Tasks and responsibilities

In the vast majority of areas, authority has now been devolved to the home rule government of Greenland. Other areas, including foreign defence and national security policies, and law and currency and financial policies, remain the responsibility of the Danish Government and Parliament.

In this respect, the Greenland Committee plays a role in two areas:

• handling bills and motions in areas not handled by the home rule government but that apply solely to Greenland or which are of special significance to Greenland
• ongoing parliamentary scrutiny of the administration of Greenland policies and observance in Greenland of legislation, for which the Danish Commonwealth authorities are responsible

The Greenland Committee also monitors matters pertaining to Greenlandic affairs, including EU matters. For example, Greenland’s role in Danish security and defence policies, or issues regarding Greenland’s and Greenlandic products’ access to the EU market.

Parliamentary scrutiny of the Danish government’s administration of legislation that applies in Greenland is one of the Greenland Committee’s primary activities. Parliamentary scrutiny is exercised through the standing committee members’ tabling questions to the relevant ministers.

Greenlandic Centres, etc. in Denmark

Greenland and Greenlandic affairs are important topics for several organisations in Denmark. For example, many Greenlanders live in the major Danish cities (Copenhagen, Aarhus, Aalborg and Odense). There are Greenlandic centres in these and other Danish cities, where Greenlanders and others interested in Greenland can meet.
There are indeed many local Greenlandic social and cultural organisations in Denmark. They are organised under Fællesforeningen Inuit, a Greenlandic umbrella organisation.

Avalak, a students’ organisation, helps Greenlandic students in Denmark navigate in the Danish education system and acts as a bridge between the students and the Greenland home rule government.

Grønlandske Børn (Greenlandic Children) is a politically independent NGO that works to improve conditions for the childhood and future of Greenlandic children and adolescents with full respect of their rights.