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Aalborg (or Ålborg) pronunciation (english): “AWL-BORG” is Denmark's fourth-largest city, located in North Jutland, with a population of 122,360 as of 2024. Including the surrounding urban area, this number grows to 144,981, and when counting the entire Aalborg Municipality, it reaches 223,174, making it Denmark's third most populous municipality, behind only Copenhagen and Aarhus. Expanding even further, the metropolitan area, which covers all of North Jutland, houses 594,323 people, according to Eurostat and OECD figures. Geographically, Aalborg lies at a strategic point on the Limfjord, 64 km southwest of Frederikshavn and 118 km north of Aarhus. Copenhagen, Denmark's capital, is 412 km away by road. The city’s history dates back to around AD 700, and its position on the fjord turned it into a key medieval harbor. Over time, Aalborg evolved into a significant industrial hub, known for its production of grain, cement, and liquor. Architecturally, Aalborg is home to striking half-timbered mansions that showcase the wealth of its historical merchants. Some of the city’s landmarks include the Budolfi Church, which became a cathedral in the late 14th century, Aalborghus Castle, a royal residence built in 1550 and Kunsten, a living museum of modern art that exhibits both Danish and international modern art. Today, Aalborg is transforming from a traditional working-class industrial center to a modern, knowledge-based community making it the 3rd best place to study in Denmark which was chosen by Studentum, a search service for students that provides help when choosing an education in Denmark and overseas. The city is home to major companies like Siemens Wind Power, Aalborg Industries, and Aalborg Portland, which are leading producers of wind turbine rotors, marine boilers, and cement, respectively. Culturally, Aalborg is a vibrant hub, with theaters, a symphony orchestra, a concert hall called House of Music and Aalborg Carnival, held annually in May, which is one of the largest festivals in Scandinavia, drawing over 100,000 visitors. The city is also known for its strong educational and research institutions. Aalborg University (AAU), founded in 1974, serves more than 20,000 students and is the largest academic institution in North Jutland. Additionally, the University College of Northern Denmark (UCN) offers a range of programs, and the Royal School of Library and Information Science (RSLIS) provides specialized education in library sciences. Aalborg's infrastructure supports its growing significance. The Aalborg Railway Station, established in 1869, connects the city to other parts of Denmark, and the nearby Aalborg Airport, located just 6 km from the city center, links it to international destinations. The E45 European route runs through Aalborg, connecting it to major cities from Norway to Italy. Sports are also a key part of Aalborg's identity. Aalborg BK, the city's football club, has won the Danish Superliga four times. The city also boasts an ice hockey team, the Aalborg Pirates, and a top-tier handball team, Aalborg Håndbold, as well as rugby and cricket clubs. Despite its industrial past, Aalborg is frequently recognized for its quality of life. In fact, a European Commission survey found that the residents of Aalborg are the most satisfied people in Europe with their city, reflecting its successful transformation into a modern, culturally rich, and forward-thinking urban center.
Aalborg – City of Peace is more than an organization; it is a shared vision for local and global harmony, where every individual can contribute to creating a world centered on peace, social justice, and sustainability. Located in the heart of Denmark’s North Jutland, Aalborg’s mission is to foster global peace through peaceful means, equitable resource distribution, and a sustainable future—both within and beyond Denmark's borders. Our ambition is to make peacebuilding a collective city-wide endeavor, marked by active engagement and collaboration across all sectors of society. We believe that no mission is more inspiring than working toward global peace. Anchored in the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), our work focuses especially on SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. Aalborg’s City of Peace mission is to serve as a driving force for positive change, locally and globally. We aim to inspire and engage the entire community, including citizens, students, businesses, and public institutions, in contributing to the global movement for peace and social justice. With a proud history of international cooperation and sustainability, Aalborg builds upon its legacy, exemplified by the Aalborg Charter and the Aalborg Commitments, to lead a new era of peace work. Our vision is to position Aalborg as a leading platform for peace efforts, recognized globally as a hub for those wishing to explore and engage in peace work. We are working to establish partnerships with local governments, international networks such as the UN Global Compact, and cities committed to peace. By expanding our city's tradition of international collaboration to include peace initiatives, we aim to solidify Aalborg’s role as a proactive global player in peacebuilding. Our work is firmly rooted in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly SDG 16. Through peaceful means, we strive to build strong institutions that uphold justice, human rights, and equity. We collaborate closely with NGOs, public and cultural institutions, political systems, and businesses, all of whom share our commitment to global peace. Aalborg has a rich peace heritage. As a pioneer in international cooperation, the city has long been engaged in twinning with other cities, promoting cultural exchange and shared goals. Aalborg has also contributed to the global sustainability agenda through its groundbreaking work on the Aalborg Charter and the Aalborg Commitments, documents that have shaped international environmental policy. Building on this tradition, we are expanding the concept of sister cities to include Peace City partnerships, further embedding Aalborg in the global peace movement. We place a special focus on empowering children and youth, recognizing their pivotal role in shaping a peaceful future. By integrating peace messages into all aspects of society, from schools to businesses, we aim to cultivate a culture of peace that will endure for generations. Aalborg – City of Peace is dedicated to fostering peace and sustainability through collaboration, innovation, and education. We invite all those committed to global peace—be they citizens, activists, researchers, or international partners—to join us in our efforts. Together, we can inspire and drive positive change both locally and globally, building a peaceful future that starts with us. Welcome to Aalborg – City of Peace, where we believe a peaceful world begins with our shared commitment to making it a reality.
1. Promote Peace Activism Objective: Mobilize individuals and communities to actively participate in peace efforts and social justice. Actions: Organize events, campaigns, and educational initiatives that encourage local and global peace activism, leveraging the engagement of citizens, schools, and institutions. 2. Foster Peace Research and Education Objective: Collaborate with academic institutions to integrate peace studies and foster a culture of peace, particularly among young people. Actions: Work with universities and schools to promote research in peace studies and offer educational programs on conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and global justice, focusing on SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). 3. Encourage Peace Innovation Objective: Develop innovative approaches to address both local and global challenges in peacebuilding and sustainability. Actions: Support new technologies, entrepreneurial initiatives, and creative solutions aimed at sustainable peace, engaging local businesses, startups, and public institutions in this effort. 4. Establish the House of Peace Objective: Create a physical and symbolic space dedicated to peace efforts. Actions: Build a center where people from various backgrounds can collaborate on peace initiatives, serving as a venue for local and international peace projects, dialogue, and cultural exchange. 5. Expand Global Peace Collaborations Objective: Build partnerships with local and international entities committed to peace, such as the UN Global Compact and sister cities. Actions: Establish Peace City partnerships, engage in international networks, and promote Aalborg as a global hub for peace work, fostering connections between local efforts and broader global peace movements. 6. Engage Children and Youth Objective: Empower the younger generation to play an active role in creating a peaceful future. Actions: Integrate peace education into schools, including innovative projects like the "Peace Container" exhibit, which teaches conflict resolution in an interactive manner for children. 7. Uphold the 2030 Agenda and SDG 16 Objective: Align Aalborg’s peace work with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with particular emphasis on SDG 16. Actions: Collaborate with NGOs, public institutions, and businesses to strengthen justice, human rights, and sustainable institutions through peaceful means. 8. Leverage Aalborg's Historical Contributions Objective: Build upon Aalborg’s legacy in sustainability and international cooperation. Actions: Use the city’s history, such as the Aalborg Charter and Aalborg Commitments, to lead peacebuilding initiatives, aiming to set an example for cities worldwide.
The Peace Container - this is a project that we are very proud of. The peace container expresses conflicts and conflict management for children and youngsters. The purpose of the peace container is to normalize conflicts and raise awareness hat conflicts will always occur. However, it is our reactions to conflicts that determine whether they escalate or resolve. It can help the child understand he reasons behind why conflicts escalate and how they can react when that happens. The container has visited several places in Aalborg and been to schools and events for exhibition
Kjeld holds a Master of Arts in Social Sciences from Aalborg University, specializing in peace and conflict research, as well as a Master's in mediation and conflict resolution from the University of Copenhagen. He has undergone several leadership training programs and has experience as an HR manager within research and education at both the European and Scandinavian levels. Kjeld is active in several organizations focused on peace work, as well as broader international development cooperation, such as in Uganda and Kenya. He is focused on how to generate the necessary political and public support for Aalborg, City of Peace, including through educational and cultural activities and collaboration projects. Kjeld hopes to soon establish a "House of Peace" in Aalborg and that the city and region will take a more active role in peace efforts. He is open to local, national, and international cooperation and sees great potential in building on the experiences of other Peace Cities. Kjeld believes that Fredsby Aalborg can help inspire much more collaboration between different organizations and associations worldwide, as well as shed light on important international peace perspectives.
Niels Erik Thomsen: net@stofanet.dk. Architect. Chairman of Aalborg, City of Peace
Aalborg City of Peace engages in impactful collaborations to advance global peace, sustainability, and human rights. Partnering with the United Nations Association of Denmark, Aalborg works to bring the UN's vision of a peaceful world into local communities through joint projects, inspiring global thinking with local action. Another key partner is "Seniorer Uden Grænser" (Seniors Without Borders), which emphasizes the value of experience-sharing and active involvement of seniors in peacebuilding efforts. Their contributions foster sustainable change both locally in Aalborg and internationally. Aalborg City of Peace also collaborates with "Fredsaktivisterne" (Peace Activists), a dynamic group organizing events like the UN International Day of Peace, as well as school programs, peace runs, concerts, and exhibitions. Additionally, Aalborg, City of Peace, has a city-to-city partnership with the Nakivale Refugee Settlement, located in southwestern Uganda , where contact and visits have explored how mutual learning between the two communities can benefit both, especially in peace and development initiatives.
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