The historical colonial relationship among Greenland, Denmark, and the United States continues to influence their current interactions.
In the heart of Paris, the Center for the Sociology of Organisations (CSO), Sciences Po/CNRS, and the Centre for European Studies and Comparative Politics (CEE), Sciences Po/CNRS, are set to host a thought-provoking event. Astrid Nonbo Andersen, a visiting professor at the institution and a Senior Researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies, will delve into the complex dynamics between Greenland and Denmark, focusing on the role of colonial memory politics.
Astrid Nonbo Andersen's research primarily revolves around historical justice, the politics of history and memory theory, and Scandinavia, including Greenland. Her presentation will shed light on the lingering effects of Danish colonial rule, which has left a significant impact on the relationship between the two countries.
The event, which will also feature welcoming remarks by Sarah Gensburger and an introduction by Stéphanie Balme, comes at a time when historical injustices and discrimination of Greenlanders have become central in political debate. This is due in part to the recent visit of Donald Trump, Jr., the son of the President-elect of the U.S., to Nuuk airport, the capital of Greenland.
Greenland, which has been self-governing within the Kingdom of Denmark since 2009, has a history of cultural assimilation policies and economic dependency stemming from Danish colonial rule. Many Greenlandic Inuit view this history with ambivalence and resentment, often criticising Danish authorities for decisions made without their full consultation.
One form of addressing these issues includes the concept of a Greenland Reconciliation Commission, which would aim to acknowledge historical injustices, promote healing, and redefine relations. Although specific details of its actions or reports are not found in the current search results, reconciliation bodies typically aim to address colonial memory politics by confronting difficult histories and fostering dialogue.
Another aspect that reflects ongoing colonial power imbalances is the IUD scandals, which, although not directly referenced in the sources, symbolise ongoing colonial health and rights injustices. These medical or social controversies underscore how colonial governance and Danish control extended into personal and social realms, affecting trust and relationships.
Regarding strategic visits like that of Donald Trump, Jr., such high-profile visits from external figures often tie into broader geopolitical interests in Greenland’s resources and sovereignty—reflecting colonial-era strategic concerns now complicated by international interest, especially from powers like the US and China.
In summary, colonial memory politics underlie much of Greenland-Denmark relations, manifesting in political tensions, socio-economic challenges, and ongoing debates over sovereignty. Approaches to address this include political autonomy, resource control debates, reconciliation initiatives, and critiques of contemporary geopolitical involvement—each contributing variously to reshaping the legacy and future of the relationship.
[1] Social Science Research Network (SSRN) [2] Journal of Contemporary European Research [3] The Conversation [4] The Guardian [5] The New York Times
The event at the Center for European Studies and Comparative Politics (CEE), Sciences Po/CNRS, focuses on politics, as it delves into the complex dynamics of Greenland and Denmark, specifically exploring colonial memory politics. The ongoing debate about historical injustices and discrimination faced by Greenlanders is a significant component in general-news discourses, evident in media outlets such as the Social Science Research Network (SSRN), Journal of Contemporary European Research, The Conversation, The Guardian, and The New York Times.
