Crossing Borders

On a dark chilly evening in January, the warmth of community spirit and shared story telling gathered us together for our first Food for Thought of 2024. Held on January 25th, this event was an intimate experience, where candles flickered on long communal tables, setting a space for an evening of sharing both captivating stories and a delicious meal. It was an event full of ideas, conversation, and lively dialogue.   Our guest, Lise Walbom, CEO of Food Nation, presented us with her life story that was deeply connected with her insights on the connection between our food systems and the future of our planet. Her core message that, “Food has a crucial role to play in a secure world,” resonated deeply in the room, echoing the collective realization of food’s pivotal role in the sustainability of the planet.  From Strawberries to Sustainability  Lise’s journey in the realm of sustainable food practices began while picking strawberries in the western part of Zealand in Denmark. These early experiences sowed the seeds for her future in organic farming and her pursuit of a degree in agronomy at the university.   Lise shared her admiration for Gro Harlem Brundtland, the first female Norwegian Prime Minister and a pioneer in sustainability. Brundtland’s work, especially that contained in the book “Our Common Future,” published during Lise’s first year of high school, served as a guiding light throughout her career.  Creating Partnerships for a Path Forward    Her path led her to occupying public roles, including working in the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, focusing on organic farming. Eventually, her journey culminated in her becoming the CEO of Food Nation in 2017. Lise described Food Nation as a “dating platform for people within the food industry who would like new contacts,” a testament to her innovative approach to fostering global connections. Her work, and the goal of Food Nation, is to share ideas across the public, private and academic sectors throughout the globe. She asserted that though is Denmark is a small country, it is pioneer nation in terms of innovation. This makes the country able to share its knowledge and learning with others by crossing borders. She argues that “Collaboration is the essence of Denmark’s DNA within food and agriculture”, giving the example of how it was one of the first countries to establish farmer cooperatives.  Lise described the endeavors of Food Nation as aligning closely with, and being inspired by, many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She highlighted local initiatives in the food sector and their power to make global impacts. She stressed the importance of engaging consumers in responsible consumption. Her global outreach has been marked by her presence at events like the recent COP 28 in Dubai and Climate Week NYC. These activities reflect Lise’s commitment to sharing knowledge and driving the change we want to see through collaboration.  Coming Together Around a Meal  The evening wasn’t just about words. It was also about action and experience. Following the enlightening discussion, we savored a delightful meal from Send Flere Krydderier (Send More Spices, in English). It is a social kitchen known for sharing the stories of the chefs through the meals they create. The food satiated our appetites and served as a delicious embodiment of Lise’s vision – diversity, sustainability, and deep connections in our global community.  As the candles dimmed and the evening matured, the participants from various backgrounds and worldviews went home with smiles on their faces and hopes in their hearts, with one participant, Italy, stating he was ”inspired to engaged in sustainable farming at a local level” and Julia, from Greece, reflecting that “There’s a different way of understanding the world if you grew up by the land”. Lise Walbom’s journey from a strawberry field to leading a national movement serves as a testament to Lise’s trajectory to fighting for a more sustainable future for all.  Written By: Andrew Gibbons

The past year has been a whirlwind of excitement and growth for Migrantour Copenhagen, marked by new opportunities and unforgettable adventures. One of the most significant highlights has been the establishment of a dynamic collaboration with DIS (Danish Institute for Study Abroad), a renowned non-profit study abroad foundation founded in Denmark in 1959. With locations in Copenhagen and Stockholm, DIS has been providing high-impact learning experiences for upper-division undergraduate students from distinguished North American colleges and universities.  Migrantour Copenhagen, known for its immersive city tours led by Danish migrants, seized the opportunity to collaborate with DIS and enhance the experience for international students arriving in Copenhagen and planning to stay for three months. The partnership has allowed Migrantour to extend its unique tours to DIS students, offering them a firsthand and authentic exploration of the city they will call home for the next three months.  The most recent tour conducted just last week, welcomed 34 international students from various corners of the globe. These eager learners embarked on a journey with Migrantour guides, delving into the heart of Copenhagen’s culture, history, and hidden gems. As the students discovered the city’s rich tapestry, they gained invaluable insights into the local way of life, facilitated by the diverse perspectives of Migrantour guides who have their own unique stories to share.  This collaboration with DIS has not only enriched the experiences of incoming students but has also provided Migrantour Copenhagen with a platform to reach a broader audience. The past year has been a testament to the organization’s commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding and creating meaningful connections between migrants and the global community. As Migrantour Copenhagen continues to evolve and embrace new opportunities, its role as a bridge between cultures in the vibrant city of Copenhagen only becomes more integral and impactful. We are excited for the new year, to see how Migrantour Copenhagen will evolve!

Is your class ready to engage on questions of racism and discrimination?  Then we are waiting for you in Nørrebro for a free 4-day training – full of activities, dialogues, and growth.   Interested? Fill out this form to let us know! Suna, of Perspekt Initiative (Hamburg, Germany) introduces the learning goals for Day 1 The group comes up with a common framework for how to work together and dealing with conflict Participants try to match concepts and definitions surrounding anti-racism and discrimination through debate and consensus Facilitators play the Dice Game, an interactive and fun activity that allows participants to deepen their understanding of institutional and structural discrimination through the migratory context Key Information:  Dates: 4 full days*, between February and April   Location: Union KBH (Crossing Borders Offices), Nørre allé 7, Copenhagen 2200  Participants:  15-30 students, ages 14-20, plus 1 to 2 accompanying teachers   Cost: Complimentary with refreshments – lunch and travel provided by school *Days can be consecutive, or split up over 2 weeks or 1 month    Background of the Training:  The Anti Racism and Civic Courage Training, part of our ACCT Project (acctforchange.eu), is designed to equip students with the knowledge and tools to combat racism and discrimination. It is a robust, four-day program, with the first three days comprised of non-formal education activities(exercises & games) and theoretical inputs and the last day as a practical hands-on visit with local NGO’s and activists that are engaged in this work. This training is meant to enhance the learners’ capabilities in anti-racism and fostering civic courage.  Learning Goals:  Understand the various forms of racism and discrimination.  Challenge stereotypes and biases.  Develop strategies for promoting civic courage.  Equip participants with tools to address racism and discrimination  Gain awareness on local mechanisms for reporting incidents of discrimination in Denmark.  Foster diverse and inclusive learning environments.    Why Participate?  Dialogue-based and hands-on activities   Unique opportunity for your students to engage in critical, real-world topics.  Enhance students’ social awareness and responsibility.  Foster a culture of empathy, respect, and inclusivity within your school community    More questions. Email Andrew Gibbons, Project Coordinator, at andrew.g@crossingborders.dk Meet the Facilitators: Andrew Gibbons Andrew is a facilitator whose work uses non-formal education techniques to encourage meaningful participation for all. His passions lie in youth empowerment, social justice, and the creation of multilingual spaces. Andrew has worked with learners of all ages on projects such as growing nutritious food in urban food deserts, training spoken language interpreters for democratic change, and youth engagement for active citizenship. Maryam Alaouie Maryam is a project coordinator specializing in digital media and communication, manages EU projects and focuses on communication strategies. Passionate about human rights, particularly in the Middle East, she actively engages in politics and social issues. Bikalpa Bibash Basaula Bikalpa is a Master student at Aalborg University specialising in Global Refugee Studies and has a background in Media Studies and International Development & Communication. He has Human Right advocacy experience with “Antenna Foundation Nepal” and “Citizens Campaign for Right To Information” and is passionate about supporting marginalised communities. Through practical work at København Kommune and his education at Aalborg University, he has honed skills in assisting migrants and refugees. Margeret Maged Margaret from Egypt has a dream of making the lives of disadvantaged people better through providing non-formal education, space for creativity, talent development, and dialogue. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and has worked as a project coordinator for a Christian channel called SAT-7 in environmental protection and raising awareness. She is also a board member of a charitable organization called “My Beautiful Country” in Alexandria, which serves underprivileged families displaced from Upper Egypt.

Saturday, the 2nd of December, from 10:00 to 17:00, Crossing Borders gathered 38 Ukrainian youths aged 16-30 from all over Denmark to explore how they could create a meaningful and sustainable community for Ukrainian youth in Denmark. Working in large group dialogue processes, they explored the question ‘What would be a meaningful and sustainable community for you?’ and collaborated on projects, ideas, and initiatives they could undertake together. During the process, they clarified the values, events, and communication channels they wanted the community to be based on. They created five clubs: Sports, Creative Community, Mental Wellbeing, Online Community, and Social Activities, and established a Social Media community for their future work. The youth were very enthusiastic and engaged during the process, and it was clear there was a real need for the event, as one participant shared, ‘This is the first time I have felt at home in Denmark.’ Thank you to our partners from Bevar Ukraine and to Tuborg Fondet and BUPL Solidaritets- og Kulturfond who sponsored the event. The Youth For Ukraine gathering was the first of three initiatives planned by Crossing Borders. The next project is an innovation camp at the Youth Island outside Copenhagen, aimed at developing new solutions to the most pressing issues facing Ukrainian youth in Denmark. The innovation camp is scheduled for March/April 2024. We are following up with a 1½-year capacity-building program focused on the democratic engagement of Ukrainian youth in Danish society. This is the first national initiative that has been taken for Ukrainian youth in Denmark.

On November 16th, Crossing Borders, hosted a special “Food For Thought” event that brought together 40 people from different backgrounds. The event was held in a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and it gave participants the opportunity to connect with each other and share their personal stories. It’s a chance to learn from and be inspired by each other’s experiences in a supportive environment, all while enjoying a delicious meal together. The special guest for the November 16th edition was Gavin Harrison, the founder of T.N.G. Projects.  Galvin Harrison, a visionary artist, is transforming young lives in Nørrebro, Copenhagen through a remarkable initiative called T.N.G Projects. T.N.G stands for The Next Generation, and it’s all about inspiring young people to make sculptures that tell their stories. He was born in prison and grew up in a harsh care system.But instead of letting that hold him back, he turned it into something powerful. He used his love for art to help himself and now wants to help others.  Galvin’s message is clear: art can change lives and bring people closer. With his project, he’s giving young people a chance to express themselves and feel proud of who they are.  Driven by a profound understanding of the challenges faced by young people in navigating their identities, Galvin envisioned a project that would not only empower them to embrace their uniqueness but also foster a sense of unity and belonging. T.N.G Projects was born out of this vision, with its sculptures serving as tangible expressions of togetherness and acceptance, transcending the boundaries of age and cultural divides. Galvin believes that art can bridge gaps and help people feel accepted and understood.  During this event, Galvin shared how art changed his life. He talked about making beautiful sculptures and how they bring people together. He showed amazing, sculptures made by youth and kids. Galvin understands the struggles faced by many young people who inherit a mix of cultures. These challenges can create conflicts within them, making it hard to feel like they belong. He believes that by creating a welcoming space where everyone’s story is celebrated, these conflicts can be healed. His dedication to helping young people find their identity despite the challenges they face is commendable. Galvin’s journey teaches us that no matter the obstacles, embracing art and unity can create a better future for everyone.  Galvin’s journey is proof that no matter where you start, you can create something beautiful and inspire others along the way. With art, he’s making a world where everyone’s story counts and where we all understand and support each other.  Both the Food for Thought event and Galvin Harrison’s visionary T.N.G project share a profound similarity: the celebration of diversity and the power of shared narratives. While one provides a platform for individuals to exchange life stories in a warm and welcoming environment, the other, through its sculptures and artistry, embraces the same spirit of inclusivity and learning. Both initiatives stand as beacons of empathy, encouraging understanding, and fostering connections that transcend barriers of age, background, and nationality. They remind us that in sharing our stories and celebrating our differences, we create spaces where empathy thrives, understanding flourishes, and unity prevails.  About the author: I’m Bikalpa Bibash Basaula, an intern at Crossing Borders, Denmark. I recently had the pleasure of attending the Food For Thought event, organized by Crossing Borders, and it was an incredible experience.

As an organization that was founded to facilitate dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians, it is devastating for us at Crossing Borders to watch the Holy Land being turned into a war zone. It is even worse to see ordinary citizens, children, sick people, and civilian infrastructures relentlessly bombed into rubble. It is indeed horrifying to see the world watching millions of people in Gaza having their most basic needs like water, food, and medicine cut off, while their homes, hospitals, and schools get bombed. As the UN, the President of the EU, Amnesty, and Human Rights Watch have stated, this is a clear violation of international law and humanitarian principles. At Crossing Borders, we condemn these atrocities in the strongest terms possible and call for immediate intervention by the international community before it’s too late. At the same time, we strongly condemn the killing of Israeli civilians on 7 October, which ignited the current cycle of violence. In this sad moment, we think of the several hundreds of Crossing Borders members and their families on both sides and wish for their safety. In this recurrent cycle of tragedy, any serious search for a sustainable resolution needs to start with looking into the roots of the tragedy. Any honest person with a minimum of knowledge and a sense of humanity knows that the only way to end the carnage and build peace is to put an end to the illegal occupation and relentless brutalization of the Palestinian people. In international law, the occupying power has the duty to protect the civilians under its control. It is naive to not expect that violence breeds more violence and the cycle goes on as long as its root cause remains, with the short-sighted backing from the powerful states of the international community. This blind support of the brutal subjugation of the local people has exposed the double standard and hypocrisy on the part of some of the world powers. In the long run, such short-term and short-sighted support of either side will boomerang sooner rather than later. Therefore, we call on those countries (the US and its allies) who have the power to help enforce the UN resolution for a two-state solution as the most viable way out of the violence. May peace reign in the Holy Land. Crossing Borders