There is no 'them' and 'us' - there is only 'us'
The Bevica Foundation is a trader fund.
The Foundation stands on the shoulders of Denmark's ratification of the Convention on Disability in 2009 and thus on the Convention's focus on universal design as a values-based approach to creating a more equal society for all.
Universal design represents a human view that recognizes that to be human is to live with changeable and diverse functional abilities throughout life. That it is a basic condition for all of us.
Universal design does not divide people into 'them' and 'us'; people with or without disabilities. Instead, the concept embraces diversity and creates solutions that best embrace who we actually are.
Therefore, we work purposefully and strategically to disseminate knowledge and knowledge about universal design.
The goal is a society based on universal design
It is the Bevica Foundation's stated strategic objective that universal design should be the cornerstone of social design by 2050. In pursuit of that goal, we work purposefully and strategically in two focused tracks:
- Creating attractive research and educational environments that promotes knowledge of universal design, so that future graduates have universal design as a basic premise in their professional understanding and as a foundation for their future work.
- That the Leave No One Behind agenda and the understanding of universal design are embedded as core values in decision makers and in society in general, and thus be included in the political agenda and translated into concrete partnerships. This work also requires a sustained conversation, which the foundation proactively pursues.
The strategy unfolds in three pillars: knowledge of universal design, partnerships and conversation.
Specifically, we work with knowledge about universal design through the Universal Design Hub, which, among other things, operates a multidisciplinary research network. In 2022, we also launched the Bevica Scholarship Programme with the aim of strengthening the focus on and knowledge of universal design at the country's educational institutions and among students, researchers and educators.
The knowledge that the Foundation collects and generates in this way not only forms an important basis for the Foundation's partnerships in both education and practice, it is also crucial in the conversations about blind spots, frameworks and norms that we bring into play in the social debate.
A chance meeting set it all in motion
A chance encounter with a crippled girl in the streets of Copenhagen in 1872 sparked the vision and thoughts that became the foundation that more than 150 years later goes by the name of the Bevica Foundation.
Shortly after a chance encounter with a crippled girl in Copenhagen, retired pastor Hans Knudsen set up a meeting with a group of influential figures from the Copenhagen bourgeoisie.
They met on 21 October 1872 at Skyldebanen on Vesterbro in Copenhagen. This was the start of the foundation, which today is known as the Bevica Foundation.
Meet the employees
The Bevica Foundation's employees are the backbone of the daily work of meeting the will of founder Pastor Hans Knudsen.
You will find the board members of the Bevica Foundation in the menu above.
Education
- MSc from Department of Marketing Economics & CBS Board Education
Office of Trust
Board member of the following:
- Bevica Innovation A/S
- Bevica Foundation Grants Committee
- Egmont High School
- Fondenes Knowledge Centre
Education
- Architect maa, Ph.D.
Office of Trust
- Coordinator of the Nordic Network for Architecture Research in Universal Design
- Member of the steering committee for the Move Green project, University of Copenhagen
- Member of the follow-up group for the project Socio-economic analyses of built environments according to universal design, VIVE
- Member of the Union of International Architects (UIA) Universal Design Working Group
Education
- Social worker and bookkeeper
Education
- Master of Scient.Adm., Ph.D.
Office of Trust
- Member of the Brain Injury Association's Expert Panel
- Board member of the Danish Network for Disability Research (NNDR — Nordic Network on Disability Research)
- Board member of For Equal Opportunities
Education
- Master of Scient.Bible and Master in Universal Design and Accessibility
Office of Trust
- Board member of the New Danish Literature Society
- Member of Standing Committee Library Services to People with Special Needs International Association of Libraries and Library Associations (LSN/IFLA)
Education:
MA in Journalism
Education
- B.A. in Communication and IT
Education
- Master of International Business Communication
Education:
Master of Arts in Modern Culture and Cultural Communication
Education
- Master of Arts in German and Language Psychology
Bevica Innovation
Bevica Innovation invests in research in orthopaedics, movement and accessibility. The company also works with business activities and business development related to research projects as well as investment in property and real estate operations — all within the Bevica Foundation's statutory framework.
Bevica Legates
The Bevica Foundation manages the two non-operating funds Bevica Fondens Legatfond I and Bevica Fondens Legat Fund II. The two grant funds have different purposes.
- Grant Fund I provide concrete financial support to Geelsgård School and Danish Handicap Federation work. This grant fund cannot be applied for.
- Endowment Fund II provides support to give people with disabilities the greatest possible autonomy and independence. This grant fund can be applied for.