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Written by: Ella Hvass, Julia Kristensen and Gry Ida Voss. Hello everyone, we are 18 students and three teachers from Fredensborg Municipality, all in 9th grade, who in November 2024 went on a study trip to Ghana. We had an incredibly exciting and unique experience. We went as SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) ambassadors to focus on goals 4 (quality education) , 7 (affordable and clean energy) , and 12 (responsible consumption and production). Throughout our trip, we encountered many new and fascinating things, such as Boti Falls, the Ada radio station, and Naana Baadu School, which was the primary purpose of our visit. At the school, everyone was very welcoming, and the children were incredibly sweet and excited to see us. We didn’t just experience new things; we also learned a lot. One of the main lessons we took away was their immense sense of gratitude. Everyone we met had a big smile on their face and was eager to help. You could really sense how grateful they were that we took the time to visit their country, experience their way of life, and immerse ourselves in their culture. These experiences also taught us the importance of patience in many African countries. Time in Ghana works very differently. For example, when we had to take the ferry, it didn’t leave until it was completely full. We also encountered traffic jams that lasted more than two hours. These experiences have shown us that there are far more important things in life than complaining about a 20-minute traffic delay in Denmark. Many of the things we encountered were different from what we had expected. Before we left, we had certain assumptions, especially about the people. We thought we would stand out a lot, but instead, they included us in everything and were incredibly welcoming. To conclude, we would like to recommend a trip like ours. It is both highly educational and unique, so go ahead and take the trip with other young people. Thank you for reading! The trip to Ghana is part of Crossing Borders’ project “Yes – Youth Engagement and Sustainability” supported by Globus Puljen.  

Are you an educator looking to inspire and engage your students with critical global and local issues? Our Facilitator’s Manual guides you in creating meaningful and interactive sessions for young minds. This manual, funded by Europa-Nævnet and developed by Crossing Borders, equips facilitators with the tools and techniques to:– Deepen students’ understanding of the European Union.– Encourage thoughtful discussions about inclusion, cultural diversity, and political stability.– Foster debate, critical thinking, and public speaking skills. Originally designed for 16-17-year-olds, the manual can easily be adapted for various age groups, ensuring that every learner gets a personalized and enriching experience. Download the manual today and start creating workshops that empower your students to be active, informed, and engaged members of their community. Download Now About the Project: Expanding Club-Europe The project aimed to enhance the knowledge and engagement of boarding school students about the European community through webinars, interactive workshops, and a major debate event. Using the 2024 European Parliament election as a starting point, the project invited young people to reflect on and share their views on themes such as inclusion, cultural diversity, security, and political stability through group work, role-playing, and dialogue-based methods. The project largely used a peer-to-peer approach, where young people were inspired by and debated with other young people, both from Denmark and abroad. As part of the project, three workshops were conducted at two boarding schools, Karise and Ryslinge. Additionally, two webinars were held with Mogens Lykketoft and Lisbeth Pilegaard, during which students and teachers were inspired and engaged by the speakers’ stories and experiences. Funded with a grant from Europa-Nævnet. Responsibility for the content lies solely with the grant recipient.

From November 22 to 26, 2024, CB Director Garba Diallo conducted a monitoring visit and capacity-building mission to Armenia. The visit centered around the Analytical Centre for Regional and Global Cooperation (ACRGC), our partner in the Armenia Meeting Point project. This initiative aims to build bridges between civil society and independent media, equipping them to address the pressing challenges posed by encroaching anti-democratic forces. A major highlight of the trip was a capacity-building seminar held in Gyumri, a city located near the Armenian-Turkish border. The seminar tackled the crucial theme: “The Needs and Strategies for Civil Society Actors and Independent Media to Join Forces to Expand and Protect Civil Spaces.” Gathering 37 representatives from 12 civic organizations and three independent media outlets across Armenia, the seminar provided a platform for dialogue, experience-sharing, and strategic planning. It was hosted by the renowned democracy advocate, journalist, and art director Dr. Levon Barseghyan, whose dedication to democratic values inspired participants. The discussions culminated in a shared agreement among participants: The best way to safeguard democracy is for civil society and independent media to join forces around common interests. The success of this trip would not have been possible without the efforts and support of Dr. Stepan Grigoryan, Armen Grigoryan, Dr. Levon Barseghyan, and Nona Hovhannisyan. This visit reaffirmed the importance of cross-sector collaboration in safeguarding democratic values. 

Reflections on the storytelling evening Crossing Borders hosted in collaboration with the Silvers on 21 November 2024 in Copenhagen. Titled Tell Your Story, You Exist, the evening utilized two universal social spaces—storytelling and food—as a framework. Storytelling is profoundly powerful and ingrained in our identities as individuals, as well as being an essential part of human culture. One could argue: we are our stories. Without stories, we cannot communicate, interact, or participate in conversations meaningfully. The same applies to food, without which we cannot exist. Hence, unlike René Descartes, who declared, I think, therefore I am, I would instead say, I tell my story, therefore I am. In our information-overloaded society, storytelling has become even more vital. Gathering a diverse group of participants from across the globe—including Argentina, Brazil, Croatia, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Germany, India, Iran, Ireland, Malaysia, Nigeria, Turkey, and more—the event began with participants talking in pairs, then presenting each other as the stars of the night. These presentations focused on the person’s interests, passions, and key moments in their life journeys that shaped who they are. Age, education, occupation, and other technical aspects were omitted. It was challenging to avoid the usual format of, My name is, I am this age, I studied that, and I work as such. Excluding such details prevented those unemployed from feeling worthless or lacking a professional identity. Next, I shared a portion of my own life story. Starting with life in the tiny village where I grew up with my parents, seven siblings, and other extended family members. As Fulani cowboys, our lives revolved around cows. About 99% of the people were illiterate and resisted sending their children to the French colonial school, where children often lost more than they gained. The school was like a torture camp—local languages were banned, children were brainwashed to reject their culture, and worst of all, their stories. The colonists claimed there was no history before their arrival, undermining self-worth and confidence. Many children left school knowing little more than how to say, I don’t know, I don’t dare, and I can’t. In defiance of colonial propaganda, the locals preserved their culture through storytelling and hands-on learning. Many stories were shared at night in open-air circles around a fire. I then narrated one such story from Africa, specifically from Ethiopia. It tells how a woman tamed her husband. A long time ago, there was a young, irresistibly beautiful woman. Many young men competed for her hand in marriage. She declared that she would marry the man who told the most beautiful story. Each suitor was tasked with composing and telling his story at a set time and place. The public would listen and choose the best storyteller. She would marry the winner. The men worked tirelessly to create their stories. When the time came, the woman chose the man with the most exciting story, which happened to be about how a woman tamed her husband. She married him, and they lived happily together for several years. However, as the locals say, love is like a garden—it needs constant care and watering, or it will wither. This is exactly what happened. Over time, her husband became distracted, lost interest in her, and stopped noticing whether she was happy, sad, or unwell. Feeling miserable, the woman sought help from the village medicine man. She explained her troubles, and he listened empathetically. He told her, “I can help you, but you must bring me three hairs from the mane of a living lion.” The woman thought this task sounded simple but soon realized its difficulty. She remembered that a fierce lion roamed near her village every night, snatching small animals like lambs. Using her beautiful singing voice—a talent that had once captivated men—she approached the lion’s path one night, carrying a lamb. She sang softly, leaving the lamb for the lion. This continued for several nights until the lion began to recognize her voice. Over time, the lion became calm and even approached her with its ears lowered and tail wagging. One night, the lion laid its head on her lap, and she gently stroked its mane, plucking three hairs. As soon as the lion fell asleep, she quietly left. Triumphantly, she delivered the hairs to the medicine man, who smiled and said, “Now you have solved the problem.” As is common with African stories, this one ends with a question: What did the medicine man mean when he said, Now you have solved the problem? The participants guessed the answer. The evening then transitioned to dinner and wine, with reflections on the story before playing a card game. Each participant drew a card with prompts such as, Tell a story when you were in danger, received a nice gift, felt embarrassed, broke the law, and so on. Each story sparked another, creating a cascade of narratives. Thank you for the storytelling night, which hopefully reminded us of the necessity for everyone to have the right and space to share their stories—to fully be. -Garba Diallo, Director of Crossing Borders

We are excited to share that Crossing Borders and Union KBH will be hosting an Anti-racism Conference! Together, we will reflect on the progress made through the EU-funded Anti-racism and Civic Courage Training (ACCT) project and outline the way forward in combating intolerance, xenophobia and discrimination. Therefore, this conference will not only highlight the important initiatives underway but also serve as a platform for sharing best practices and strengthening our collective fight against racism.  The Anti-racism and Civic Courage Training (ACCT) is a comprehensive initiative designed to tackle racism and other forms of discrimination through an intersectional approach. The project focuses on providing both online and offline educational tools that empower participants to stand out against intolerance and foster a culture of civic courage. These trainings, conducted in collaboration with civil society organizations (such as Crossing Borders) have taken place across five countries, targeting both urban and rural areas.  The conference will feature a blend of keynote speeches, panel discussions and performances, where you will hear from experts on topics such as “Diversity as Anti-racism in the workplace” by Garba Diallo, the director of Crossing Borders, and “Intersectional Approaches to Social Sustainability” by Shayi Addean from Another life. Moreover, expect to engage in thoughtful discussions about critical topics such as the role of the arts in fighting racism and how grassroots movements can shape global anti-racist efforts, with insights from various organizations like Rapolitics, SOS Racism and Refugees Welcome. In addition, some performances will take place from powerful artists such as Zozo or Fire Raka.   Conference Schedule  14:00-14:10 – Arrival 14:10-14:15 – Welcome from Union KBH 14:15-14:30 – Introduction to the Conference and ACCT Project Results 14:30-14:45 – 1st Keynote: Diversity as Anti-Racism in the Workplace by Garba Diallo, Crossing Borders 14:45-15:00 – 2nd Keynote: Intersectional Approaches to Social Sustainability by Shayi Addean, Another Life 15:00-15:15 – Coffee Break and Snacks 15:15-15:30 – Dance Performances by Skole for Orientalsk Dans & Zozo 15:30-16:15 – Panel Discussion: Cultural Resilience: The Role of Arts in Deconstructing Racism 16:15-16:30 – Coffee Break and Snacks 16:30-16:45 – Theater Performance: Blinkered 16:45-17:30 – Panel Discussion: Grassroots to Global: Building Anti-Racist Movements 17:30-17:35 – Break 17:35-17:50 – Rap Performance by Fire Raka 17:50-18:00 – Closing and Thank You  For more information, reach out to Andrew Gibbons, Project Coordinator, at andrew.g@crossingborders.dk.  Hope to see you there for a thoughtful day surrounded by community-building and creativity! Don’t forget to book your free tickets. Book Now

Since 2022, when the war in Ukraine broke out, about 41,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Denmark, approximately 10,000 of whom are young people struggling with the uncertainty about their future, which for many is a significant challenge to navigate. However, many of these young people are also working hard to create a good youth life despite their background in war and insecurity, with help from, among others, Crossing Borders. Crossing Borders’ program ‘Empowering Ukrainian Youth’ helps ease the transition for Ukrainian youth from being refugees waiting for help to becoming hosts and co-creators in local meeting places as a foundation for integration into Danish society, including in schools, clubs, and various associations. The goal of the program is to create a safe space where everyone is welcome, and where connections to the surrounding local community are fostered. The idea for these local meeting places came from a workshop held by Crossing Borders in December 2023, where more than 50 young Ukrainians from across Denmark participated and expressed a strong desire to create meeting places that are inclusive of all cultures and nationalities. The initiative is starting in Aalborg, Aarhus, Odense, and Copenhagen, with the hope that it will eventually spread to more municipalities in Denmark. The Egmont Foundation supports Crossing Borders’ work to educate and empower young people across nationalities to become active citizens. Specifically, we are supporting Crossing Borders’ project ‘Empowering Ukrainian Youth’ over the next two years with 2 million DKK, so they can help even more young Ukrainians in Denmark through, among other things, workshops on well-being, culture, education, and the job market, thus supporting them in developing concrete life skills and building bridges to the local community.

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

On Thursday, the 19th of September, we had the opportunity to welcome another guest to share his story as part of the Food for Thought initiative by Crossing Borders in Copenhagen: Jesper Højberg. Jesper has had a fascinating journey, transitioning from journalism to consulting and eventually founding his own venture, IMS. In 1998, Jesper was sent to the Middle East by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and served as an advisor to the Ministry during the war in Yugoslavia. In the late 1990s, he returned to Denmark after working for the UN for four years in Africa, where he witnessed both the transition in South Africa and the genocide in Rwanda. By 2001, he was able to return to media and journalism, and simultaneously start IMS, a fledgling organization that received funding from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. IMS (International Media Support) is a non-profit organization focused on media development. It is the largest of its kind in the Nordics and works to strengthen media’s capacity to reduce conflict, promote democracy, and facilitate dialogue. Today, IMS, with Jesper as its Executive Director, operates in more than 30 countries across four continents, promoting press freedom, good journalism, and the safety of journalists. Currently, 200 people from 52 different nationalities work for IMS. For Jesper, impartial and honest information plays a vital role, and this is what IMS stands for. In his view, free media is essential for healthy societies. Journalism should present different perspectives and give a platform for diverse voices to be heard and empowered. He also believes that youth and civil society are key players in these processes and that building networks and friendships is incredibly useful. As journalists reproduce information, Jesper emphasizes the need for mutual trust with locals. He learned this firsthand in Kabul, where he realized that staying involved and showing commitment was essential to gaining the trust and respect of the local community. As an anthropologist, Jesper understands that deep involvement and presence are crucial—development cannot just be words. This is also why IMS includes local community members on its board. Another critical aspect for Jesper is staying true to his values—he strives to speak and act consistently. A thought-provoking question from the audience asked whether there is room for activism in journalism. Some Danish journalists argue that they cannot be activists and that there is no need for activism in Denmark. However, Jesper believes that we cannot ignore global realities. Instead, we should remain committed, seize small opportunities, and turn them into bigger ones to bring about change—like in the case of Zimbabwe’s commitment to free media and human rights. At the same time, Jesper is critical of the hypocrisy displayed by major powers in the international community. He points to Gaza, where more than 116 journalists have been killed, sometimes deliberately. He sees this as one reason why many countries turn to BRICS for collaboration instead of the West. Jesper is also concerned about how politics, media, and the military have merged, often driven by economic interests and aided by technology and AI, to manipulate public opinion. All of the above, according to Jesper, should keep us vigilant. We must remain involved and seek reliable sources of information, even though this is becoming increasingly difficult. However, through sharing stories, we can still access diverse perspectives. Written By: Angeliki Alexopoulou, Erasmus Young Entrepreneur