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Last Thursday, on the 11th of October, our Food for Thought monthly event was hosted by the presence of Mette Müller Kristensen, the Director of Global Focus. Global Focus stands as a unifying platform of Danish associations committed to international development, environmental initiatives, and humanitarian efforts. Mette’s role as a member of the 2030-panelet further underscores her dedication to supporting the political advocacy of the 2030 network and advancing the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals.  Mette’s extensive experience and deep knowledge of both Danish and global civil society underscore her impactful contributions to the realm of international development. Her dedication to amplifying diverse voices, promoting inclusivity, and advocating for sustainable change resonates profoundly in today’s interconnected world. Through her unwavering commitment to bridging gaps and fostering meaningful collaborations, Mette is an immense inspiration for driving positive change on a global scale. With a Master’s degree in African Studies from the University of Copenhagen, Mette has a wealth of expertise in international development cooperation, advocating for Leave No One Behind initiatives, and fostering meaningful civil society engagement. For the past five years, she has spearheaded the international efforts of Danish organizations focused on empowering individuals with disabilities, while also leveraging her nuanced understanding of Global Focus.  During her enlightening talk, Mette shared insights into her remarkable journey, rooted in a transformative exchange experience in Tanzania. It was in this moment that the stark contrasts between her native Copenhagen and the realities of other nations became vividly apparent to her. Despite her initial aspirations to work in political science, the opportunity to visit Tanzania through a political party initiative marked a pivotal turning point in her career path.  Mette emphasized the profound significance of grassroots organizations and highlighted the importance of inclusive decision-making processes, particularly shedding light on the perspectives often overlooked within the Western context. Her vivid examples, such as the juxtaposition between Africans who have never experienced a safari versus Western tourists, served as poignant illustrations of the disparities in global experiences.   In conclusion, Mette’s compelling narrative and insightful perspectives have illuminated the vital importance of inclusive global engagement and the power of grassroots initiatives in shaping sustainable development. We feel very grateful for sharing her enriching experiences and valuable insights with us during our Food for Thought event. Her passion for advocating for marginalized voices and her dedication to fostering positive change serve as an inspiration to us all. Thank you for joining us on this enlightening journey – your presence has truly been inspiring!  – By Sara Montes Martínez, Intern at Crossing Borders

This month marked the start of my journey as an intern at Crossing Borders, and it has been nothing short of inspiring! As part of my introduction to the organization, I had the opportunity to participate in a workshop with a group of Japanese students. The objective was simple yet profound: to reflect on and learn about the importance of diversity, not just in society, but in our personal lives as well. From the moment the workshop began, the students’ energy and openness set the tone. Even though I was a bit worried about how it would all unfold—especially with the language barrier—the presence of a skilled translator made the communication flow easily, allowing everyone to feel included and fully involved. It was clear that the students had come with open minds, eager to engage with the topic. Therefore, I couldn’t have been more impressed by their readiness to dive into the discussions. The workshop was designed to be interactive and participatory, so we explored diversity through group discussions, storytelling, and presentations. Each activity was crafted to encourage personal reflection on how diversity impacts our everyday lives and communities. The students were quick to share their thoughts, drawing on their own experiences, and it became clear that this wasn’t just an academic exercise for them—they were genuinely curious and thoughtful about what diversity meant. One thing that really struck me was how insightful their comments were. For many of them, diversity is not something they encounter regularly, but they approached it with an open-hearted willingness to learn. The discussions often went deeper than I expected, and it was a joy to witness how they took these conversations seriously. But the most meaningful moment for me came toward the end of the day. After we’d spent hours discussing the different facets of diversity, one of the girls, who had functional diversity, was visibly moved by the session and shared with us how she felt related tot the topic. She talked about her experiences of navigating life with her disability and how discussions around diversity had given her the courage to open up. There was this quiet, powerful moment in the room as everyone listened, and I could see that her words were reaching the other students in a profound way. Her story was a reminder of why these conversations are so important. Diversity isn’t just a concept; it’s deeply personal, and the way we understand and embrace it can change lives. I left the workshop feeling really grateful—not just because of the students’ willingness to engage, but because they had shown me the power of these dialogues. As my first workshop, this experience exceeded every expectation I had. The students’ genuine involvement, their thoughtfulness, and the emotional depth of the discussions left a lasting impression on me. It showed me the real impact of education and it was the perfect way to start this new chapter. I can’t wait to see what the rest of my time at Crossing Borders will bring. Written by: Sara Montes Martínez, Intern at Crossing Borders

Yesterday, we celebrated a very meaningful Mandela Day in collaboration with the South African Embassy in Denmark and the Mother Teresa-affiliated Charity Mission in Copenhagen. Since the charity mission is closed on Thursday, July 18, the official Mandela Day, we held the event a day earlier, on Wednesday, July 17. Our team from CB included six participants: Jessica (Ireland), Luka (Georgia), Margo (Egypt), Oussama (Palestine), Tanya (India), and Garba (Global). We arrived at the mission before noon, ready to work. Some staff members from the South African Embassy were already present, with others, including Ambassador Ms. Magubane, joining later. In total, seven individuals from the embassy actively participated. The treat included fresh fruits, soft drinks, and a Mandela birthday cake. We prepared and served fresh food to about 40-50 homeless citizens from various national backgrounds. Observing the group, it’s evident that Copenhagen is becoming increasingly diverse, even among its most vulnerable populations. The majority were men aged 25-50, struggling with challenges such as mental health issues, alcohol and drug misuse, poverty, and other health problems. These individuals represent a small fraction of the estimated 5,000 homeless people living on the streets of Denmark’s big cities. Compared to many other countries, Denmark’s situation for the homeless is better, with numerous shelters providing free food and beds for the night. While Mandela dedicated 60 years of his life to volunteering (excluding the 27 years he spent behind bars), we are proud to have spent about six hours serving those who need it most. A billion thanks to the South African Embassy and the Crossing Borders team for making Mandela Day in Copenhagen so meaningful.

PM Office, Kampala Focus group Dance for life! Boda boda The belt bike Men at work LSDGs Partners Mobile in their hands From May 6 to 13, I, along with Crossing Borders (CB) external consultant Johannes Nordentoft, visited Uganda (also known as the Pearl of Africa). The purpose of the visit was to meet our Localizing the SDGs project partners: Open Space Center in Uganda, Ghana Community Radio Network (GCRN), and Circus Zambia (CZ). OSC was our excellent host. As the title indicates, the aim of the project was to localize efforts to achieve the global goals in local communities. The project was motivated by the conviction that localizing the SDGs in local communities and youth is the surest way towards achieving them. After three years of implementation in Ghana, Uganda, and Zambia, the Kampala event was the concluding action experience, sharing with the partners to reflect on the experience and look ahead. GCRN was represented by the local evaluator Lawrence Naikouur and youth leader Edwin Gogu, CZ was represented by Executive Director Charlotte Groen and local evaluator Eric Mwansa, while OSC was represented by Team Leader Wakibu Bunnya, Program Managers Nakato Rehema Sessimba, Tamale Joel Baliruno, and Kakaire Ashraf, and local evaluator Namuwonge Brenda. I had the honor of representing Crossing Borders, the project lead. Program Activities Our activities comprised field visits to several project sites in different districts in and around Kampala and Jinja. We also visited the Prime Minister’s office, where the SDGs secretariat is located, and met with the head of the department and program head. After that, we had focus group discussions with members of the SDG Youth Task Forces and individual youth leaders. After these activities and observations in the various districts in and around Kampala and Jinja, here are the most important takeaways from my experience: Like most African countries, Uganda is rich in human resources, creativity, abundant natural resources, and resilience. Generally, the overall situation is improving and is better compared to 5, 10, and 60 years ago when the country gained formal political independence. The improvement is visible in the attitudes, behaviors, and drive of the youth. They exude polite self-confidence and determination, they know what they want, and are eager to take a seat at the table. Most of the youth have access to vital information using their mobile phones and are rapidly developing their entrepreneurial mindsets and skills. However, they need a youth-friendly policy framework, a supportive economic environment, lifelong learning, training, and decent employment. More than many other countries, Uganda is blessed with a youthful and rapidly growing population, with youth constituting over 75% of the nearly 50 million inhabitants. For the youth, the priorities are decent jobs, life skills, relevant education rooted in their cultural and economic realities, and having their rights mainstreamed in the development processes of the country at all levels. They want to participate in addressing the issues that affect their living conditions and civic rights. With an increasing population, number of vehicles and boda bodas, and hyper-economic activities, safe and efficient infrastructure like roads are urgently needed for the highly mobile young population. Decent and affordable housing, clean energy, sufficient and sustainable food production and local processing, and accessible public healthcare are other necessities. Thus, there are huge opportunities for fair investment which need to take local needs into high consideration. The Chinese are already there building physical infrastructures such as the new highway between Entebbe and Kampala. Uganda is landlocked but very fertile and blessed with abundant and vital water and agricultural resources, such as Lake Victoria, which is 72,000 sq km, plus the world’s longest river, the Nile, which starts its journey in Uganda. One can almost grow anything in the country year-round, which perhaps prompted Churchill to call the country the Pearl of Africa. With sustainable management, Uganda can feed not only herself but many other countries as well. Most of the people in Uganda were born and have grown up under the same president. Hence, many of them have a hard time imagining life under another leader. As change is the only permanent thing in life, sooner or later the current leadership must give way to others. Like many other African countries, the key to sustainable development, peace, and prosperity in Uganda lies in having strong, fair, democratic, and citizen-centered institutions. Institutions that cater to the real needs of the citizens, fulfill their legitimate aspirations to participate, and have their needs, rights, and perspectives mainstreamed in the national development and governance policies and practices at all levels. Such policies include the localization of the SDGs in the local youth and communities as the surest way towards achieving them. Garba Diallo, Director of Crossing Borders

Embark on a journey through the corridors of the European Union with a group of bright minds from Denmark’s Flakkebjerg. Delving into the intricate fabric of EU institutions and pressing societal issues, these students have penned down a compelling series of articles that promise to ignite thought, spark dialogue, and foster understanding. From the nuanced complexities of mental health policies to the ongoing pursuit of diversity and the quest for gender equality, each article offers a fresh perspective, rooted in research and driven by a passion for change. Join us in celebrating the intellectual prowess and dedication of these young scholars as they navigate the realms of European governance and social justice. Click below to read their attached article and immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of European discourse. Download Articles

Held on April 18, 2024, we hosted our monthly Food for Thought event. This month, our guest was Andrii Kuzmyn, the General Manager of the non-profit organization ‘Bevar Ukraine’. Bevar Ukraine is the largest humanitarian organization run by and for Ukrainians. They provide logistical support to Ukraine and Ukrainians who have sought refuge in Denmark. During the presentation, Andrii shared his life story, global adventures, personal and professional experiences, as well as his civic and humanitarian activism, along with heartfelt thoughts that motivate and inspire him to support Ukraine from his base in Denmark. Andrii’s career is as diverse as his personal life, having taken him around the world and involved him in various fields from IKEA to finance to corporations like Siemens and WSA. The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2014 proved to be a pivotal moment for Andrii, driving him to found and lead Bevar Ukraine since then. Bevar Ukraine collects and delivers humanitarian aid, including medical kits, hospital beds, and ambulances, while also providing psychological support to displaced Ukrainians in Denmark. As usual, participants in this event come from various backgrounds, including students, all sharing a common interest in the situation in Ukraine. The event was facilitated by Oksana, a youth leader from Ukraine. In their engaging conversation, Andrii and Oksana Nykytyuk were able to touch upon the deep-seated challenges facing Ukraine and the emotional distress only understood by those directly involved. Through Andrii’s presentation, we were able to deepen our understanding of the tragic situations of the war in Ukraine, and each of us had a chance to consider what we can do for people in difficult situations. Following the presentation, participants engaged in discussions over a community dinner prepared by the renowned chefs of Send Flere Krydderier, concluding the evening in a peaceful atmosphere. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-6RJimfcww Article written by: Masato IsajiVideo edited by: Oussama El Sayed

On Thursday, the 14th of March, we had the amazing opportunity to meet and share our stories on the occasion of another Food for Thought, organized by Crossing Borders and Union in Nørrebro. FFT provides a pleasant and safe environment to learn from and be inspired by each other’s life experiences through storytelling, followed by a delightful community dinner prepared by Send More Spices. This time, the invited speaker was Oda-Kange Diallo-Midtvage, a Black Norwegian researcher, recent PhD graduate in Interdisciplinary Cultural Studies, and passionate black feminist. During the conversation, facilitated by Nyeleti Sue-Angel Nkuna, Oda-Kange shared memories of her upbringing in Denmark (born in Oslo, then moved to Denmark), where her father, Garba Diallo (director of Crossing Borders), got a job at International People’s College. In Elsinore, she and her brother learned to be part of a community with an international orientation and within a home where four languages were spoken. She also learned there not to assume but to get to know people, as she said. Admittedly, this approach became a foundation stone of her future academic career. Oda-Kange initially studied Anthropology but soon realized that she didn’t want to do “anthropology at home” (namely being a native working in their own society) but wanted to do research instead. She works based on black feminist ethics, thus trying to show collective care and transparency in conversations rather than just interviewing people. Relationships and deeply shared things are a method for her work. Because of the Covid crisis, Oda-Kange moreover realized that she needed others, so there were finally co-writers for her doctoral thesis on knowledge creation and black feminist critique. She questioned the (colonial and/or racist) archives/history, so she chose writing letters as “counter-archiving”, as four Afro-Nordic feminists wrote to each other in the form of letters. Also, for her, black feminism goes together with radical thinking, where it also comes from. Currently working at the University of Copenhagen, Oda-Kange shared that she is still concerned about why it is still so hard to do research as a black feminist within Danish academia, whose institutional whiteness she stresses. She wants to do intersectional work, transcending boundaries and/or capitalism and ensuring that no one is left behind in the fight for equality and justice. She is interested in Blackness in the Nordics and racialized identities rather than a color-blind approach that is held in Scandinavian educational systems. Thus, her research focuses on black and African diasporic knowledge production in the Nordics. As a member of the Afro-Nordic feminisms, she believes in the radical potentials of black studies in the Nordic context. As the night came to a close, enriched by inspiring conversations and deeper personal connections forged over dinner, we bid farewell, grateful for the moments shared. Written By: Angeliki Alexopoulou