Crossing Borders

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

On October 12, our Food For Thought event featured a remarkable guest, Charlotte Flindt, an expert in international relations and a captivating speaker who shared valuable insights about her experiences and thoughts on current global issues.   As a member of the CB team, I was welcoming guests at the entrance when I witnessed a touching moment that truly represented our community’s spirit. An elderly man, eager to attend but lacking a Mobilepay app, was helped by a caring couple who bought his ticket. This act of kindness highlighted the warmth of our community, where age and familiarity are no barriers.  At the beginning of the event, attendees shared their diverse origins, emphasizing the event’s inclusive atmosphere. Following that, Charlotte shared her life story: portraying her teenage years spent in the Soviet Union and vividly describing her experiences, both in her studies and work. Later She went beyond personal stories. She addressed the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the tensions between Israel and Palestine. Her words resonated deeply, especially when she said, “Courage brings Freedom,” highlighting Ukraine’s resilience against Russia’s aggression. She also emphasized a fundamental truth: “War happens when people stop having a dialogue.” This insight shed light on the complex situation in Israel and Palestine, stressing the need for open conversations to promote understanding and peace.   After her impressive speech, attendees gathered for a shared meal, where conversations continued. Witnessing new connections form was heartening, showcasing the warm atmosphere of Food For Thought events. These interactions highlighted the event’s importance – it’s not just discussions; it’s a platform fostering friendships and meaningful talks. The event reminded us of the power of dialogue and understanding. War often arises from communication breakdowns. Charlotte’s words guided us toward a world where open discussions prevail, ensuring unity and peace.   Food For Thought isn’t just an event, It’s about inspiring change, making connections, and embracing diverse perspectives. We welcome you to become part of our community, where every voice is valued, and every story contributes to our shared understanding. Join us on November 16 for another evening of enlightenment and togetherness!  Authored By: Luka Tsibadze

During the last week of September CB, together with 100% for Børnene and Promentum, visited the Adventure Efterskolen in Broager. We implemented a three-day workshop with their project management course focused on creating engagement both locally and globally around the SDGs for our project Engaging Danish Schools in Development Work. This was accomplished through hands on activities that implemented non-formal education techniques to explore what are the SDGs, how they are being implemented globally to in turn look at how we can view them in a local context. This was made possible thanks to Denmak School in Zimbabwe which shared the ways in which they are localizing the SDGs. This was based in a new relationship between the two schools resulting in what we call Friendship Schools – a sustained collaboration and dialogue between peer groups across the globe. This Friendship School partnership allowed the Danish students to learn about new cultures and contexts, as well as challenge their own ideas of “Africa”. By doing so, we were also able to challenge our own ideas of Denmark as well– leading to many fruitful conversations in group and individual formats.   After spending the first day learning about the SDGs as a whole and the projects done by Denmak School, in which the students were especially moved by the Zimbabwean peers production greenhouse on site and their solar panel projects, the students spent the second day looking at project management and Design Thinking principles to dream up local ways they could take inspiration to make a similar project. After an intense day, in groups of 3 and 4, the students gave one-minute proposals on ways to implement one or more SDG in their context. This ideation process resulted in student-led proposals on reducing food waste in supermarkets (SDG 2), installing solar panels at their school (SDG 7), awareness about water system pollution from fertilizer run off in agriculture (SDG 6 & 12), and re-examining the meat-free menu options in their school (SDG 2). After getting peer-to-peer feedback and guidance from the facilitators, they fine-tuned their proposals through using Empathy Mapping and Product Walk.  This practice allowed them to imagine how local stakeholders and users might receive their projects. At the end of the day, each group gave a final presentation with these new considerations and the entire course chose one final project they would like to work on over the coming weeks. Spoiler alert: reducing food waste in the supermarkets overwhelmingly won the student vote.  The last day, as per the feedback from the group, we focused on the concrete ways to ensure an implementation of  the project over a period of 6 weeks This meant the students divided into groups based on interest: project management, awareness campaign, and fundraising; And spent time dividing tasks and seeing how they could work together to guarantee implementation. Their end goal: Having local supermarkets mark down damaged/unsellable food products or to-be-expired produce and have the difference in price be used to raise money that they will propose to the Denmak School can be used on their greenhouse project. We left the group excited about the future steps to take to make this vision a reality. Now it is on them to take the next steps to implement it and continue their discussion with their new friendship school. Of course, we will be here to support them, but ultimately, we are looking forward to seeing how they can make this change in their community while engaging globally. Authored by: Andrew Gibbons

Imagine a world where school meals aren’t just plates of food; they’re exciting adventures served with a side of sustainability. With schools adopting longer schedules and students desiring for healthy, sustainable meal options, the conversation on school lunches has never been more crucial.  Denmark, known for its liberal approach to school lunches, faces a pivotal moment. The country has the unique opportunity to redefine its approach to school meals, integrating nutrition, learning, and sustainability. On 29 September At the School Food Forum at the Frederiksberg City Hall a group of experts, educators, policymakers, and our dedicated team at Crossing Borders gathered to discuss and co-create the future of school meals in Denmark.  The day started with the energy of young minds in the Young People’s Foodlab, showcasing innovative proposals for green food solutions. This demonstrated how project-based learning and youthful creativity can integrate into sustainability education. The event was also graced by Jacob Jensen, Minister for Food, Agriculture, and Fisheries, who set the stage with insights into the past, present, and future of school meals in Denmark.   As for the Crossing Border’s presence at the event, We were proudly presenting “Growing Green Communities” program. This initiative is more than just a project, it’s a vision for a healthier, sustainable future. “Growing Green Communities” Project aims to understand the pathways of change in urban food production and consumption, we encourage young people to support communities in initiating urban gardening projects. It’s about empowering young gardeners, promoting plant-powered diets, and supporting local food heroes. Through this initiative, every meal becomes an opportunity for learning, fostering a deeper connection between food, sustainability, and community.  The event culminated in a powerful discussion about the significance of healthy school lunches and different perspectives of school food policies, involving CB team members from various countries. It showcased Crossing Borders’ commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and the belief that every child deserves access to nutritious meals for a brighter future.  Our presence at this event symbolizes our dedication to shaping a world where education, nutrition, and sustainability intersect harmoniously. The importance of providing healthy meals lies at the heart of Crossing Borders’ mission, because at Crossing Borders, every meal is a story, and every story is a step towards a better, greener world. Written By: Luka Tsibadze

What comes to your mind when you hear about Diversity? I had the opportunity to participate in the Crossing Borders workshop on “Diversity” for Japanese youth, and I must say it was an enriching experience. As a member of the Crossing Borders team, this workshop allowed me to interact with people from Japan for the first time, and it was both exciting and eye-opening. Prior to this workshop, my knowledge of Japanese culture was primarily limited to what I had seen in movies, which had always fascinated me.    日本語訳（in Japanese):   「ダイバーシティ」と聞いて何を思い浮かべますか？私は日本人の若者を対象とした”Diversity Workshop(多様性をテーマにしたワークショップ）”に参加する機会がありました。Crossing Bordersの一員として、このワークショップを通して初めて日本人と交流する機会が得られ、それは非常に楽しくまた目を見張るようなものでした。参加する前の私の日本に関する知識といえば主に映画の中で見たことに限定されますが、それはいつも私を魅了していました。  One aspect of the workshop that I particularly enjoyed was the various activities that were designed to facilitate our interactions and encourage us to express our opinions on what diversity means to us. Among these activities, the one that stood out to me the most was the exercise where we formed a line in the room and positioned ourselves based on whether we agreed or disagreed with a given statement. This activity was promoting discussion and self-reflection.   日本語訳（in Japanese):  このワークショップで取り組んだ様々なアクティビティは交流を促進し、また多様性が私たちにとってどんな意味があるのか活発に意見を出し合えるように工夫されていました。私にとって最も印象的だったのは、初めに部屋の中心で一列に並び、お題（自身の多様性に関する経験・考え方）を聞いて自分の賛成度・反対度に合わせて移動するアクティビティです。この活動を通して互いに話し合い、また自分自身の経験を振り返ることができたように感じます。 What made this activity special was the freedom it gave us to adjust our positions as we heard different opinions from our fellow participants. It encouraged us to actively listen to one another and be open to changing our perspective when we resonated with someone else’s point of view. This dynamic approach created an environment where diversity of thought was not only acknowledged but celebrated. It reminded me that diversity is not just about our backgrounds or identities but also about the diversity of ideas and perspectives that everyone brings to the table  日本語訳（in Japanese):  この活動では他の参加者の意見を聞いて自由に自分の位置を移動することができました。そのため、互いの意見にしっかりと耳を傾け、他者の視点に共感した時に柔軟に自分の視点を変化させることが促されており、多様な考え方が認められるだけではなく歓迎される環境が作り出されました。「多様性」とは私たちの生い立ちやアイデンティティだけを指すのではなく、自身の意見や視点の多様性も含まれていることに気づかされました。 Perspective from CB member from Japan   I was in charge of translation into Japanese for the first time. I found some words, for instance, “intersectionality” and “inclusion” are difficult to translate directly because these concepts haven’t been widely used in Japan yet. This experience once again made me realized that Japan is pretty much behind in terms of diversity. I think that people in Japan know that Diversity is a “good thing” and have a partial understanding of it, but do not understand completely and do not put into practice enough. As the saying goes, “出る杭は打たれる(the nail that sticks out gets hammered down)”, there is a tendency to prefer to behave like others in order not to attract attention by behaving differently. I think this makes it difficult to promote diversity.   The workshop provided a fantastic opportunity to think about ways to foster diversity in Japan. After enjoying various games, we had discussions like “Besides fun, what was the point of the activity?” and “How do you think it could relate to diversity?”. At that time, participants realized that these activities were intended to help them experience diversity to deepen their understanding of it.   In the final activity, our team difined diversity as a “Rainbow”, because everyone has different “colors” but in the end, they come together to create something beautiful like a reainbow. I believe that respecting people’s differences and cooperate together with taking advantage of differences can make our society much better.    日本語訳（in Japanese):  Crossing Borders 日本人メンバーより  初めて日本語翻訳を担当しました。特に「intersectionality（交差する多様性）」や「inclusion（包摂）」のような単語は、概念が日本でまだ十分に普及していないため直訳が難しいと感じました。そこで改めて日本が多様性の面でかなり遅れていることを実感しました。日本の人々は多様性が「良いものだ」と理解しているとは思いますが、完全に理解しておらず、充分に実践できていないように思います。「出る杭は打たれる」という諺の通り、他者からの注目を浴びないように他の人々と同じように振る舞う傾向があります。これが多様性の普及を妨げていると考えます。  私にとってこのワークショップは日本で多様性を促進する方法について考える素晴らしい機会でした。様々なゲームを楽しんだ後、「楽しい以外に、このゲームの目的は何でしょうか？」「このゲームが多様性とどのように関連すると思いますか？」といった話し合いの時間がありました。その時初めて、参加者はこれらのゲームが多様性を体験し、多様性をより深く理解するために意図されていることに気付くのです。  最後の活動で私たちのチームは多様性を「虹」と定義しました。それは誰もが異なる「色」を持っていて、最終的に虹のように美しいものになるからです。私は人々の違いを尊重し、違いを活かして協力することで良い社会になると考えています。 Overall, the Crossing Borders workshop on “Diversity” for Japanese youth was a fantastic experience that allowed me to broaden my horizons and gain a deeper appreciation for the importance of embracing diversity in all its forms. I believe that workshops like these are instrumental in promoting understanding and inclusion. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of it and to capture through my photography these beautiful interactions.  日本語訳（in Japanese):  今回のワークショップ全体を通して自分自身の視野を広げ、あらゆる多様性を受け入れる重要性を深く理解することができました。私はこのようなワークショップが多様性に関する理解を深め、互いの違いを認め合い協力することを促進する機会になると信じています。今回参加できたこと、そしてこのような美しい交流を写真に収める機会が与えられたことに感謝しています。 Authored by Lustin Baisan  and Eimi Yamashita