Crossing Borders

In today’s world, fast fashion has become the norm, with significant social and environmental implications. The rapid production and disposal of clothing contribute to pollution, waste, and poor working conditions in the fashion industry. The BRAND Project recognizes the urgency of addressing these issues and believes that informed and motivated young people can be catalysts for change.  Our initiative centers around educating and engaging young people. We aim to equip them with the knowledge and tools needed to make conscious fashion choices that prioritize sustainability and ethical practices. By raising awareness about the true cost of fast fashion, we inspire the youth to take action in their own lives and become advocates for a better fashion industry.  We are thrilled to unveil the Brand Eco-Fashion Toolkit, a powerful resource designed to empower young people to make eco-friendly fashion choices and contribute to a more sustainable fashion future.  Our toolkit is thoughtfully divided into two sections, each offering valuable insights and practical guidance:  Be Aware: a collection of useful information on the current fashion industry and sustainable alternatives.  Be Prepared: a compilation of activities young people can do to make sustainable fashion choices.  We invite you to check it out and dive into the wealth of information and activities waiting for you!  Click to Download

Food for Thought is a special event where we mix storytelling with dinner. It’s like bringing two different things together to make people feel close. The event held on September 14th featured a very special guest – Morten Meldal, a Danish chemist and Nobel laureate. His achievements and captivating storytelling made this event truly extraordinary.  Meldal is famous for his groundbreaking work in chemistry, particularly for developing the CuAAC-click reaction, a significant contribution to the world of organic synthesis. What’s even more amazing is that he achieved this milestone independently, showcasing true innovation.  As a new member of the Crossing Borders team, I eagerly took part in ensuring the event’s success, alongside my dedicated colleagues. Together, we worked diligently to make sure that everything was just right for the approximately 70 guests in attendance.  At the beginning of the event, we all had to stand up and say our names and where we came from. It was amazing to hear where everyone was from. There were so many different backgrounds, languages, and stories in the room. It made me feel really happy and connected to everyone. Even though I didn’t know many people there, it felt like I was part of a big family story before dinner.   The evening itself was a mix of intellectual enrichment and a warm atmosphere. Meldal shared his life story, including the challenges he faced on his path to winning a Nobel Prize. What truly stood out was his ability to inject humour into a serious topic, keeping the audience both informed and entertained.  One question from the audience struck a chord with me: “How did you keep going, even when it took so long to achieve something as significant as a Nobel Prize?” Meldal’s answer was simple but profoundly inspiring: “Just do it!” These words serve as a reminder that determination and persistence are the keys to achieving greatness.  After the talk, we all sat down to have dinner together. There’s always something special about sharing a meal with new people. It was a great way to end an evening full of interesting stories and ideas. I couldn’t help but reflect on the unique and inspiring experience I had just been a part of.   So, here’s to new adventures, learning from great people like Meldal, and remembering the motto: “Just do it!” Copenhagen is already beginning to feel like a second home, and I eagerly look forward to more adventures and opportunities in the days ahead.  Authored by Luka TsibadzeA little about me – I’m Luka from Georgia. I’m doing a year of volunteering through the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) in Crossing Borders and that’s part of my story. I am and have always had a passion for exploring new places. Landing in Copenhagen was the start of an adventure I won’t forget. Little did I know that one of the first days of the journey would lead me to an exceptional evening hosted by Crossing Borders.

It was an honour for Crossing Borders to partner with the Danish Afghan women’s right organisation DAKDIF to organise a conference on the Taliban rule in Afghanistan. Entitled Two Years After the Take Over- Challenges and ways forward, the conference was held on July 30th, 2023, in Copenhagen. With some 60 participants from the Afghan Diaspora community, the event was led by two powerful women Tahmina Salik and Elaha Salik from the Danish-Afghan Diaspora Forum in Denmark. There were also Afghan speakers and participants from Austria, Switzerland, and other European countries plus two MPs from Denmark and the UN rapporteur Richard Bennet. Crossing Borders was represented by the Director Garba Diallo and Project Coordinator Giselle Masiera. In her keynote remarks on the unbearable challenges Afghan women face every day for the past two years, the Afghan human right activist Elaha Salik, put it eloquently: “Imagine living in a world where your every move is strictly controlled, and where your very existence is deemed a threat. This is the reality faced by countless Afghan women today. Just being who they are, they risk arrest, torture, and even execution. Their basic rights, such as freedom of movement, education, and the pursuit of happiness, have been snatched away”. Elaha Salik concluded her impactful speech by reminding the audience about the plight of Afghan women in the hands of the Taliban: “If we were in Afghanistan right now, we would have broken several laws today, just by being ourselves. I would have broken the following ones: Traveling without a male guardian Showing my face and figure in publicPassing through a park on my morning runGetting a haircut in a beauty salonListening to music And I even hugged a male friend – which would have been enough for us both to be stoned”. During the discussion and debate the issue which dominated the conference was to engage or not to engage with the Taliban. Some delegates argued that as long as the Taliban are the de facto rulers of the country, they need to be included in the dialogue toward a sustainable solution to the tragedy. However, other delegates counter argued that as long the Taliban continued their brutal war on women, they must be excluded. Hence, the sticking issue was not about the goal of liberating the country, but the approach visa-vis the Taliban. Fortunately, despite the different views, the conference participants agreed on the following recommendations: Engagement with the Taliban does not entail accepting their rule, instead, mechanisms must be put in place that rather discuss the rights of Afghan citizens Declaration of Afghanistan as a Neutral State: To ensure regional and global security, all relevant political stakeholders in Afghanistan should come together under the auspices of the United Nations to reach a consensus on declaring Afghanistan a neutral state. This status should be tied to the establishment of a political system that upholds democratic values, equal rights, food security, and economic stability. Concerted efforts should be made to counter extremist ideologies and discourage recruitment for future conflicts. Education and awareness programs should be promoted to undermine the influence of radical ideologies. Prioritizing Global Human Security: Afghanistan’s national interest is intrinsically tied to global human security, encompassing access to education, healthcare, equal rights, and food security. Efforts should be made to alleviate poverty and improve living conditions to prevent the perpetuation of radicalization and exploitation of vulnerable groups, especially women and children. Parallel Processes for Durable Peace: A lasting peace in Afghanistan requires simultaneous processes at both national and international levels. Nationally, there should be a consensus on the country’s political future, emphasizing inclusive governance and participation. Internationally, key stakeholders must collaborate to ensure regional stability and global security. Accountability in Aid Donations: Aid donors should create policies that prioritize accountability and transparency. Ground realities should be thoroughly understood and considered to lay the foundation for a healthy society where the rights of all individuals, including girls, women, minorities, and vulnerable groups, are protected, and promoted.

On the 18th of July 2023, six members from Crossing Borders – Furkan from Turkey, Giselle from Brazil, Anna from France, Karolina from the Czech Republic, Kateryna from Ukraine, and Tanya from India volunteered with the South African Embassy to help the Missionaries of Charity in Copenhagen for Mandela Day. On this symbolic date, the birthday of Nelson Mandela, kindness and generosity were requirements. The volunteers cooked different dishes and helped serve the food to 50 homeless people who came for a little comfort. Everybody also had the chance to taste the wonderful birthday cake to celebrate this day in honor of Nelson Mandela. Here are some words from our volunteers: Anna: I really enjoyed being a volunteer for Mandela Day, helping people in need by cooking and serving food for them. It reminded me of the importance of being good, generous, and showing solidarity towards people who need it the most. It was also very nice to peel vegetables, make salad, and prepare all kinds of dishes with CB members; it felt like a family! Tanya: Volunteering at the Missionaries of Charity for Mandela Day was a truly humbling experience. It allowed me to feel grateful for what I have while also acknowledging the responsibility to help those less fortunate. I enjoyed being actively involved on the other side of the kitchen – preparing, serving, and assisting. It was heartwarming to witness the impact of our efforts in brightening the day for those we served. The day served as a reminder that we can all contribute to making the world a more compassionate and caring place. Giselle: Helping to cook, serve, and talk to homeless people in Copenhagen on Mandela Day 2023 gave me different feelings. Of course, I felt good to help and cooperate with an organization that feeds vulnerable people in Copenhagen. Also, I enjoyed seeing the Crossing Borders team working in beautiful synergy with the South African Embassy team to spread Mandela’s legacy of making a positive impact in our community, and we impacted the lives of the people we cared for that day. As Mandela Day is also a day of reflection, I hope for better days for all nations where no one suffers from basic needs, and I wish we find “AMOR” wherever we go. Kateryna: I am delighted to be a part of the Mandela Day organization for the second year now. Working alongside the team has been a joy as we efficiently and swiftly handled all the preparations in the kitchen for those in need. The venue, our team, and the visitors served as a heartwarming reminder of the significance of compassion and benevolence in our world. Furkan: It was a great opportunity to volunteer at the event to help people in need by cooking and serving food with my colleagues and people from the South African Embassy on a special day such as Mandela Day. Also, cooking for more than 50 people was something I haven’t tried before. I enjoyed my time in the kitchen during the preparation phase. The highlight of the day, for me, was the moment I served the food and received a simple “thank you” with a smile. At the end of the day, I left the place with a feeling of relief by knowing I have done something good for the society I have been living in for almost a year.