Prepared for the future of work Follow-up on the Danish Disruption Council FEBRUARYFEBRUAR 2019 2019 3 Content Preface ...................................................................................................... 4 Joint chapter The Government’s and Danish Disruption Council’s objectives for the future Denmark ........................................................................ 6 The Government’s follow-up on the Disruption Council’s work Chapter 1. New and higher requirements for the education system of the future .................... 12 Chapter 2. Productive and responsible companies in a digital world .................................. 26 Chapter 3. A modern and flexible labour market ........................................................ 38 Chapter 4. Globalisation, foreign labour and free trade ................................................ 48 Annex Annex 1. Output from the Council ........................................................................ 60 Annex 2. Financial overview .............................................................................. 62 4 Preface We have done well for ourselves in Denmark. Over The Council has set a common goal for Denmark the course of generations, we have built a country to remain one of the wealthiest countries in the that gives citizens and companies the opportunity world and to ensure that Danes get the prosperity to live out their potential in a well-functioning and security that they have every right to expect. society. At the same time, we have set a goal that everyone in Denmark must successfully step into the future. The fact that our country is prosperous is no Everyone should have a real prospect of being able accident. For many years, we have been good at to live a good life and a future with many oppor- seizing the opportunities provided through tech- tunities. nological advances and globalisation, and thereby improving life for the ordinary Dane. That is how it Over the past two years, the Danish Disruption must be in the future as well. Council has visited every region of the country. It has validated our belief that in Denmark, we have And that is why we must prepare Denmark for what all the necessary preconditions to make the future the future will bring. We must exploit the oppor- even better than the present. tunities that robots, artificial intelligence and new business models provide while making sure that We would like to thank everyone who has contrib- no one in Denmark is left behind as we move uted to the work of the Danish Disruption Council forward into the future. and supported this initiative. Once more, Denmark has shown that we are strongest when we work We must carry on with the unique Danish tradition together in partnership to find a solution. where solutions to major societal challenges are found in close cooperation between elected re­­pre- The Danish Government sentatives, social partners, companies, civil society, experts and citizens. The Danish Disruption Council also reflects this approach. 6 THE GOVERNMENT’S AND DANISH DISRUPTION COUNCIL’S OBJECTIVES FOR THE FUTURE DENMARK – THE DISRUPTION COUNCIL The Government’s and Danish Disruption Council’s objectives for the future Denmark We live in a time of great changes, which presents us with new opportunities as well as new challenges. It is important that we tackle these changes in a way that keeps Denmark and individual Danes in a strong position in the future. The work of the Danish Disruption Council has two The members of the Danish Disruption Council overarching ambitions for Denmark: agree that Denmark faces the challenges of the future from a strong foundation. We must safe- 1. Denmark must continue to be one of the guard the things that make our society great, but wealthiest countries in the world. Danes must we must also exercise prudence and prepare to have the prosperity and security that they seize the opportunities that exist so that all Danes rightfully expect, and the public services must can benefit from what the future holds in store. adapt according to societal changes and be marked by quality. We must carry on with the unique Danish tradition where solutions to major societal challenges are 2. We must make everyone the winners of the found in close cooperation between elected repre- future. We must not become divided into those sentatives, social partners, companies, civil society, who benefit from change and those who are experts and citizens. left behind because of it. Everyone should have a real prospect of being able to live a good life. The Danish Disruption Council and the three most recent tripartite agreements on more apprentice- These two ambitions have been the framework ships, strengthened adult and continuing training, around a total of eight meetings in the Danish and integration of refugees to the labour market Disruption Council. are good examples of that. Based on analytical work and input from external The tripartite negotiations are based on a tradition guests and speakers, the Council has discussed that goes back more than a century, where the the best course for Denmark to navigate into Government and the social partners have contin- the future. ually come together to take joint responsibility for balanced, responsible solutions to labour market Throughout our country’s history, we have been challenges. good at taking advantage of new opportunities. THE DISRUPTION COUNCIL – THE GOVERNMENT’S AND DANISH DISRUPTION COUNCIL’S OBJECTIVES FOR THE FUTURE DENMARK 7 In general, the Danish Disruption Council has A prosperous welfare state with only not found that the technological changes will small social divisions mean that Denmark will have to move in a whole Denmark is one of the wealthiest countries in the new direction. We have a solid foundation to world with few social divisions between people. build on and a safe and secure society with That is worth preserving. Therefore, Denmark public services that benefits our citizens and must remain an open country that trades with the businesses. whole world and attracts qualified foreign labour, talent and investments from abroad under decent However, the Council seeks to hone in on certain working conditions. We must strive to maintain an areas and raise ambitions in light of the chal- open society with few divisions between people, lenges and new opportunities that the future strong social cohesion and equal opportunities for all will bring. in the future. By being ahead of technological developments, Free trade is a cornerstone for a small, open citizens and businesses will benefit even more economy such as Denmark’s. It has made Denmark from the possibilities of the future. This requires a wealthier place and given Danes greater freedom that we have an ambition to be global leaders in their choice of goods and services. In some in education, research, entrepreneurship and countries, there is a resistance to free trade among innovation. the population. Among other reasons, this may be attributed to the fact that the benefits on a Our businesses and the public sector are far ahead global scale have not been felt by everyone, and in terms of digitalisation. That is something we accordingly, this has resulted in society becoming can benefit from; we can lead the way globally for more divided in some countries. The benefits of responsible use of data and new technologies that globalisation are therefore not clear enough in contribute to growth and prosperity. those countries. Specifically, the Danish Disruption Council has The Council and Government have discussed the identified four themes where a special commit- importance of free trade for Denmark and how ment will be needed to achieve the goals of navi- we can help ensure that Denmark continues to gating successfully into the future with everyone prosper economically without compromising the on board: fact that all Danes must enjoy equal opportunities. • A prosperous welfare state with only small social divisions The Council and Government agree upon the • Future education in a digital world following objectives: • Competitive companies that are digital • A prosperous country: Denmark must be among frontrunners the most prosperous countries in the OECD. • A robust, safe and flexible labour market • An open country: Denmark must remain an open country that is among the leading Within these four themes, the Council has formu- participants in global trade and which does lated 15 objectives for the direction in which business with the whole world on fair terms. Denmark should progress. These are not neces- sarily new. However, they are crucial points to focus • Equal opportunities for all: Denmark must remain on in the coming years. a safe and secure country with few divisions between people, strong social cohesion and equal The members of the Danish Disruption Council opportunities for all. are in agreement that follow-up efforts should be enacted on the basis of the Council’s work. As a way of following up on the Danish Disruption Future education in a digital world Council’s work, the Government will produce an A good start in life is crucial to children’s opportuni- annual review concerning the objectives. A selec- ties in the education system, in the labour market tion of measurement points in the annual publica- and as citizens in the Danish society. A good educa- tion Report on Growth and Competi tive ness (Re de- tion which results in a professional qualification is gørelse om vækst og konkurrence evne) will form important to succeed in a world where needs are the basis for this review. rapidly evolving, not least due to the emergence of new technology. 8 THE GOVERNMENT’S AND DANISH DISRUPTION COUNCIL’S OBJECTIVES FOR THE FUTURE DENMARK – THE DISRUPTION COUNCIL RoboDays in Odense invites Danish children and young people must become be incorporated into the study programmes young people aged 13-16 on ever more proficient in reading, mathematics, and that the education system must be a Robot Camp. Here they can build, program, and test drive science, etc. At the same time, they must be suitably flexible. their own advanced robots.