Roskilde Festival Foundation supports Myanmar’s women’s groups

The foundation behind the Roskilde Festival has donated 500.000 kr. to the Danish NGO Folkekirkens Nødhjælp to help strengthen women’s status and democratic development in Myanmar.

Before the Roskilde Festival 2014 kicks off on the 29th of June the proceeds from last year’s event have to be divided out, as the foundation that organizes the event is a non-profit body.

In collaboration with Folkekirkens Nødhjælp, the fund is supposed to help strengthen democracy in the country which had been under military dictatorship for nearly 50 years.

Foto: Folkekirkens Nødhjælp
Foto: Folkekirkens Nødhjælp

Sense of ownership
The project in Myanmar revolves around 20 villages near the Inle river and has had its focus on strengthen the roles of women in the social and economic development of Myanmar. By gathering the women into action groups, the project has succeeded in making the women aware of the importance of their political power, human rights and freedom of speech.

Great partnership
The Roskilde Festival is much more than just a world-famous music festival. During the festival, the organizers also try to promote a sense of social responsibility among the audience. For example, humanitarian organizations have been given the opportunity to promote their causes.

Head of development at Folkekirkens Nødhjælp, Jonas Vejsager Nøddekær, said his organization greatly appreciated the donation made by the Roskilde Festival Foundation in support of projects in Myanmar.

“In Folkekirkens Nødhjælp, Roskilde Festival has a reliable partner,” he said.

“In recognition of many years of hard work in the field, it feels great to know they are making this big donation. We would also like to point out that through us, the donation will be used in support of worthy causes that will touch the lives of up to 100.000 people.

This is not the first donation that Roskilde Festival Foundation has made in support of the project. In 2012, the foundation donated 900.000 kr. to the same NGO and the Chairman of the foundation behind the festival, Steen Jørgensen, even visited the projects in Myanmar. Following his visit, he wrote about it in his Christmas greetings to all the volunteers at the festival and the festival bought 700 gift certificates for “Give a couple of rabbits”.

“We saw how the money from the breeding of rabbits went into the society’s common purse, so the village’s women could help each other start up small business’ and help each other out financially, when they were in need of funding for education or medical bills. We saw that something that seems insignificant actually kick-started democratization of the whole community.

It is hoped that more money will be forthcoming in support of worthy causes around the world as this year’s Roskilde Festival seems to offer a crowd-pleasing program that will ensure a ticket sellout. If you are planning a trip to Scandinavia in late June and early July, perhaps you should stop by the festival and enjoy some good tunes.

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