recently announced the European Commission (EC) has granted unconditional approval.. Stora Enso plans to implement a new organisation with seven P&L responsible business areas reflecting.. Georgia-Pacific’s Savannah River mill in Rincon now accepts polyethylene (PE)-coated paper cups in its.. John Hardwick Twitter Facebook and both indoor and outdoor viewpoints to look outward across the landscape the extensions and the new interior building elements are primarily simple wooden constructions which reiterate the dimensions and rhythm of the original concrete reliefs all images by rasmus norlander through this revitalization, johansen skovsted arkitekter creates a direct link between the old structure and the new while introducing new texture and materiality the cladding and main structure become one which is reflected in the budget as well as the final expression the original pump stations were engineered in 1966 to be unsentimental and raw in their materiality rhythmic relief of the concrete façades recalls imagery of the surrounding ploughed furrows of the fields and the profiles of the soil that dictate the trajectory of the river by building on this motif the relationship of the buildings with their natural context and its history is strengthened.
 photography: rasmus norlander AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style greyboard and greyliner producer Skjern Paper for an estimated purchase price of €90m... Service Customer Service+49 7224 9397-701servicenoSpam@GO-AWAYeuwid.de Editorial Team+49 7224 9397-0papernoSpam@GO-AWAYeuwid.com Get the latest news about developments and trends in the industry sent to you once a week free of charge by newsletter Sign up for our newsletter We use cookies and external services on our website others enhance your user experience or help us improve this website You can change your privacy settings any time by clicking privacy policy Necessary cookies are required for the correct functioning of the website Content from video platforms and map services is blocked by default. If access to these services is accepted, separate consent is no longer required when using them. You can find more information on the individual external services in our privacy policy DRAW: Recent champions meet and potential first-time winners clash in hotly-anticipated semi-finals after TruckScout24 EHF FINAL4 semi-final… DRAW: The four sides who made it through the qualification tournaments now know who they will face in Cologne QUARTER-FINAL REVIEW: A 30:29 victory for Szeged was not enough to book their first ticket to Cologne a single goal separated the 2023 title winners and Veszprém QUARTER-FINAL REVIEW: 2018 finalists end Sporting CP’s Machineseeker EHF Champions League journey with second quarter-final win QUARTER-FINAL REVIEW: After a nine-goal win in the first leg HANDBALL THROUGH MY EYES: Versatile One Veszprém back Nedim Remili reveals why he loves handball OFFICIAL STATEMENT: Court of Handball issues further decision regarding withdrawal of Vipers from EHF Champions League NEWS: Györi Audi ETO KC will meet Team Esbjerg and Metz Handball will play against Odense Håndbold on 31 May in the MVM Dome in Budapest STATS COUNTER: Julian Rux analyses the data to provide statistical insights for the Match of the Week Christians attend their own church service And in criticism of the Lutheran state Church A faint sunshine enters the historic house of worship through the large windows seven women sit on the platform near the altar The children are recently baptised newborns they get used to the atmosphere and the rhythms at an early age." Villekjær is a pastor within the Lutheran Church of Denmark Some 70 per cent of Danes are member of this people's church though at most 2 per cent attend church weekly Conservative Christians are in the minority and their numbers are shrinking as this state church liberalises further Allowing women into the ministry and blessing gay marriages only increased the outflow movement to free congregations has no intention of switching to a congregation independent of the state church It is precisely this connection with the state that keeps him there it is the church which adds children to the birth register on behalf of the state "The Danish People's Church is still the best way to reach people with the Word of God," says Villekjær The term Biblebelt is unfamiliar to most Danes inquiries reveal that most conservative Christians reside in Western Jutland is a stronghold for Denmark's only Christian political party: the Christian Democrats (KD) It's about a two-hour drive north from the German border towards the west coast the journey continues on smaller roads through the barren Jutland landscape everything lies open and exposed to God," wrote the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard in the nineteenth century which bring a rainy and unpredictable climate Stormy weather alternates between rain showers "The [Jutland] heath must be particularly suitable for producing strong spirits," wrote Kierkegaard These strong spirits have developed the region into what Danes call "Production Denmark"; where Eastern Denmark holds knowledge Western Denmark is characterised by innovation and production Wind turbine giant Vestas originates from the region and toy manufacturer Lego also has its roots in Western Jutland the region is characterised by its conservatism The population predominantly leans to the right and it is in this area where various revival movements have their strongholds 2012 brought the people of Skjern to a crossroads the first same-sex marriage within the Folkekirken was performed he severed ties with the Danish People's Church "The church agreed to something that has no basis in the Bible who had previously served as a missionary in Botswana founded a "congregation of choice" in 2006 with around a hundred members This congregation was part of the National Lutheran Church but has more freedom to tailor worship according to its preferences which caused it to lose its connection with the people I was then asked to lead the new church." "2012" further alienated the choice congregation from the Folkekirken It decided to sever all ties and become a free congregation They renounced their membership in the Folkekirken because they wanted to belong to a Christian congregation." In the eighteen years since Skjern Bykirke (pronounced: Buu-kirke) was founded it has grown into a congregation with over five hundred members This growth prompted the congregation to relocate to an industrial estate; they now gather in a former butchery Sterile-looking tiles serve as reminders of the building's previous purpose "We have tried to preserve some things." the Danish People's Church is viewed as a liberal institution with outdated traditions While priest Orla Villekjær remains loyal to the state church because of baptism that sacrament is precisely why he is not to be a member "I would regularly have to baptise children who never will set a foot in a church again And the significance of such a baptism is negligible for those involved," says the 27-year-old minister "I would find it difficult to be part of such a machine." Jefsen-Hansen ministers in a congregation that is part of the Luthersk Mission (Lutheran Mission) This revival movement emerged mid-19th century in response to the liberalising Folkekirken Participants of the movement gathered aside from church services for Bible studies and other meetings "Organising our own church services was long taboo but that changed about twelve years ago," says Jefsen-Hansen This development did not pose many issues with the Folkekirken "I think that's because we attract different target groups The People's Church is for people who appreciate tradition and structure We sometimes laugh during the service," the priest grins While still being a member of the Folkekirken Villekjær recognises and shares the objections of his fellow clergy "I would like to add some more contemporary music to the liturgy," he states The organ music was why his daughter with Down Syndrome switched to Skjern Bykirke "She simply prefers more rhythmic music we hardly differ." This sentiment is also confirmed by Lomborg and Jefsen-Hansen "We are all Bible-believing Christians with an orthodox and conservative outlook on church life," Lomborg asserts there is little political choice in Denmark The municipality of Ringkøbing-Skjern is their national stronghold Although local politicians decline to comment the image emerges of a party searching for connection The priest is a vocal anti-abortion activist who rose to national prominence after participating in a pro-life demonstration in priestly attire in the 1990s I cannot vote for them nationally." Similar sentiments are echoed by various others there is no Danish party you can vote for based on values," Villekjær asserts When strolling through Skjern —a town with mostly low-rise houses— one cannot escape the sight of numerous flagpoles "We hoist the flag on birthdays." The flag also plays a significant role at funerals During a funeral procession in a nearby village distinguished by his characteristic white collar He walks through the cemetery towards a waiting hearse "As soon as the casket is lowered into the grave or placed in the car en route to the crematorium the flag is raised to full mast," Lomborg explains That's why we also fly the flag on Good Friday." Cremation is becoming increasingly common among Christians "It's not as common here because people are more traditional-minded God can gather ashes during the Last Judgment contractors in Skjern are diligently working on new housing developments These homes will predominantly be occupied by young families from the cities The consequences of this trend also affect the churches "It's challenging to engage them in church activities," Jefsen-Hansen observes "Young families have little time for gatherings amidst their work and family lives." Several contractors working on housing projects are Christian quite a few Christians actually reside here." the office seeks to bridge the gap between contemporary building processes and materials the office sees structure as a lively part of the space it makes by placing and connecting components which are both readable and relatable and which strongly contribute to a particular spatial character Skjern Handbold earned a hard-fought win over Alpla Hard grabbing the one remaining Last 16 ticket from group C of the EHF European League Men Balatonfüredi could not surprise group leaders Nexe and with the sixth defeat of the season they lost any chance of progressing further Francisco Costa and Leonel Maciel led Sporting to a seven-goal win against Fraikin BM avenging a round 2 loss and consequently leapfrogged the Spaniards in the group GROUP CBalatonfüredi KSE (HUN) vs RK Nexe (CRO) 28:31 (14:16) Nexe defended their group leader status by defeating Balatonfüred thus eliminating their opponents from the competition Despite 14 saves by Arián Andó and good defence leaving Nexe in front throughout the whole match Nexe managed to get their hands on a slender lead which they extended in the second half It was achieved thanks to good work with line player Gianfranco Pribetic and strong shots by Luka Moslavac ending the night with seven and six goals respectively Péter Hornyák and Stevan Sretenovic scored 21 Hungarian goals out of 28 and gave their side hope in the closing minutes Nexe took advantage and secured a 31:28 win Skjern Handbold (DEN) vs Alpla Hard (AUT) 27:23 (13:10) Skjern Handbold are the final Last 16 passengers from group C after leaving Alpla Hard without a win and at the bottom of the table Alpla Hard netted only two times in the opening 10 minutes of the match and it says enough about their offensive display Skjern had good movement of the ball and with the help of two goals from Alfred Jönsson The Austrian side returned to life with Golub Doknic's saves but a series of Skjern goals saw the lead extended to five There were glimpses of hope for a turnaround in the second half as almost every Hard player netted but Skjern stayed strong and celebrated their progression to the Last 16 Emil Siersbæk Bergholt with an acrobatic skill for @SkjernHaandbold 🙃#ehfel pic.twitter.com/2bbRtmRdiF Sporting CP (POR) vs Fraikin BM. Granollers (ESP) 38:31 (15:14) Sporting got their revenge for a 32:29 defeat in round 2 and took over the second spot in the Group from Granollers In a first half full of attractive saves from both sides Leonel Maciel was at 33 per cent save efficiency with seven saves while Rangel Luan da Rosa stopped nine Sporting attempts at a 41 per cent save efficiency Granollers were the first to take the advantage (6:3) but Sporting's fastbreaks saw the Portuguese side stay in touch The home side got their hands on their first lead in the match mid-way through the first half and stretched it out to 24:19 in the second half Yusuf Faruk and Jan Gurri Arregay shone for their respective sides but an outstanding performance by the Costa brothers and Salvador Salvador took over the spotlight backed by Leonel Maciel giving an impetus to his teammates 🦁 Leo Maciel saving the day for @SCPModalidades 🤩#ehfel pic.twitter.com/trziuMV7EY You said no to using cookies or similar tools that help improve your experience. To see this content, you would need to update your Privacy Preferences FEATURE: Latvian right back to play with Melsungen at Maschinensucher EHF Finals in Hamburg FEATURE: Thüringer HC left back becomes MVP and top scorer of EHF Finals Women after netting 29 times in Graz SUMMARY: Thüringer HC are crowned in Graz as the new EHF European League Women champions following an intense final against Ikast Håndbold FLASH QUOTES: Comments from players and coaches after the EHF Finals Women 2025 final and third place match FINAL REVIEW: THC come from behind to beat Ikast 34:32 at the EHF Finals in Graz THIRD-PLACE MATCH REVIEW: The French side beat their opponents from Germany at the EHF Finals Women FINAL PREVIEW: Ikast Håndbold meet Thüringer HC in final; Blomberg and Dijon play for third place SUMMARY: Ikast Håndbold and Thüringer HC celebrated semi-final wins in Graz as they get ready for the final on Sunday SEMI-FINAL REVIEW: The German side beat Dijon 35:29 in the second semi-final of the EHF Finals Women FLASH QUOTES: Comments from players and coaches after the EHF Finals Women 2025 semi-finals The Local Europe ABVästmannagatan 43113 25 StockholmSweden the Danish population of Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality in western Jutland has decreased by nearly 8 percent the municipality’s overall population has declined just 3.3 percent which the municipality has made a concerted effort to attract to the region since 2015 “I think the main reason politicians decided to put some money behind attracting and retaining internationals is because our population is decreasing and companies in our region need qualified labour,” Dorthe Frydendahl Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality’s settlement coordinator Attracting foreign labour has become particularly important as Denmark faces a particularly tight labour market the unemployment rate within Ringkøbing-Skjern is 1.6 percent half that of Denmark’s national unemployment rate of 3.3 percent Danish migration patterns drive immigration demand  “The reason we see more municipalities in rural areas calling for action is because they have seen a lot of locals leave for Denmark’s urban centers,” Søren Kjærsgaard Høfler political consultant in global mobility at the Confederation of Danish Industry (Dansk Industri DI is an interest organisation representing approximately 18,500 companies across Denmark The shortage is especially acute for skilled labour “The companies based in these municipalities would like to stay there the companies not only have to recruit people to their company but also to their municipality,” Høfler said has been a closer partnership between municipalities and companies attracting highly skilled international workers the municipality - Denmark’s third most popular tourist destination - often recruits Germans who are familiar with the region from years of holidaying there The municipality gathers CVs on its website for prospective residents from those interested in moving to the area and distributes them to local companies Vejle Municipality in southeastern Jutland has also expanded its efforts to recruit international talent Among its most effective initiatives has been hiring an expat business consultant dedicated to helping international employees’ accompanying spouses and partners find work in the region Her role as settlement guide within Velje’s Newcomer Service department aims to assist international residents in the region they have a single point of contact they can meet face to face who can guide them or advocate for them if they got a ‘no’ when they should have gotten a ‘yes’ from agencies,” Nielsen told The Local Ringkøbing-Skjern is Denmark’s largest municipality by area maintaining the municipality’s population is integral to keeping schools and other social services available throughout its villages said the municipality’s department head of external development “The only way we can do that is if people choose to live here,” Jørgensen told The Local “If we didn’t have internationals settling in our villages I don’t think we would be able to sustain the number of local schools and childcare facilities.” “I think our politicians have seen the value of trying to be international in 2021,” Nielsen said adding that tax-paying internationals can also help fill the municipality’s coffers “[Our politicians] see the municipality’s role to help newcomers receive the help they need Please log in here to leave a comment The last stage of the combined energy park Holmen in Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality in the Western part of Jutland is now connected to the grid European Energy has been responsible for the development of the last 3 stages of the energy park European Energy has connected the solar park Holmen II to the electricity grid the total of 4 sub-projects in the combined energy park Holmen in Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality have been built and connected to the grid The new solar park has an energy capacity of 51 MW and will in future produce green power for the surrounding electricity grid corresponding to approx The entire Holmen Energy Park covers two solar parks with a total energy capacity of 71 MW and two wind farms with a total energy capacity of 39.6 MW The combination of sun and wind provides stable production as the two forms of renewable energy complement each other we have been working on developing an energy park at Holmen in Ringkøbing-Skjern municipality and we are very happy to have connected the last part of the energy park to the grid“ who is responsible for Holmen II Solar Park „The politicians in Ringkøbing-Skjern municipality have been incredibly forward-looking and visionary in their work to be a leading municipality in the green transition.“ European Energy has put a sum of several million DKK into the green fund in Ringkøbing Skjern municipality because of the projects voluntary agreements have been entered into with local civic associations which will receive an amount of support each year during the operation of the parks it is money that will benefit the local community in the form of projects and activities Did you miss that? Solar hybrid power plants ensure stable power generation „The project is part of the 1,000 hectares of solar for which the city council in Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality has already drawn up a local plan So Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality is still at the forefront of the green conversion of our electricity system – both solar and wind It is gratifying that this facility can already deliver green power in 2022“ chairman of the Technical and Environmental Committee in Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality European Energy has connected over projects with a total energy capacity of over 500 MW in Denmark Holmen II is a project developed in collaboration between European Energy and Copenhagen Energy Also interesting: Novel system combination with PV, wind and storage Looking to stay on top of all relevant industry and business news? Click here to subscribe to our free twice-weekly pv Europe newsletter. A podcast for investors on the opportunities and risks of the solar market The pv Europe editorial team offers their own analysis and discusses current topics with experts Skjern Handbold made it to the VELUX EHF Champions League Quarter-finals for the first time in their history after sensationally eliminating Telekom Veszprém HC Veszprém entered the match fired up to turn the tables after losing the first leg away by seven goals When Dejan Manaskov made it 10:7 for Veszprém after a clever pass from Momir Ilic Skjern coach Ole Norgaard had to react with a timeout to slow the progress of the Hungarian giants The red sea of enthusiastic fans pushed Veszprém to their limits but his counterpart Emil Nielsen also showed signs of brilliance as the Danish side managed to keep the aggregate in their favour at the end of the first half The Scandinavian back-court duo Jesper Konradsson and Kasper Søndergaard were two of the main threats for the visitors two suspensions for Veszprém switched the momentum in favour of Skjern the Hungarian team seemed incredibly nervous resulting in bad passes and unconvincing combinations Penalty king Tibor Ivanisevic stepped in in the 44th minute to remind everyone of his brilliant penalty-saving success and Skjern soon levelled the score courtesy of Anders Eggert (24:24) A change to 4-2 defence and the productive Petar Nenadic (nine goals) gave Veszprém hope as they pulled four goals ahead with eight minutes remaining but Skjern held on to the aggregate advantage A symbolic goal from Ivanisevic ended all hopes for the Hungarian side but finished with the bitter taste of a five-goal win that was not enough – the Last 16 clash was lost in the first match in Denmark Veszprém coach Ljubomir Vranjes did not hide his disappointment after the game: “I am sad We played well today but the problem was the game in Demark we tried to overcome the seven-goal deficit and it is my mistake we did not qualify into the next round.” His counterpart Norgaard was obviously a happy man: “We played two great matches with an exceptional opponent underlined by quality individual performances.” Source: eurohandball.com – Press release and website in this browser for the next time I comment Y"},"category":false,"taxonomy":{"active":false,"name":"category"}},"markup":{"custom_html":true,"wpp-start":"","wpp-end":"<\/ul>","title-start":"","title-end":"<\/h2>","post-html":"{thumb} {title} {stats}<\/span>{excerpt}<\/p><\/li>"},"theme":{"name":""}} You have successfully joined our subscriber list SupportUs Newsletter © 2025 DailyNewsHungary | All rights reserved