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Greenland Knowledge creates understanding, insight and criteriaGreenland is a rapidly changing society. Just a few decades ago it was a simple hunting and fishing community; now, it is a modern consumer society. Its development is to some extent shaped by present-day trends within, for example, public health, environment, trade and industry, the labour market, education, social services and infrastructure. The public debate sometimes bears signs of sharply opposed interests, and it can be difficult for outsiders to follow it. It is our intention with this publication, "Greenland - a modern society", to provide an introduction to the main problems facing Greenland today and thus give readers greater insight into the political debate. Denmark and Greenland have long enjoyed good and constructive cooperation on a range of environmental projects. Since 1994, Denmark has focused particularly on Greenland as an element of its environmental assistance to the Arctic, and this has led to close environmental cooperation with the Home Rule Government of Greenland. The aim of the Environmental Assistance to the Arctic is to protect, monitor and rehabilitate the Arctic environment. Through the supported projects, knowledge is being acquired that provides an important basis for the debate on sustainable development in Greenland. Through its environmental assistance to the Arctic, Denmark is also involved in projects in Greenland with broader objectives than traditional environmental projects. These projects, their background and their importance to Greenland form the backbone of this publication, which offers 15 topical stories within the areas housing, energy and public health. Both the Home Rule Government and the Danish Government hope that the publication will help to disseminate further knowledge about the discussions on sustainable development in Greenland - and will thus also lead to greater understanding of modern Greenland and the challenges facing it in the years ahead. Minister for Environment Home Rule Minister for Health and Environment |