Reflections from our "Neighbour Visits" kickoff at Mændenes Hjem

Yesterday, a visit to “Mændenes Hjem” in Vesterbro, marked the kick-off of our so-called “Neighbour Visits”. The initiative intends for us as a hub to expand our perspective on the world, build empathy and get to know broader Copenhagen - parts of the city that we as a group of academics, entrepreneurs and business professionals - are not familiar with. In a time where a lot of things are measured by output and impact, we think it is important to also take time to learn something new and to be inspired, and that is why we think the Neighbour Visits compliment the general focus of Global Shapers on its impact-driven social projects.

Mændenes Hjem is a Cph-based NGO which offers a range of social and health care services to people who are homeless, addicted to drugs or in other ways vulnerable. A group of us met with the director Ivan Christensen who gave us a thorough and inspiring overview of the history, structure and challenges of their organisation and gave plenty of room for questions. We all learned a lot and are very thankful for the openness to our visit.

As a hub, we have brainstormed institutions, communities, processes and places to visit, and we would love to hear your ideas for future Neighbour Visits - leave a comment below or send us a direct message with suggestions or invitations. On March 1st, we will join a public tour of the Imam Ali Mosque in Nørrebro (see their website for info to join one yourself).

By Rune Øster Mortensen. Rune is a design engineer by education and a humanitarian activist by choice. As of writing, he is on his way to Sierra Leone, where he will spend the next 4 months working with a Danish NGO to improve a school teaching disabled students.