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HRH The Crown Princess of Denmark establishes The Mary Foundation

 

Issued Tuesday September 11, 2007

 

´The Mary Foundation – HRH Crown Princess Mary’s Foundation’

 

Everyone has the right to belong. With ‘The Mary Foundation – HRH Crown Princess Mary’s Foundation’, the Crown Princess seeks to encourage tolerance of diversity and help those who are socially isolated. Today the Crown Princess held the Foundation’s inaugural meeting with its co-founders and operating partner.

 

Following a period of lengthy preparation, HRH Crown Princess Mary presented the underlying ideals and organisational structure of ‘The Mary Foundation – HRH Crown Princess Mary’s Foundation’ – or also known as the Mary Foundation. The Crown Princess, the Board of Trustees, the newly appointed management, the operating partner and the eight co-founders held the inaugural meeting today at Amalienborg Palace. The objective of The Mary Foundation is ‘to improve the lives of children, adults and families who as the result of their environment, heredity, illness or other circumstances find themselves socially isolated or excluded. The Foundation aims to fulfil its objective by creating opportunities for these individuals and giving them a sense of affiliation and of belonging to a community. The Foundation furthermore undertakes to encourage tolerance of diversity and the revival of hope.’

 

‘The Mary Foundation will be an exciting and rewarding addition to my current work as Crown Princess. In some ways, it will provide the opportunity to effectively bring together the social issues that I am already involved in. I strongly believe that every individual has the right to belong to a community and to know that there are people who understand them and are concerned for their wellbeing. And this belief is the basis for The Mary Foundation,’ says Crown Princess Mary.

 

Eight co-founding Danish foundations and enterprises – Carlsberg A/S, LEGO Holding A/S, Nykredit, Det Obelske Familiefond, Oticon Fonden, Poul Due Jensen's Fond, Villum Kann Rasmussen Fonden and TrygFonden smba – have contributed capital to the Foundation. As operating partner, J.C. Hempel Foundation will cover the administrative costs and provide premises for the office’s of the Mary Foundation. This ensures that all funds from the Foundation can be allocated to achieving its’ objective.

 

‘I am so pleased and proud that we have managed to build a solid base for the work of the Foundation. A solid base is necessary if we are to achieve our objectives and secure the long-term impact of the foundation. It is inspiring to see so many dedicated people coming together to achieve a common goal. Particularly, as this is one of the principal ideals of The Mary Foundation – both through the way we work and through our projects,’ the Crown Princess says.

 

With support from its co-founders, the Foundation has secured a capital of DKK 73.6 million. The initial capital of 1.1 million kroner was donated by the people of Denmark and Greenland on the occasion of the wedding of Their Royal Highnesses The Crown Prince and The Crown Princess in May 2004 and presented as a gift.

 

The inaugural meeting marks the start of an establishment phase for The Mary Foundation. The Crown Princess expects to be able to publicly present the Foundation’s opening initiatives in the beginning of 2008.

 

Photos from the meeting can be required from photographer Steen Brogaard, e-mail: Steen@brogaard.com

 

P. Thornit

Chief of the Court of HRH The Crown Prince of Denmark

http://www.kronprinsparret.dk/5102774

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What great news! This is such a huge undertaking - representing the socially isolated. (This brings back memories of Princess Diana carrying a child infected with the AIDs virus during her visit to the USA.)

I am hoping this foundation is going to be an international cause but I do understand that it might be limited to Denmark, Greenland and the Faroese Islands. Time will tell when she presents the initiatives in 2008!

-Ayvee

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More information:

The Mary Foundation

(Mary Fonden)

‘The Mary Foundation – HRH Crown Princess Mary’s Foundation’

Press release:

‘HRH The Crown Princess of Denmark establishes The Mary Foundation’

Objective

The governing principle of The Mary Foundation is that everyone has the right to belong.

The object of the Foundation is described in its Charter as follows:

‘The object of the Foundation is to improve the lives of children, adults and families who as the result of their environment, heredity, illness or other circumstances find themselves socially isolated or excluded. The Foundation aims to fulfil its objective by creating opportunities for these individuals and giving them a sense of affiliation and of belonging to a community. The Foundation furthermore undertakes to encourage tolerance of diversity and the revival of hope.’

The Mary Foundation will focus primarily on people living in Denmark, supporting integrated initiatives that go beyond religious and cultural differences and other forms of affiliation based on the governing principle that everyone has the right to belong.

Background

The initial capital of DKK 1.1 million was collected in Denmark and Greenland and donated as a gift on the occasion of the wedding of the TRH The Crown Prince and The Crown Princess in May 2004.

In August 2006 Crown Princess Mary took the first steps toward the current Foundation by establishing ‘The Mary Foundation – HRH Crown Princess Mary’s Foundation’. Since then, the Crown Princess and the Trustees have concentrated on formulating the Foundation Charter and building up its financial resources. At its inaugural meeting in September 2007, The Mary Foundation had a capital base of DKK 73.6 million, the result of donations from eight co-founders:

  • Carlsberg A/S
  • LEGO Holding A/S
  • Nykredit
  • Det Oelske Familiefond
  • Oticon Fonden
  • Poul Due Jensen´s Fond
  • Villum Kann Raskussen Fonden
  • TrygFonden sma

Organisation

The Mary Foundation is managed by a Board of Trustees with Crown Princess Mary as Chairman. The Trustees are unremunerated.

The Mary Foundation is advised by an Executive Council that follows the work of the Foundation. The Council consists of up to 25 members made up of co-founders, operating partner and other cooperative partners or experts in the field.

One or more additional expert panels of specialists and other suitably qualified people will be formed to advise and guide the Board of Trustees regarding The Mary Foundation’s activities.

A secretariat staff consisting of Ms Birgitte Snabe, Director, and Ms Helle Østergaard, Project Manager, will handle the day-to-day management. The Mary Foundation has secured J.C. Hempel Foundation as operating partner. The operating partner will cover the running costs and provide premises for the office’s of the Mary Foundation. This ensures that all funds from the Foundation can be allocated to achieving its’ objective.

The members of the Board of Trustees are:

  • HRH Crown Princess Mary
  • Ms Juliane Meulengracht Bang, Director
  • Ms Ulla Brockenhuus-Schack, Managing Director
  • Mr Michael Halbye, Director
  • Ms Caroline Heering, Lay-in-waiting
  • Mr. Per Thornit, Chamberlain, Chief of the Court of HRH The Crown Prince of Denmark
  • Mr Henrik Wedell-Wedellsborg, Lawyer

The Executive Council and panel of experts are yet to be appointed.

Projects

Currently the Mary Foundation is in an establishment phase and is yet to become engaged in specific projects.

The Mary Foundation’s activities will primarily be based on collaborative efforts and support of individual projects. Only the returns on the Foundation’s capital of DKK 73.6 million will be applied for any purpose. This will ensure the Foundation’s long-term impact.

Applications

The Mary Foundation does not accept applications for grants. Although the Foundation develops its own intiatives to fulfil its objective, it usually does so in cooperation with organisations or other partners.

Contact information

Mary Fonden

Amaliegade 8 B

DK-1256 Copenhagen K

Telephone (45) 45 27 30 20

E-mail info@maryfonden.dk

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I think this is very interesting- a great step for Mary- however I don't see how this is the same as Diana with the AIDS child Ayvee :lol: _ I think Mary is addressing a different cause- social outcasts and belonging to a community..which is extremely interesting. I wonder if these are some of the issues she's dealt with in coming to Denmark? I have read a lot of Danish culture and how it is hard for outsiders to feel accepted (I also have a friend who lives there and dealt with this). I think it's very good because it's not something that it is usually addressed in foundations- I will be very interested to see what sort of work they undertake. I also can't help thinking she's bringing some of the Aussie culture with her- we have so many different communities in Australia and a lot of isolation between them , and a foundation like this would greatly help over here too..it is a fantastic idea for Australia as well.

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I dont think she is doing this from her own experiences - she was welcomed with open arms by the public and by Frederiks friends and family it seemed. I dont think it is more difficult to fit in in denmark or be accepted than it is in e.g. france, the Us or germany etc. There has been a lot in the press about the danes are a tribe that demands this and this and if you dont live up to it, then you are frozen out. I think this is to some extend a media created image that is not the entire truth. Danes are also warm and open people and most of them welcome other people. Personally, I have a lot of friends who have come to denmark as adults and they cannot relate to that image - although I am sure some danes are ignorant and not very open to "outsiders" coming in - those people exists in every country

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I also think this has a lot to do with her work with mental illness too. People with mental illness of all types and severities are social outcasts. Many live in fear of being found out and have no support.

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I think it is very cool that the foundation is simply "The Mary Foundation" and not HRH The Crown Princess blah blah blah foundation -- shows that she really wants to remove the social/class distinctions that can prevent her from really getting close to 'regular' people. Of course, she will always be HRH CP Mary however she doesn't feel the need to always be using the full title.

I see this as an umbrella organization to link together all her previous social engagements and interests - the aged, physically or mentally ill or handicapped, the immigrants in poorer areas, children from disadvantaged families or backgrounds, children who may suffer from various dieseases or obesity- really, anything that sets one apart from being a "regular, normal Dane".

It is amazing that they raised so much money already - good for them! I can't wait to hear what their first projects will be. I wonder why they are not taking applications for grants? It is all based on the trustees' views then?

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I think this is very interesting- a great step for Mary- however I don't see how this is the same as Diana with the AIDS child Ayvee :hatoff:

The objective of The Mary Foundation is ‘to improve the lives of children, adults and families who as the result of their environment, heredity, illness or other circumstances find themselves socially isolated or excluded.

This statement showing the objective of the Mary Foundation simply brought back memories of Diana, Princess of Wales carrying a child stricken with AIDS during a visit to the USA. Back then, there was a lot of stigma about touching and hugging AIDS victims and Diana, with one gesture changed all this. There was a lot in the US press about this one small yet generous gesture.

Isn't that what the objective says - individuals because of their illness find themselves socially isolated? Hence, I am reminded of that one simple act Diana did to reach out to a child and tell the world that it's okay to hug someone with AIDS.

Perhaps the implementation of The Mary Foundation is different than Diana but the simple act of reaching out to people because of the stigma attach to their illness is the same.

I totally support Princess Mary in this huge endeavor.

-Ayvee

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I think it is very cool that the foundation is simply "The Mary Foundation" and not HRH The Crown Princess blah blah blah foundation -- shows that she really wants to remove the social/class distinctions that can prevent her from really getting close to 'regular' people. Of course, she will always be HRH CP Mary however she doesn't feel the need to always be using the full title.

I see this as an umbrella organization to link together all her previous social engagements and interests - the aged, physically or mentally ill or handicapped, the immigrants in poorer areas, children from disadvantaged families or backgrounds, children who may suffer from various dieseases or obesity- really, anything that sets one apart from being a "regular, normal Dane".

I agreed with you Oxfordgrrl. :hatoff: What attracted me was just the plain "The Mary Foundation" without the tittle. Very cool indeed and very relevent and useful as a linking tool to all her patronages. It is good that she has her own foundation as CP Frederik has two on his own dealing with different aspect.

The Crown Prince Frederik Fund

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik’s Foundation

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I know what it is I want to say but I'm not sure how to put it on paper. However, here I go.

Firstly, Princess D never comes to my mind when I read about CPM.

IMHO I don't think such comparison should be made. Their ages at time of dating/engagement/marriages were very different; they came from very different backgrounds; the Princes they married are also different personalities. Where would we be without differences? :hatoff:

IMHO the Mary Foundation is very different to what Princess Dianna did with AIDS.

I live in Oz and have seen many people of different gender and age become isolated (through no fault of their own!) and given the brush-off from society. So, to me - if I can believe "The Charter" of the Mary Foundation - it is a great cause and I hope it can be extended globally.

Regards to all and thanks for keeping me up-to-date about the DRF. I don't by magazines!

Gerri

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The thought that has been in my mind is what I see as a reflection of Mary's spirituality in all this - her sense of community and the worth and dignity of all people. I have no idea of Mary's religiosity but I am convinced she is deeply spiritual. To gather in the alienated and isolated, to give comfort and solace to the "other" in society is an act of goodness.

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:hatoff: I do agree with you all, The Mary Foundation is such a wonderful idea. It seems that Mary has chosen the members of the Board of Trustees cleverly, who seem like solid, professional and hard working people. Between these professional people whom of course work voluntarily and these big organizations donating money, is a wonderful strong base. To think that the initial capital was DKK 1.1 million in 2004 and now the capital is DKK 73.6 million is amazing. It is such a lovely and humble idea. I too am looking forward to what the first project will be in 2008.
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The thought that has been in my mind is what I see as a reflection of Mary's spirituality in all this - her sense of community and the worth and dignity of all people. I have no idea of Mary's religiosity but I am convinced she is deeply spiritual. To gather in the alienated and isolated, to give comfort and solace to the "other" in society is an act of goodness.

Beautifully put. And totally sums up - for me - everything that Mary has been about since she took on her role, and exactly what she wanted to be able to do from the beginning.

I'd also like to add that if Mary's foundation and it's objectives remind one person of something or someone else - they are entitled to that view. We each have a personal view of everything that we see. If Ayvee sees a similarity to Diana, Princess of Wales' work in what Mary is doing now, she is entitled to express her thoughts, whether any of us agree, or not. :@:

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The Tasmania Mercury

September 13, 2007 12:00am

CROWN Princess Mary of Denmark has given her name to a new Danish foundation to improve the lives of disadvantaged children, adults and families.

The Danish royal family announced the Mary Foundation at Amalienborg Palace on Tuesday.

..................

..................

Full article

Deprived get Mary's aid

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I don't know if it has been noticed, but Mary made a speech for the Board of Trustees, the newly appointed management, the co-founders and operating partners at the inaugural meeting for the Foundation. Feel free to translate:-)

Alle har ret til at høre til

H.K.H. Kronprinsessens tale til medstifterne på Mary Fondens stiftende møde den 11. september 2007

I dag er en meget særlig dag. En dag, jeg har set frem til længe. Jeg er stolt over og glad for at kunne stå her og i så godt selskab stifte Mary Fonden. Det havde ikke været muligt uden Deres hjælp. Tusind, tusind tak.

Alle har ret til at høre til. At være accepteret og føle sig som en del af et fællesskab. Retten til at høre til er ikke noget, man taler om; de fleste tager det for givet. Men der er mange mennesker, som står udenfor. Børn, voksne eller familier, der er socialt isolerede. Tolerance og forståelse for forskellighed er ikke det, der præger disse menneskers liv.

Jeg har altid haft svært ved at se på et menneske, der er ude på kanten. I det hele taget personer, der står udenfor og kigger ind. Jeg tror, at det ligger naturligt i os alle at frygte ikke at høre til. Vi har alle behov for, at der er nogle, som holder af og forstår os. At føle, at vi er accepterede.

Jeg er også meget bevidst om, at andre menneskers åbenhed og tolerance spiller en afgørende rolle, når nogle er anderledes eller udenfor. Tænk sig, hvis man kunne udvirke, at andre blev mere tolerante over for forskellighed og opmærksomme på, at ikke alle automatisk er en del af fællesskabet.

Jeg føler meget stærkt for, at alle har ret til at høre til. Det er grundlaget for Mary Fonden. Og grunden til, at vi er samlet her i dag.

At det er lykkedes at skabe et godt fundament for fondens arbejde, er noget jeg er virkelig glad for. Det havde ikke været muligt uden bestyrelsens indsats og den flotte hjælp, fonden har fået fra så stærke partnere, der er repræsenteret her i dag. Deres støtte er en stor tillidserklæring.

Tanken om, at jeg som Kronprinsesse kunne blive katalysator og være med til at skabe forbedringer i andre menneskers liv, blev styrket tilbage i 2004. Her havde danskere og grønlændere samlet ind og gav ved brylluppet en gave på over 1 million kroner. Sammen med pengene blev jeg præsenteret for ideen om at stifte en fond. Dermed var tanken plantet.

Jeg har engageret mig i forskelligt socialt arbejde som protektor for velgørende organisationer. I den egenskab har jeg mødt mange børn og voksne, der stod alene. De var udelukkede fra fællesskabet på grund af sygdom eller sociale problemer. Ofte fik jeg indtryk af, at social isolation spillede en særlig rolle, og både kunne være resultatet af og årsagen til et problem. Det var tit den diskussion om årsag og konsekvens, jeg havde med mine nærmeste efter oplevelserne ude i landet.

Lad mig som eksempel nævne pigen i sjette klasse, der trøstespiser på grund af mobning og ender med at blive syg af overvægt. Eller drengen, der hele sin barndom udsættes for svigt og overgreb, for som 12-årig at blive tvangsfjernet fra hjemmet. Eller barnet til den psykisk syge, som ikke har nogen at dele sine bekymringer med, fordi omverdenen er uvidende om psykisk sygdom.

Det blev klart, at dét at være isoleret kan gøre én syg, ligesom mange fysiske og psykiske sygdomme omvendt kan føre til social isolation. Man kan sige, at sygdom og social isolation bliver en ond cirkel, der er svær at bryde.

En af ideerne med Mary Fonden er, at vi kan sætte partnere sammen. Det er nok en af de ting, fonden kan gøre anderledes end andre, og hvor jeg måske kan spille en rolle som katalysator. Det er ikke meningen, at vi skal overtage arbejde, andre gør. Danmark er et dejligt og meget privilegeret land, hvor der i forvejen gøres meget for udsatte grupper, både i offentligt regi og af mange organisationer. Men der er altid plads til at hjælpe andre.

Vi vil gerne være nytænkende, når det gælder samarbejde mellem forskellige instanser. Og vi vil gerne hjælpe, så andre kan hjælpe endnu flere.

I samarbejde med bestyrelsen har jeg valgt at opbygge fonden med medstiftere, præsidium, partnere og ekspertpaneler. Vi er så privilegerede også at have en driftspartner, der dækker fondens driftsomkostninger. Den organisering skal sikre, at Mary Fonden er rustet så godt som muligt til at løfte de store opgaver, der ligger i fondens formål.

Mary Fonden bliver en del af min dagligdag ‑ et spændende arbejde udover mit virke som kronprinsesse. Derfor er det også så afgørende, at fonden er en hjertesag, ikke en mærkesag. Det handler om mennesker, om at gøre en forskel for andre mennesker.

Og der har jeg med Deres hjælp fået en platform. Jeg tror, at det er historisk i dansk fondshistorie, i hvert fald historisk for Kongehusets fonde, at det er lykkedes at gå sammen så mange og samle så flot en grundkapital. I alt har Mary Fonden en grundkapital på over 73 millioner kroner.

Jeg kan endnu ikke sige noget om, hvilke projekter, Mary Fonden vil engagere sig i. Vi går nu ind i en etableringsfase; hvor vi blandt andet skal analysere, hvordan vi bedst griber opgaven an. Der er mange skridt foran os, som jeg glæder mig til. Og jeg har ro i maven ved tanken om, at jeg begiver mig ud i dette arbejde med så mange gode mennesker ved min side.

De har vist mig en stor tillid. De har været med til at give mig en unik mulighed for at følge mit hjerte. Det tror og håber jeg, at der er mange mennesker, som med tiden vil sætte pris på, fordi de rent faktisk kan mærke, at Mary Fonden har hjulpet dem. De har fået bedre mulighed til at skabe et godt liv, så de også føler, at de hører til.

http://www.kronprinsparret.dk/50b0029

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kay, I doubt there is one. It seems to have been an exclusive internal palace/court event. So far the only pics are two by Steen Brogaard. Usually when he does the official pics at Amalienborg, the media is fairly limited -- just one or two journalists and Brogaard.

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  • 1 month later...

http://www.crownprincecouple.dk/b0000c

Seminar i Mary Fonden

Onsdag d. 7. november 2007

H.K.H. Kronprinsessen samt Mary Fondens medarbejdere deltog i seminar om udsatte børn og unge i Grønland.

Seminar in the Mary Foundation

Wednesday 7 November 2007

HRH The Crown Princess plus Mary Foundation staff members participated in a seminar about vulnerable children and youth in Greenland.

links:

http://www.crownprincecouple.dk/5102774

http://www.crownprincecouple.dk/d3000c

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