Showing posts with label issues. Show all posts
Showing posts with label issues. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

How To: Using The Post Office In Denmark (by Demelza Endenburg)

You might think the title of this article a bit odd, and normally we would certainly agree with you. But how many traditional post offices buildings have you seen in Denmark lately? Our point exactly!
It has been common for some years in parts of Europe, to close the traditional post office building and move a smaller office into, for instance, a supermarket or stationer’s shop. And Post Danmark, responsible for your mail, packages, stamps etc. here in Denmark, felt inspired by this. They have recently announced that all traditional post offices will be closed down in the future. Even the big and fancy one in the middle of Copenhagen! In Denmark, these post offices are now called ‘postbutikker’.



Post office in Holstebro
As you might have noticed, they already changed from a post office to a ‘postbutik’ in Holstebro years ago. Nowadays, you have to go to the supermarket called Kvickly on Brogårdsvej 6, to pick up your packages. At least, most of the time, sometimes you’re required to pick your package up at something called ‘Døgnposten’ or ‘Pakkeboksen’, but we’ll get to that later.
The good thing about the post offices moving into shops is the fact that they now, sometimes, have more flexible opening hours. This is however (not yet) the case in Holstebro. Currently, the post office is not open on Sundays, but that might change in the future. For more information about the opening hours: http://www.kvickly.dk/Butikker+og+aabningstider/5500


Picking up a package at a ‘postbutik’
What to do, if you come home and there’s a piece of paper in your mail box that says that you have to pick up a package or letter at the post office or ‘postbutik’?  First of all, you obviously need to bring that piece of paper with you. Secondly, you need to prove that you’re the person the package has been addressed to. In other words, you’ll need some form of ID. In most cases your sundhedskort will suffice. In some cases, though, you will have to bring an ID with a picture on it; both a driver’s licence and a passport are allowed. It will say which form of ID you need to bring, on the piece of paper.
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Authorizing someone else to pick up your package
This is also possible. You can authorize a specific person to do that for you. All you need to do is fill-in the back of the piece of paper that you got in your mail box. You need to state the name of the person picking it up and then sign it with your signature. The person you have authorized must then bring a valid ID of him or herself to the post office to pick up the package.

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Picking up a package in ‘Døgnposten’ or ‘Pakkeboksen’
It’s starting to become more and more common, when ordering something on a webshop, that you then have to pick up your package in something called ‘Døgnposten’ or ‘Pakkeboksen’. In most cases you will have agreed to this beforehand, and made a user account at Post Danmark’s website, but that’s not always the case. If you do not wish to pick up your package here, but would prefer the normal ‘postbutik’, then you can call customer service at 70 11 22 12.

This system is not difficult to use, however, and the big advantage is that you can pick up your package 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You will be informed through e-mail or sms that a package is waiting for you, which means that there won’t be a traditional piece of paper in your mail box when you come home. This e-mail or sms will also contain a code, which you will have to use to open up the particular locker that contains your package. Remember to bring your sundhedskort as well; you will need to insert it into the machine as a form of identification.

Visit Post Danmark’s Self Service to find out where the particular ‘Døgnpost’ or ‘pakkepost’ is located. If you’re living in Holstebro, you will most likely have to pick it up at number 666, which is to the left of the train station in Holstebro.


More information
For more information regarding, for instance what it costs to send a letter abroad, you can check out Post Danmark’s website in English.


Monday, May 13, 2013

Denmark: 6th Best Country to be a Mother

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According to the 14th Annual Mothers' Index issued by the NGO Save the Children (Red Barnet), Denmark ranks 6th best country to be a mother. Finland topped the list of countries, followed by Sweden, Norway, Iceland and Netherlands. Niger, Mali, Sierra Leone, Somalia and DR Congo, on the other hand, are the worst out of 176 countries. 

The countries were ranked according to five indicators: 
  • maternal health
  • children's well-being
  • educational 
  • economic 
  • political status 

Based on the report, it is apparent that the Nordic countries are succeeding in providing the best conditions for mothers and their children. Meanwhile, the poorest and most conflict-infested nations at the bottom of the list show figures that are grim and heartbreaking. 

Among the reasons why Denmark has been consistently on top of the list are the country's policies on gender equality, safe environment, the accessibility of essential obstetric care, effective contraceptive practices and an excellent maternity leave scheme - 52 weeks of maternity leave with benefits and up to 14 weeks after the baby is born; fathers are also entitled to a 2 week leave within the first 14 weeks that the baby is born. Denmark has it good; perhaps that is why the Danes were deemed the happiest people in the world. 

As a woman looking into becoming a mother in the future, it is comforting to know that living in Denmark means I am guaranteed outstanding maternal benefits and the best possible care for me and my children. However, as a person coming from a country belonging to the lower half of the list, it's disturbing to think that while superior maternal conditions are accessible to some, there are still a lot of countries where even the most  basic needs of children and mothers are not being met. This stark constant can be significantly reduced if life-saving measures such as: female education, family planning and skilled birth attendants can be made available to the countries where help is needed the most.



Read the report and learn how you can take action.
To learn more about maternal leave and benefits in Denmark, click here.
Surviving the First Day - State of the World's Mothers - Infographic