Hanne Louise to represent Greenland in an international network

When 25-year-old Hanne Louise Panituaq Petersen applied to become one of Greenland’s three representatives in the international OCT Youth network, she had her reservations.

She was born in Nuuk but moved to Denmark with her family at the age of eight. It was only two years ago that she returned to Nuuk, and although she has always considered Greenland her home, finding her place has not been easy.

"From time to time, I feel that I should step back and make room for those who actually grew up here. I hold myself back a little. That was how I felt when I signed up for OCT as well. I really wanted to, but was I actually entitled to do so? Did I have the right to represent Greenland?"

Nevertheless, she submitted her application, and after an interview conducted in English, she was selected as one of three young people who will represent Greenland in the network.

Young people from 13 overseas countries and territories

The OCT Youth Network brings together 25 young people from 13 Overseas Countries and Territories, including Aruba, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, and Greenland.

What these territories have in common is that they are not independent states but have historical and political ties to European countries such as France, the Netherlands, and Denmark. While none of the territories are part of the European Union, they maintain a special partnership arrangement with the EU.

Over the course of a year, the participants will learn about the European Union through a range of activities, including mandatory webinars and a study visit to Brussels. They will also exchange experiences and gain insights into each other’s cultures.

For Hanne Louise, a first-semester law student at Ilisimatusarfik, the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Greenland’s relationship with the European Union, and to connect with young people from other territories with a colonial history, was a key motivation for applying.

"I want to better understand the partnership that Greenland has with the European Union and see it with my own eyes. And, of course, I also want to meet other young people who come from former colonies. I imagine we have a lot in common and share some of the same challenges", she says.

"With all the international attention currently focused on Greenland, things are happening, and it is important that we are at the forefront here in Greenland rather than just spectators. We are not the only ones facing pressure from larger political powers. The other participants in OCT Youth are experiencing that too. Perhaps they are doing things that we could learn from and apply here as well?"

Stepping out of her comfort zone

But participation in the network is also about something more personal.

"In Denmark, you’re the Greenlander; in Greenland, you’re the Dane", Hanne Louise explains.

"It’s not about putting myself in the role of a victim. Not being able to speak the language can be incredibly difficult and vulnerable. It can bring up some challenging emotions. I can be very hard on myself and forget just how much more I understand now than I did two years ago", she says.

That is why the international network is also about having the courage to step forward and seize the opportunities that arise.

"It’s about finding my own voice. I want to step outside my comfort zone and create a place for myself".

A packet of minced reindeer meat

One of the perspectives Hanne Louise is particularly eager to bring to the network is Greenlandic culture and climate change, and how a changing climate affects culture.

Even before the participants meet, they have been tasked with introducing themselves in a one-minute video. As part of the assignment, they were asked to bring an item that represents their country or culture.

Hanne Louise considered bringing her polar bear skull, her jewellery, or her traditional snow goggles. But in the end, she chose something entirely different: a packet of minced reindeer meat.

"But I actually ended up bringing some minced tuttu (reindeer meat), because we had just been hunting. I could feel a real sense of pride as I explained that my boyfriend had hunted the animal, prepared the meat, and that we now had food for the winter".

In this way, the lump of raw, red meat became a very tangible way of telling the other participants about the importance of hunting to Greenlandic culture and survival across generations.

A sense of recognition

Hanne Louise does not yet know how she will use the experiences she gains through the network in the longer term. Perhaps the opportunity to engage with the European Union will open new doors. For now, she is looking forward to meeting the other young participants, asking questions to EU representatives, and bringing home new perspectives.

She has also signed up to attend the Arctic Frontiers conference in Tromsø next February.

And whereas she once questioned whether she had the right to represent Greenland, she now feels differently.

"Now I feel like I’ve found my place. I had a deep longing to come home again. I think that’s also one of the reasons why I’m now stepping forward and taking my place. This is my home. It always has been, even if for many years it existed ‘only’ in my heart", she says.

"It feels like being recognised. It is a great honour to be given the opportunity to serve as one of the representatives of my country. I take that responsibility very seriously, and I am proud. Hopefully, I’ll make a few people here proud as well".

Background

The OCT Youth Network is a network for young people from the European Union’s 13 Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs), including Greenland, Aruba, French Polynesia, and New Caledonia.

The young participants have the opportunity to exchange experiences, develop their skills, and build international networks.

The network was established by the European Commission in 2022 and consists of 25 young people between the ages of 20 and 28. Participants are selected for one-year terms and take part in activities including a study visit to Brussels, online learning sessions, and meetings with EU policymakers.