Danish Gymnastics and Sports Associations

Democracy is not just a matter of a certain form of government. The most important foundation for a healthy democratic system is created in people’s involvement and commitment to the local community, where by working together with others in an atmosphere of respect and tolerance they can help maintain a foundation for democracy.
In Denmark it is said that whenever three people get together to share a common interest, they immediately form an association! This might not be perfectly true, but it is incontestable that the forming of associations has been one of the most fundamental characteristics of the Danish people, historically as well as today. The right to form associations is even embodied in the Danish constitution which dates back to 1849.

As one of Denmark’s three national sports associations Danish Gymnastics and Sports Associations (DGI) is an important cultural factor. DGI numbers around 5,000 local associations or clubs - from the tiniest one-sport club of say a dozen members to the huge clubs of the big cities. Each local association is a member of one of 16 regional associations which together form DGI nation-wide.

In each case the association has a well-developed set of norms, rules and regulations which govern the association. According to the general principles of internal democracy a board is elected and can be voted out of office; internal debate is frequently very lively and can subject anybody - even the association’s leading members - to heavy criticisms and censure; and, furthermore, membership dues and duties are decided on by the members.