ALF

On Thursday, November 28th, Crossing Borders, the Danish network head of the Anna Lindh Foundation, hosted a panel event titled “Bridging Cultures: Intercultural Dialogue Panel & Anna Lindh Foundation Danish Network Gathering.” Led by Garba Diallo, founder and director of Crossing Borders, the event featured four distinguished panellists discussing the transformative power of dialogue in shaping attitudes and driving social change. The panel included Anna Maria Blicher Skanborg, Project Manager at CKI (Danish Centre for Arts and Interculture); Sarah Arnd Linder, Founder of PiP (Political is Personal); Agob Yacoub, Director of Syrian Doc Days and Finjan; and Morten Kjaerum, Former Director of the Danish Institute for Human Rights. In a room filled with diverse voices, the air hums with stories of resilience, connection and the struggle to find understanding. These are not just anecdotes—they are lifelines in a world increasingly fractured by fear and division. Dialogue, the simple yet profound act of listening and speaking, lies at the heart of these efforts. As Anna put it, “If we don’t have dialogue, we have nothing.” This truth resonates across borders and identities, echoing the lived experiences of Syrians, Danes, Palestinians and Israelis, all gathered to explore the power of connection. In this blog, we delve into their stories—stories that reveal how dialogue can heal, transform and ultimately bridge even the widest divides. The Fragile Thread of Connection Dialogue often feels precarious, especially in times of crisis. Yet, as speaker after speaker emphasised, it is an essential lifeline. “I’ve worked in human rights for over 40 years,” Morten shared, “and dialogue has always been the most powerful tool in my toolbox.” The panellists acknowledged the growing challenges to open communication, but their collective faith in dialogue as a vehicle for change remains unshaken. Agob, who came to Denmark from Syria over a decade ago, reflected on how dialogue became a cornerstone of his integration into Danish society. “When I first arrived, I didn’t speak Danish. I didn’t understand the politics, the culture or the system,” he said. “But once I learned the language, I realised I had a mission—to share the knowledge I had gained and to create connections.” Language, he noted, was not just a tool for understanding but also a means of challenging prejudices and finding common ground. Art as a Universal Language In a world often divided by words, art has emerged as a powerful alternative—a universal language that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers. Agob, who organises Syrian documentary film festivals in Denmark, shared how art can illuminate stories that are otherwise lost in the noise of political discourse. “Through film, we show what’s happening on the ground in Syria. It’s not just about the war—it’s about the people, their resilience, their humanity.” Anna highlighted the transformative power of theatre, particularly in intercultural contexts. She spoke about a project that brought together actors from numerous countries to perform Shakespeare in Denmark. “It was challenging. Some funders said it wasn’t ‘Danish enough,’ but the performance shattered those preconceptions. It created a shared space where people could connect beyond their differences.” Physical theatre workshops also played a significant role in fostering connection. “We start with movement and non-verbal communication,” Anna explained. “By the time words are introduced, participants already see each other differently—as humans first, not as categories.” Listening as an Act of Courage Central to dialogue is the courage to listen. “To truly listen,” one panellist observed, “you have to be willing to be changed by what you hear.” This requires setting aside preconceived notions and engaging with openness and humility. This courage is especially evident in contexts of deep conflict. Sarah, who has roots in both Israel and Denmark, shared her journey of building bridges between Israelis and Palestinians. “After 7th October, I felt fear rising in me—a fear of Palestinians I had never experienced before. But I knew I couldn’t let that fear take hold. I sought out Palestinians here in Denmark to talk to them, to see their humanity and share my own.” Sarah’s story underscores a profound truth: meeting those we fear or misunderstand can dissolve even the most entrenched divisions. “Dialogue is underrated,” she continued. “It’s not just a way to resolve conflict—it’s a way to prevent it.” The Role of Safe Spaces For dialogue to thrive, it needs a safe environment. This point was emphasised repeatedly during the discussion. “Creating controlled, safe spaces for dialogue is crucial,” one speaker noted. “It allows people to confront their fears in a setting where they feel secure.” These spaces are especially vital in intercultural and intergenerational dialogues, where power imbalances and historical grievances often complicate conversations. As Agob put it, “I don’t want to be tolerated—I want to be accepted.” His words reflect a universal desire for dignity, one that safe spaces can help nurture. Anna told the audience about how she designs workshops to foster such environments. “In applied theatre, the space becomes a stage where everyone is equal. It’s not about performance—it’s about connection. After two hours, participants feel like they’ve known each other forever.” Challenging Prejudice and Power Throughout the conversation, participants returned to the theme of power—how it shapes dialogue and how it can perpetuate prejudice. “We all have biases,” one panellist admitted. “But the more we categorise people, the easier it becomes to dehumanise them.” Morten, who has worked extensively in human rights, shared a powerful example: “When I was leading an EU agency, we conducted a groundbreaking survey on LGBTQ+ rights. Before releasing the findings, we invited religious leaders to discuss the results. I told them, ‘We don’t have to agree, but we do have to listen.’ What surprised everyone was how small the list of disagreements actually was.” This approach—agreeing to disagree—offers a model for dialogue in polarised contexts. By focusing on shared values rather than divisions, it’s possible to move beyond entrenched positions and find common ground. The Ripple Effect of Dialogue The impact of dialogue extends far beyond the individuals involved. It creates ripples that influence communities,

The ALF Hands-On Program, organized by the Anna Lindh Foundation, is a valuable opportunity for individuals and organizations committed to intercultural dialogue and social change. It’s designed to provide participants with the practical tools, resources and training needed to effectively engage in local, regional and international projects that promote peace, social justice and cultural understanding in the Mediterranean region. The program offers a blend of theoretical learning and practical experience. Through online training modules, participants gain insight into areas such as community development, intercultural cooperation, and human rights advocacy. These resources are tailored to equip those working in civil society organizations with the skills necessary to drive positive change in their communities, particularly in diverse, multicultural environments. A key focus of the ALF Hands-On program is building a network of activists, young leaders, and social entrepreneurs who are committed to transforming intercultural dialogue into tangible actions. By participating, you can contribute to a growing movement dedicated to fostering mutual understanding and combating stereotypes, while also gaining exposure to a wide range of practices and approaches from fellow participants across the Euro-Mediterranean region. The training modules not only cover practical techniques for intercultural dialogue, but also explore leadership, communication strategies, and the challenges of navigating multicultural societies. This makes the program particularly relevant for those interested in building sustainable peace, addressing social issues, and improving community cohesion across diverse cultures. Learn More

The ACCT Anti-Racism and Civic Courage Training Conference, “Community Responses to Breaking Down Structures,” held on October 25th at Union, brought together over 80 participants from civil society organizations, artists, and activists for an inspiring evening dedicated to dismantling racist systems.  The event featured compelling keynote speeches by Garba Diallo (Crossing Borders) on “Diversity as Anti-Racism in Practice” and Shayi Addean (Another Life) on “Intersectional Approaches to Social Sustainability,” along with engaging panel discussions on topics like cultural resilience and grassroots anti-racist movements. Creative performances, including Suzanne Potempa’s belly dance, Wanjiku Victoria Seest’s theatrical piece Blinkered, and Fire Raka’s powerful rap, energized the audience and underscored the role of art in deconstructing racism.  The conference celebrated the achievements of the ACCT project, fostered collaboration among its eight member organizations, and reinforced a shared commitment to challenging oppressive systems while inspiring action towards a more equitable future.

Crossing Borders participated in the sixth regional Anna Lindh Foundation forum, entitled “Celebrating Our Diversity,” which was held in Gothenburg, Sweden, from October 16–18.  The forum brought together practitioners engaged in intercultural dialogue. The event, hosted by the National Museums of World Culture, sought to advance the concept of “Living Together” through discussions, networking, and collaborative learning. Notable moments included open mic sessions, during which attendees presented impactful community projects, thereby demonstrating creativity and civic spirit in addressing social issues.  Margaret Maged, who presented Crossing Borders, introduced the Antiracism and Civic Courage Training (ACCT) project and shared her personal journey from Denmark, emphasizing her mission to combat racism and empower students. Over 50 participants from NGOs, academia, and civil organizations engaged in networking, cultural visits, and cross-border partnerships.

From September 21st to 22nd, Peace Camp 2024 brought together a group of young leaders, artists, and activists on Youth Island (Ungdomsøen), Denmark. The event was characterised by a transformative experience of dialogue and peace. It was co-created by Crossing Borders, City Transformers, Transition World, SINE Network, The Hague Centre, AIESEC, and UN Youth. Its objective was to foster intercultural understanding through a comprehensive and inclusive program.The program comprised a variety of activities, including workshops, reflective group discussions, cultural expressions, and meditation, which collectively represented a multi-faceted approach to the concept of peace. A significant outcome was the Declaration for Peace, which was collectively devised by the participating young people through open discussions and reflective sessions. This declaration was subsequently presented at the Future Summit in New York. The program included the following highlights: participants were given the opportunity to explore the cultural traditions of Karelian-inspired laments and to engage in meditation sessions, which were designed to facilitate deeper reflection on the concept of peace. Artistic expression proved an effective means of fostering connection and understanding.A sunset ceremony provided an opportunity for a distinctive narrative experience, with themes of unity and resilience forming a central part of the discourse. Globally, participants engaged in the Unite 4 Peace session, connected through a co-created Hymn of Peace, and concluded the day with an Ecstatic Dance Party, celebrating their shared commitment.

After taking part in her first migrantour, Crossing Borders volunteer Margaret Maged Maher from Egypt wrote the following piece on her experience:  On my second day in Denmark 15 November 2023, I had one of the best experiences I’ve had in learning about a world I wasn’t aware of! How can one neighbourhood contain all these landmarks that highlight so many cultures? I never thought that when I came to Denmark, I would see so much diversity and different ethnicities from many cultural backgrounds from all over the world. On this migrant tour I was one of 23 international students from various countries including Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Japan, Korea, Mexico and Vietnam. After coffee and croissants, we were taken on exciting tour of NørreBro starting from the Cultural House UNION and through some 5 landmarks in the Nørrebro neighborhood which ranks as the coolest neighbourhood in the world in 2021 according to Time Out magazine. Each landmark has its own story about the cultural background those immigrants brought along with and how they integrated into this new world while maintaining their own identity. The neighbourhood has both been shaped by as it shapes the new cultures. At the end of the tour, I discovered that the migrant tour is one of the most important activities that emotionally affect a person and make him more connected to where he is. Organised by the Anna Lindh Danish Network, the event was a collaboration between Crossing Borders as Head of the Network and International People’s College as a member. The purpose of the Migrantour is to train and empower immigrants to tell their stories and the stories of the neighbourhoods they call home from their perspectives. The guides of the tour were Furkan Akay from Turkey and Maryam Alaoui from Lebanon.

On the 3rd of August 2023 the Danish Anna Lindh Network organised a very inspiring Food for Thought talk with Marek Azoulay Jørgensen. Marek is a consultant at Deloitte, youth leader and inclusion activist with multicultural background. Thus, his lively talk focused on inclusion, diversity and democracy in our society. The participants, 30 in number, were also very diverse in terms of culture, age, disability and gender. In addition to ALF Danish members, there were people from Brazil, Côte d’Ivoire, Denmark, Egypt, Ghana, Guinea, France, Sierraleone, South Africa, Turkey, Switzerland, Uganda, Ukraine, etc.    The event was moderated by CB board Vice Chair Nyeleti Nkuna.   During this wonderful evening, Marek started his talk by telling us about his childhood and teenage years which have played an important part in his journey.   Marek was born in Copenhagen by Moroccan/French mother and Danish father. He was a very shy boy and labelled as the “Moroccan kid” at school. Later on, he learnt that he was Jew and wanted to know more about the Jewish culture & religion and embrace his heritage. So now, he was also the “Jew kid”. At this time, Marek was still just a child and didn’t really understand what all the fuss, especially the implication of being part of a minority. But the other kids made him feel that way with silly jokes and teasing. Then, during his teenage years, Marek started to assert himself and wasn’t the shy boy anymore. He became hyperactive and took a leading role in high school associations and got interested in debate and youth engagement.   It was at that time Marek started to wonder about his sexuality. It took him time to realise that he was gay and out of fear he decided to hide it from everyone, family and friends. The lack of representation at this time was a huge challenge. It was hard for young people to relate to people who lived the same struggle and to feel confident in their own skin. That is why, when he did his coming out later on, he created a LGBTQIA+ association to help build a community and support people within this community on their journey.  Marek continued his talk by telling us about his personal and professional engagements.   He is a board member at Nyt Europa, a non-profit organisation that works for a sustainable and democratic EU. He is also a project coordinator at Fashion Revolution, the world largest fashion activist movement. And he is delegate at Ungdoms Bureauet, a non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering youth engagement and influence in societal matters.     Marek is also a co-founder of Mino, an interest organisation that works to strengthen the opportunities, voices and community participation of ethnic youth minority Danes, and at DUF (Danish Youth Council) an umbrella organisation representing all youth associations in Denmark that promotes youth participation in public affairs.  Regarding his activism and engagement, Marek also tries to include it into his professional environment within the company Deloitte where he is a Transformation Leadership Consultant. Marek is convinced that it is possible to work in the business sector and still be an activist. According to him, we should not put in opposition these two stakeholders. Private sector and NGO or citizens should work hand in hand for a better society, especially by using and fostering dialogue.  And to answer the question asked by Giselle Mesiara, Project Coordinator at Crossing Borders and Global Activist: “How can we make these two worlds, private sector and NGO, meet and bridge the gap between them?”, Marek assures that people are the solution to do that. We need people who are interested in crossing paths, changing directions and bringing all their experiences, convictions and engagements with them.  Overall, Marek’s journey and commitment demonstrate the importance of creating a more inclusive, diverse, and sustainable society through youth involvement and open dialogue.  Marek’s efforts align with the goals of the Anna Lindh Foundation, international and inter-governmental organisation of which Crossing Borders is the Head of Network in Danmark, which promotes a culture based on intercultural dialogue, exchange and cooperation between people.  That is what Food for Thought is all about, bring people together, allow them to share their stories and foster dialogue between people and culture. The discussion went on during the delicious dinner prepared by Claudia from Brazil. 

On 9-10 March 2023, the Swedish network of the Anna Lindh Foundation organised a regional network meeting at the World Culture Museum (Världskulturmuseet) in Gothenburg, with the participation of members and alumni of the Anna Lindh Foundation Swedish network and network coordinators from Denmark, Finland, Germany, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.   The meeting programme includes networking activities, practitioner’s lab workshop, and open mic presentations of intercultural dialogue projects by members and network coordinators from Finland, Denmark and Germany. The Executive Director of the Anna Lindh Foundation, Josep Ferré, presented the Foundation Strategy 2022-2025 and its working priorities.

On 11 May 2023 morning took place the Intercultural Morning Coffee around the topic: Talking About My Generation. During this meeting, 3 speakers talked about the importance of intergenerational dialogue as a mean of prevention and creating solutions to our global problems. How can leadership and power be shared between generations? What are the most common stereotypes that exist between generations? How do we counter ageism? How do we gain access to the filter bubbles around each generation?

On 12-14 June, the Swedish Network hosted the Anna Lindh Foundation institutional meetings with the Board of Governors, Advisory Council and Network Coordinators in the framework of the Sweden’s presidency of the EU Council. The meetings were hosted by the Swedish network coordinator at the World Culture Museum in Gothenburg with the support of the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Those meetings focused on how to tackle the issues encountered by the coordinators. They were presented to the board of the Anna Lindh Foundation of which Mari Neuvonen from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland is the chairman.