Yesterday June 5th was Danish Constitution Day, a national celebration of democracy, freedom, and fundamental rights. For Denmark, democracy is not just a system of government; it is a way of life where decisions are shaped through dialogue, trust and inclusion. It took Denmark 52 years to evolve from its first constitution to a truly parliamentary democracy, and another 52 years to reach the current democratic system, which is built on pluralism and inclusion, including through proportional representation.

To commemorate the day, Christian Brix Møller, Ambassador of Denmark to Bangladesh, hosted a reception attended by 80 guests, including Danish nationals in Bangladesh, corporate stakeholders, development partners, and representatives of the Bangladesh-Denmark alumni network. The event provided an opportunity to reflect on the values of democracy and their relevance today. In his remarks, the Ambassador stated, “Democracy is both a method and a culture, and its success lies in balancing the two. Even today, we face challenges and we continuously discuss how to improve our practice of democracy.”

As part of the programme, Professor Ali Riaz, Chairman of the Bangladesh Constitutional Reform Commission, presented the Commission’s recommendations for a new and more democratic constitution for Bangladesh, and engaged in a lively discussion on how to achieve a well-functioning and stable democracy.

Denmark expresses its solidarity with Bangladesh as it continues to shape its own democratic future through conversation, cooperation, and a shared commitment to democratic values.