Folkevirke

Folkevirke is the women's own cross-political movement of adult education. It was founded in 1944 by Bodil Koch, later minister of the church and minister of culture. The initiating point was the anger or indignation the Danish women felt after the general election in 1943 for our "FOLKETING", the Danish parliament, when only two out of the four female members were re-elected. Folkevirke has been known to bring what you would call "early warnings". Time and again a subject has been thoroughly treated in our circles and meetings, when the government sets up a campaign over the country dealing with just that issue! Right from the start our major principle has been to keep our courses cross-political, i.e. not representing any of the political parties. Also time is always set aside for discussions with the participants and lecturers, to help promoting genuine democracy. Folkevirke thinks it is important to democracy in Denmark, that everybody is heard - and that it is the argument that counts. "The word and not the sword". Folkevirke has since 1990 participated in international cooperation’s through EU-funded projects and Nordplus projects. The members of Folkevirke have a joint belief that it is important in the multi-cultural and globalized society of today to be active citizens focusing on making the values of the society visible to all. Folkevirke is the women's own cross-political movement of adult education. Folkevirke deals with subjects we find important: Environmental questions - new technologies including genetic technology - food-radiation - the challenge of migration and minorities - ethical questions - economics national level, questions arising up to the national referendum on the Maastricht treaty -literature - theatre - music - museums - art, especially women artists, and so forth. Right from the start our major principle has been to keep our courses cross-political, i.e. not representing any of the political parties. Also time is always set aside for discussions with the participants and lecturers, to help promoting genuine democracy Folkevirke has since the early 1990’s been involved in adult education at an international level – in projects in Nordplus and EU. For several project Folkevirke has been the coordinating organisation.