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Last night, we had the pleasure of welcoming journalist and communications expert Phillippa Maigaard Filtenborg for an inspiring evening of stories, insights, and meaningful dialogue as part of our monthly Food for Thought events. The conversation was moderated by our director, Garba Diallo. With a rich background in broadcast media and strategic communication, Phillippa brought a unique perspective shaped by her extensive work experience across both Danish and Greenlandic media landscapes. One of the evening’s highlights was a brief screening of Phillippa’s moment on stage with President Barack Obama during his visit to Denmark last year. She had the rare honour of moderating his presentation at the Næstved Arena. The audience was captivated by her interesting anecdotes from the event with Obama. Phillippa also spoke about her recent publication, a book exploring Greenland, which sparked a vibrant discussion about culture, representation, and the debates on colonial legacy, privileges and the role of the media regarding Greenland and the Arctic region. The talk naturally transitioned into an engaging Q&A session, where attendees commented and asked thoughtful questions and exchanged ideas with Phillippa in an open and lively atmosphere. The evening concluded with a delicious vegetarian dinner prepared by Send Flere Krydderier, a social enterprise restaurant known for its delicious Middle Eastern cuisine and community-driven mission. Sharing food and continuing conversations at the table rounded off the night with a sense of connection and shared curiosity.

As attendees settled into the welcoming space, Project Coordinator Margaret and Creative Coordinator Tanya opened the Crossing Borders General Assembly with warm greetings. The room was filled with energy as participants introduced themselves, representing a rich tapestry of nationalities, professions, and connections to the CB community. Dr. Phaedria took the stage alongside CB Director Garba Diallo to reflect on the highlights of 2024. Describing Crossing Borders as “the most diverse place in Denmark,” Dr. Phaedria emphasized the power of dialogue in the face of rising authoritarianism. Referencing dystopian literature like 1984 and The Handmaid’s Tale, she drew a compelling link between fiction and real-world threats, underscoring the urgent need for empowered communities and open dialogue. Garba followed with a thought-provoking speech on global inequality, climate change, and the fractured nature of international allyship. He praised CB’s commitment to “walking the talk”—from local youth-led school workshops to global partnerships in Uganda, Armenia, and Egypt. Projects like Food for Thought and Youth for Ukraine illustrate the organization’s mission to foster storytelling, cultural exchange, and youth empowerment across borders. The assembly then turned to updates on CB’s flagship initiatives. Project manager Mia Toftdahl, joined by facilitator Egle, presented the school workshops that engaged young people across Denmark with support from partners like Åbne Skole and Fredensborg Kommune. The YES project took Danish 8th graders to Ghana, sparking global awareness and cross-cultural learning. Tanya introduced Food for Thought, a storytelling platform that bridges communities through shared experiences. Margaret shared upcoming intercultural projects with the Anna Lindh Foundation, including a major 2025 event in Albania. Andrew presented the Migrantour Copenhagen, inviting participants to explore the city through migrant perspectives. Elisabeth followed with the Empowering Ukrainian Youth Project, supported by Egmont and SPARNORD, focused on integration, connection, and opportunity for displaced youth. On the EU front, ten dynamic projects wrapped up in 2024, covering topics from sustainable food systems to digital citizenship, anti-racism, and inclusion. Programs like Edu4Food and Earth Heroes will continue into 2025, as CB expands its focus on education, creativity, and impact. Garba also shared insights from CB’s global programme, including sustainability projects in Zimbabwe and Morocco, women’s empowerment in India, and SDG localization in Uganda. After a poetry and music interlude by Tina, he returned to present the 2024 financial report and the strategic priorities for 2025—emphasizing digital presence, funding, partnerships, and advocacy. The assembly concluded with board elections. In a surprise twist, Lili Juul-Lou withdrew her candidacy, turning the vote into a formal procedure. The newly elected board members for 2025 are: Karen Blincoe, Richard Walakira, Ellen Eide, Idongesit Williams, Samay Hamed, Gustav Eik Thur, Kannan P. Samy (Substitute), and Helene Guldborg (Substitute). Together, they will help steer Crossing Borders into another impactful year of fostering dialogue, diversity, and sustainable change—locally and globally. Written by Shani Schmidt, Intern at Crossing Borders

The atmosphere is set, the anticipation palpable, as distinguished guests gather for an inspiring evening hosted by Crossing Borders. DanChurchAid’s General Secretary, Jonas Nøddekær, stands ready to share his extraordinary journey. With a warm welcome and a thought-provoking introduction, he begins his storytelling, transporting the audience back to where it all started—his university years. In 2000, Nøddekær earned his diploma in Political Science from the University of Copenhagen. Little did he know that this academic milestone would be the foundation for a remarkable career dedicated to humanitarian service. With vivid anecdotes, he takes the audience on a journey across the globe, illustrating the profound impact of DanChurchAid’s work in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions. His stories are more than just tales of travel—they are powerful narratives of resilience, courage, and the transformative power of humanitarian aid. From disaster-stricken communities to conflict zones, Nøddekær sheds light on the human faces behind global crises. He recounts encounters with extraordinary individuals whose determination and bravery have left an indelible mark on his life and career. One of the most compelling moments of the evening is his reflection on the recent conflict in Ukraine. As Russia’s invasion unfolded, DanChurchAid swiftly mobilized to provide crucial support to Ukrainian citizens. Through acts of solidarity and resourceful humanitarian efforts, the organization played a vital role in helping the people of Ukraine stand against a superpower, embodying the true spirit of resilience and hope. Nøddekær’s journey is not just about his personal evolution but also about witnessing the expansion of democracy and humanitarian progress across foreign regions. His experiences paint a picture of an ever-changing world, where individuals and organizations can make a lasting impact. The evening concludes with an atmosphere of empowerment, leaving the audience inspired by the possibilities of global change and the power of crossing borders—not just physically, but in understanding, compassion, and action. Written by Shani Schmidt, Intern at Crossing Borders

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