Symposium: Do you want children?

Poster for the event
Photo: Anna Sofie Bach

Join an open symposium on reproductive thoughts, demographic changes, and the climate crisis. This symposium brings together different voices in a conversation about reproductive dilemmas in the 21st century and will primarily be conducted in Danish.

The reproductive landscape in Denmark is characterized by various interests and dilemmas. Declining fertility rates, in the name of the welfare state, have led to encouragements to have children, while the climate crisis has created doubts about whether it is responsible to bring more children into the world.

Symposium Program:

8:45-9:00 Coffee and croissants

9:00-9:15 Welcome by Michala Hvidt Breengaard and Anna Sofie Bach (in Danish)

9:15-9:30 Presentation: Between global population growth and ultra-low fertility by Mengni Chen, tenure-track assistant professor, Department of Sociology, University of Copenhagen (in English)

9:30-10:00 Insights from the ReproCitizen research project by Michala Hvidt Breengaard and Anna Sofie Bach (in Danish)

10:00-10:15 Break

10:15-11:30 Panel Discussion: Reproductive challenges and dilemmas (in Danish)

  • Søren Ziebe, Head of Department, Rigshospitalet's Fertility Clinic
  • Ayo Wahlberg, Professor of Anthropology, researcher in reproduction at the University of Copenhagen
  • Erik Nakkerud, Associate Professor, researcher in climate psychology at Oslo Nye Høyskole
  • Mette Munch Jørgensen, journalist, author of the book 'Er du ikke bange for at fortryde. Fortællinger om at vælge et liv uden børn' (Byens forlag, 2023)

11:30-11:45 Comments and farewell (in Danish)

The symposium is part of the conclusion of the ReproCitizen research project, funded by the Danish Independent Research Fund. Read more about the research project.

Register for the symposium here.