Meet INVI's new interns: Where do they find hope in uncertain times?
It feels like new pages are being written for the history books every minute these days. Everything is being turned upside down - and it can feel precarious to be in the midst of such upheaval as we're seeing right now.
That's why we need hope, faith in the future and the ability to influence how it will develop.
INVI's new interns are slowly settling into a rhythm. The work computer is installed and every morning they sit down at a new desk in the office. But where do they find hope in a time when the pressure is pulling in the opposite direction? Read their answers just below the image.
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Where do you find hope?
"In a troubled world, characterized by great complexity and growing apathy, I find hope in community. I have always had a strong attachment to communities, as I have been involved in high school, volunteer work and associations. In the collective, I get the feeling that anything is possible and that together we can achieve more than we can individually. In this way, I believe that co-creation is essential to make progress and achieve goals - whether it's running an ultra-local student revue or solving today's wildest problems.
It gives me hope that there is still room to create and cultivate meaningful communities where people come together to find solutions. I always strive to work with people who challenge and inspire me in new ways. As an intern at INVI, I feel incredibly privileged and I do my very best to gain knowledge and experience from my good fellow humans to strengthen my future problem solving. Maybe you should do the same? "
What has led you to where you are now?
I am a Master's student in Political Science at the University of Copenhagen, where I focus on public policy and quantitative methods. I have previous experience from the Danish Agency for Digitization, where I worked on analyses of trust in the digital public sector. At INVI, I combine my interest in politics with project management, as I will contribute to the start-up of cooperation agreements with actors from the political landscape. In my spare time, I am active in the student magazine Med Andre Ord and the Political Science Revue. -
What gives you faith that we can tame the wild problems of our time?
"I chose to become an engineer because I was convinced that technology would save the world. Now I'm nearing the end of my education and have realized that technology alone is not the solution to the major problems we face today. For all the good that technology has brought, its rapid development has also caused and exacerbated many of the major problems we face today.
As an engineer, it's easy to lose sight of the bigger picture and focus on how to create the most efficient solution. This process has led to a number of negative consequences for society, such as global warming, screen addiction and the spread of misinformation.
To tackle wild problems, I will take a design approach and make sure to explore and understand the problem to a much greater extent. This is the hardest part of the design process, but also the one that defines the quality of the final solution. I strive to be less solution-oriented and more problem-curious."
Background information
I am currently studying a Master's degree in Design and Innovation at DTU. During my bachelor's degree, I had a special focus on the technical aspect of engineering. I took several courses in programming, electronics, data processing and machine learning. With a solid technical toolbox from my bachelor's degree, I focused more on how to use design to solve societal problems. I'm particularly interested in how design methods can be used to understand problems in a deep and structured way.
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How do you stay hopeful?
"When I was little, I made a pact with myself: I would make the world a better place. As an adult, you realize that it's not that easy, because society's problems are complex, incomprehensible and often unmanageable. When I experience this, the little girl comes and taps me on the shoulder. She reminds me of our pact. Then it's time to roll up my sleeves. I want to tackle the wild problems because I know that even plants can sprout through asphalt.
Communication is crucial in change processes, as it is precisely when we meet each other that we develop the strategies that can shape a better future. I believe that if we involve more people in this development, bigger and better changes will happen. I have chosen to hone my skills in communicating complexity, question the status quo and create the best conditions for conversations that bring people together. That's why I joined INVI - because I want to contribute to change towards a better society."
What has shaped your route to INVI?
I'm studying a master's degree in social science at Roskilde University. In addition, I have worked for 3.5 years at DR as team leader for the group of production assistants at P1 Morgen and Orientering, and as team leader for the student assistants at DR News' newsroom.
My breathing spaces in everyday life can be found in a sauna by the water, with a good book in my hands, yarn between my fingers or a big glass of wine with friends.
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What inspires you?
"The whole democratization idea of creating solutions to wild problems based on collective intelligence is very inspiring. That's why I'm also very keen to increase the accessibility of our tools for all links in an implementation chain. In fact, it's also what creates a desire and belief that we can succeed in taming wild problems. When I tell friends, acquaintances and family about the mindset, I can feel that there is a great desire to contribute knowledge and perspectives. That's why I believe it can be done!"
"One of the things I'm still learning to accept is that there will always be opposing views on the things we do. Some people think it's cool, while others don't believe in it. It's just a basic condition. I'm practicing using criticism constructively because it's an important part of successfully tackling wild problems."Background information
I am currently studying a Master's degree in Social Data Science at UCPH and have previously studied Political Science at Aarhus University. In many ways, I still see myself as a political scientist, but with an expanded methodological toolbox that now also includes data science tools.
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What gives you hope right now?
"We live in one of the wildest periods in recent history, where war, crises and pandemics have become part of our everyday vocabulary. The hopelessness can feel overwhelming, but fortunately, history shows that the greatest breakthroughs often occur in just such times. It gives me hope, even when the challenges seem insurmountable. Yet during the corona pandemic, the Permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister's Office, Barbara Bertelsen, said that hope is not a strategy. But I think INVI has proven the opposite. They have managed to turn hope into action with a concrete model to tackle wild problems. Change doesn't happen by itself - someone has to take the first step."
Background information
I studied law at AU and later communication at DMJX. My heart beats extra hard for democratic processes with a desire to ensure equal access to information and speaking space for everyone. I can help translate complex issues into understandable and engaging messages. My work is not just about communicating - it's about mobilizing. Through clear communication, we can create support from multiple stakeholders for new solutions to wild problems.
