A generational change took place at the General Assembly of The Danish Vietnamese Association (DVA) on 13 March, where 72 year old Jørgen Prag was succeeded as chairman by 35 year old Jonas WS Andersen.
Jørgen Prag stepped down after almost 20 years of chairing DVA.
”It is quite a responsibility to take over – especially from such a well-liked chairman as Jørgen Prag, Jonas admits. But I really look forward to working closely together with the board and our volunteers.”
The DVA promotes friendship between the people of Denmark and Vietnam through charitable work and development projects as well as through the promotion of Vietnamese culture in Denmark.
”We all work on a voluntary basis. We are completely dependent on our active members’ voluntary efforts. Thus, one goal is to make our association more accessible and attractive to people who wants to make a difference and who shares our love for the Vietnamese people, Jonas continues. If anybody out there feels inspired, do not hesitate to contact us!”
Jonas WS Andersen has a degree in International Development. He used to work for one year in Vietnam from 2009-2010 and has for the last three years been the Editor-in-Chief of DVA’s magazine Vietnam Ajour.
New Chairman of the Shelter Collection
Presently, the DVA runs two charity collections, a childrens’ rights project in Ho Chi Minh City and produces four magazines a year in Danish with news from Vietnam.
At the General Assembly, DVAs charity The Shelter Collection also got a new chairman in the 30 year old Loan Tran, succeeding the collection’s founder, Ole Riis.
Loan Tran is of Vietnamese descent but grew up in Denmark. She is presently living and working in Danang, Vietnam.