The User Panel
The User Panel, which was appointed by the Danish Immigration Service in December 1995, consists of users and representatives from the
organisations and authorities affected by the administration of the Danish Immigration Service.
One of the many objectives of the User Panel is to create a casual, informal discussion and information forum, where participants can take up problematic issues relating to the immigration field, inform each other of new developments, and draw attention to special issues or problems. In addition, the User Panel strives to secure the best possible contact between the Danish Immigration Service and its users.
Meetings in the User Panel
At User Panel meetings, the Danish Immigration Service informs those in attendance of current and planned initiatives within the immigration field - for example, amendments to the Danish Aliens Act or results of Danish Immigration Service fact-finding missions. In return the Danish Immigration Service receives valuable information from the panel on such things as activities within the immigration field initiated by the service's users and immigrant organisations. The Danish Immigration Service also listens to users' perspectives on the Danish Immigration Service's administration of its various areas of interest. The User Panel convenes 4-5 times annually.
Who is in the User Panel?
The foreperson of the panel is the director of the Danish Immigration Service, and the panel is also staffed by representatives of the Danish Immigration Service's various departments.
The panel represents a cross-section of interest groups, and consists of individuals who are actively involved with the services administration of the immigration sector. Individuals currently sitting on the User Panel include representatives of the following organisations among others:
The Danish Bar & Law Society
Amnesty International
The Danish Refugee Council
The Danish Red Cross
The Documentation & Advisory Centre on Race Discrimination
The Refugee Board
The Ministry of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs
INDSAM (The Association of Ethnic Minorities)
The Islamic Culture Centre
Local Government Denmark
The Society of Danish-Foreign Marriages
Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke (MS)
POEM (The Umbrella Organisation for Ethnic Minorities)
The Board for Ethnic Equality
The Council for Ethnic Minorities
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
You can write to the User Panel's member-organisations at the address us@us.dk, subject line 'User Panel'.