PRESS RELEASE FROM THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND THE MINISTRY OF
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
Asiatisk Plads 2, 1448 København K - Tlf. +45 33 92 00 00, e-mail: um@um.dk
Bredgade 43, 1260 København K. – Tlf. + 45 33 92 97 00, e-mail: vtu@vtu.dk


COP15 Climate Conference: Denmark skips gifts and educates youth in stead

The Danish Government has decided to establish a 'COP15 Climate
Scholarship' for money saved pursuant to its policy of not giving
gifts to participants at the Climate Conference in Copenhagen later
this year.

At similar international conferences, participants usually receive
gifts and so-called conference-kits with various items from the host
country. At the COP15 in Copenhagen the number of participants is
expected to reach 15.000. As part of its efforts to reduce the
environmental and climate impact of the conference, the government has
decided to discontinue the practice of giving gifts. The DKK 4 million
(app. USD 700.000) hereby saved will instead be spent on climate
scholarships allowing 10-12 candidates from all over the world to
carry out 2-year climate related master's programs at Danish
universities.

"Our 0-gift policy and the COP15 Climate Scholarship are good signals
to send at a conference which requires innovation in terms of the way
we use our resources. Although there is no doubt as to the good
intentions behind giving gifts, we have often experienced how
conference kits end up in garbage bins at conference venues and
hotels. We want break that habit in Copenhagen and spend the money in
a constructive way", says Minister for Development Cooperation, Ulla
Tørnæs.

"The COP15 Climate Scholarship puts a spotlight on Denmark's strong
position in climate related research and the good possibilities for
qualifying yourself at Danish universities. Besides, the scholarship
is in line with the Government's goal to increase the exchange of
students across borders. With this scholarship, we hope to welcome a
group of clever young people from all over the world who will become
highly motivated to make a difference, and furthermore will get an
exhaustive knowledge about Danish technology and research", says
Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Helge Sander.


For more information on the COP15 Climate Scholarship:
www.studyindenmark.dk/climate

For further inquiries please contact
Chief Advisor Nis Gellert (Ministry for Foreign Affairs), tel. 33 92 02 77 or
International Advisor Christiane Mißlbeck-Winberg (CIRIUS), tel. 33 95 70 66
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and CIRIUS, 4 February 2009