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Crossing Borders Statement

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

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An Evening of Insight and Unity with Charlotte Flindt

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

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Engaging Danish Schools in Development Work: Visit with Adventure Efterskolen 

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

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Free School Meals for a Greener World and Brighter Futures

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

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Diversity Workshop

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

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BRAND Eco-Fashion Toolkit

In today’s world, fast fashion has become the norm, with significant social and environmental implications. The rapid production and disposal of clothing contribute to pollution, waste, and poor working conditions in the fashion industry. The BRAND Project recognizes the urgency of addressing these issues and believes that informed and motivated young people can be catalysts for change.  Our initiative centers around educating and engaging young people. We aim to equip them with the knowledge and tools needed to make conscious fashion choices that prioritize sustainability and ethical practices. By raising awareness about the true cost of fast fashion, we inspire the youth to take action in their own lives and become advocates for a better fashion industry.  We are thrilled to unveil the Brand Eco-Fashion Toolkit, a powerful resource designed to empower young people to make eco-friendly fashion choices and contribute to a more sustainable fashion future.  Our toolkit is thoughtfully divided into two sections, each offering valuable insights and practical guidance:  Be Aware: a collection of useful information on the current fashion industry and sustainable alternatives.  Be Prepared: a compilation of activities young people can do to make sustainable fashion choices.  We invite you to check it out and dive into the wealth of information and activities waiting for you!  Click to Download

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A Memorable FFT with Morten Meldal

Food for Thought is a special event where we mix storytelling with dinner. It’s like bringing two different things together to make people feel close. The event held on September 14th featured a very special guest – Morten Meldal, a Danish chemist and Nobel laureate. His achievements and captivating storytelling made this event truly extraordinary.  Meldal is famous for his groundbreaking work in chemistry, particularly for developing the CuAAC-click reaction, a significant contribution to the world of organic synthesis. What’s even more amazing is that he achieved this milestone independently, showcasing true innovation.  As a new member of the Crossing Borders team, I eagerly took part in ensuring the event’s success, alongside my dedicated colleagues. Together, we worked diligently to make sure that everything was just right for the approximately 70 guests in attendance.  At the beginning of the event, we all had to stand up and say our names and where we came from. It was amazing to hear where everyone was from. There were so many different backgrounds, languages, and stories in the room. It made me feel really happy and connected to everyone. Even though I didn’t know many people there, it felt like I was part of a big family story before dinner.   The evening itself was a mix of intellectual enrichment and a warm atmosphere. Meldal shared his life story, including the challenges he faced on his path to winning a Nobel Prize. What truly stood out was his ability to inject humour into a serious topic, keeping the audience both informed and entertained.  One question from the audience struck a chord with me: “How did you keep going, even when it took so long to achieve something as significant as a Nobel Prize?” Meldal’s answer was simple but profoundly inspiring: “Just do it!” These words serve as a reminder that determination and persistence are the keys to achieving greatness.  After the talk, we all sat down to have dinner together. There’s always something special about sharing a meal with new people. It was a great way to end an evening full of interesting stories and ideas. I couldn’t help but reflect on the unique and inspiring experience I had just been a part of.   So, here’s to new adventures, learning from great people like Meldal, and remembering the motto: “Just do it!” Copenhagen is already beginning to feel like a second home, and I eagerly look forward to more adventures and opportunities in the days ahead.  Authored by Luka TsibadzeA little about me – I’m Luka from Georgia. I’m doing a year of volunteering through the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) in Crossing Borders and that’s part of my story. I am and have always had a passion for exploring new places. Landing in Copenhagen was the start of an adventure I won’t forget. Little did I know that one of the first days of the journey would lead me to an exceptional evening hosted by Crossing Borders.

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Afghanistan Conference Reflections

It was an honour for Crossing Borders to partner with the Danish Afghan women’s right organisation DAKDIF to organise a conference on the Taliban rule in Afghanistan. Entitled Two Years After the Take Over- Challenges and ways forward, the conference was held on July 30th, 2023, in Copenhagen. With some 60 participants from the Afghan Diaspora community, the event was led by two powerful women Tahmina Salik and Elaha Salik from the Danish-Afghan Diaspora Forum in Denmark. There were also Afghan speakers and participants from Austria, Switzerland, and other European countries plus two MPs from Denmark and the UN rapporteur Richard Bennet. Crossing Borders was represented by the Director Garba Diallo and Project Coordinator Giselle Masiera. In her keynote remarks on the unbearable challenges Afghan women face every day for the past two years, the Afghan human right activist Elaha Salik, put it eloquently: “Imagine living in a world where your every move is strictly controlled, and where your very existence is deemed a threat. This is the reality faced by countless Afghan women today. Just being who they are, they risk arrest, torture, and even execution. Their basic rights, such as freedom of movement, education, and the pursuit of happiness, have been snatched away”. Elaha Salik concluded her impactful speech by reminding the audience about the plight of Afghan women in the hands of the Taliban: “If we were in Afghanistan right now, we would have broken several laws today, just by being ourselves. I would have broken the following ones: Traveling without a male guardian Showing my face and figure in publicPassing through a park on my morning runGetting a haircut in a beauty salonListening to music And I even hugged a male friend – which would have been enough for us both to be stoned”. During the discussion and debate the issue which dominated the conference was to engage or not to engage with the Taliban. Some delegates argued that as long as the Taliban are the de facto rulers of the country, they need to be included in the dialogue toward a sustainable solution to the tragedy. However, other delegates counter argued that as long the Taliban continued their brutal war on women, they must be excluded. Hence, the sticking issue was not about the goal of liberating the country, but the approach visa-vis the Taliban. Fortunately, despite the different views, the conference participants agreed on the following recommendations: Engagement with the Taliban does not entail accepting their rule, instead, mechanisms must be put in place that rather discuss the rights of Afghan citizens Declaration of Afghanistan as a Neutral State: To ensure regional and global security, all relevant political stakeholders in Afghanistan should come together under the auspices of the United Nations to reach a consensus on declaring Afghanistan a neutral state. This status should be tied to the establishment of a political system that upholds democratic values, equal rights, food security, and economic stability. Concerted efforts should be made to counter extremist ideologies and discourage recruitment for future conflicts. Education and awareness programs should be promoted to undermine the influence of radical ideologies. Prioritizing Global Human Security: Afghanistan’s national interest is intrinsically tied to global human security, encompassing access to education, healthcare, equal rights, and food security. Efforts should be made to alleviate poverty and improve living conditions to prevent the perpetuation of radicalization and exploitation of vulnerable groups, especially women and children. Parallel Processes for Durable Peace: A lasting peace in Afghanistan requires simultaneous processes at both national and international levels. Nationally, there should be a consensus on the country’s political future, emphasizing inclusive governance and participation. Internationally, key stakeholders must collaborate to ensure regional stability and global security. Accountability in Aid Donations: Aid donors should create policies that prioritize accountability and transparency. Ground realities should be thoroughly understood and considered to lay the foundation for a healthy society where the rights of all individuals, including girls, women, minorities, and vulnerable groups, are protected, and promoted.

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Mandela Day

On the 18th of July 2023, six members from Crossing Borders – Furkan from Turkey, Giselle from Brazil, Anna from France, Karolina from the Czech Republic, Kateryna from Ukraine, and Tanya from India volunteered with the South African Embassy to help the Missionaries of Charity in Copenhagen for Mandela Day. On this symbolic date, the birthday of Nelson Mandela, kindness and generosity were requirements. The volunteers cooked different dishes and helped serve the food to 50 homeless people who came for a little comfort. Everybody also had the chance to taste the wonderful birthday cake to celebrate this day in honor of Nelson Mandela. Here are some words from our volunteers: Anna: I really enjoyed being a volunteer for Mandela Day, helping people in need by cooking and serving food for them. It reminded me of the importance of being good, generous, and showing solidarity towards people who need it the most. It was also very nice to peel vegetables, make salad, and prepare all kinds of dishes with CB members; it felt like a family! Tanya: Volunteering at the Missionaries of Charity for Mandela Day was a truly humbling experience. It allowed me to feel grateful for what I have while also acknowledging the responsibility to help those less fortunate. I enjoyed being actively involved on the other side of the kitchen – preparing, serving, and assisting. It was heartwarming to witness the impact of our efforts in brightening the day for those we served. The day served as a reminder that we can all contribute to making the world a more compassionate and caring place. Giselle: Helping to cook, serve, and talk to homeless people in Copenhagen on Mandela Day 2023 gave me different feelings. Of course, I felt good to help and cooperate with an organization that feeds vulnerable people in Copenhagen. Also, I enjoyed seeing the Crossing Borders team working in beautiful synergy with the South African Embassy team to spread Mandela’s legacy of making a positive impact in our community, and we impacted the lives of the people we cared for that day. As Mandela Day is also a day of reflection, I hope for better days for all nations where no one suffers from basic needs, and I wish we find “AMOR” wherever we go. Kateryna: I am delighted to be a part of the Mandela Day organization for the second year now. Working alongside the team has been a joy as we efficiently and swiftly handled all the preparations in the kitchen for those in need. The venue, our team, and the visitors served as a heartwarming reminder of the significance of compassion and benevolence in our world. Furkan: It was a great opportunity to volunteer at the event to help people in need by cooking and serving food with my colleagues and people from the South African Embassy on a special day such as Mandela Day. Also, cooking for more than 50 people was something I haven’t tried before. I enjoyed my time in the kitchen during the preparation phase. The highlight of the day, for me, was the moment I served the food and received a simple “thank you” with a smile. At the end of the day, I left the place with a feeling of relief by knowing I have done something good for the society I have been living in for almost a year.

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Couleur Café Festival 2023 

Held on 10 June 2023 at the Union Cultural House, the Couleur Café festival aims to raise awareness about, showcase and celebrate African culture in Copenhagen through performance arts, expos, music and food.  Crossing Borders had the privilege to pitch a stand with educational materials. CB was represented by a strong team of 7 members from 7 countries comprising Brazil, Denmark/Cameroon, France, Lebanon, Turkey, Global and India. The purpose of being part of the event was to promote CB School Workshops, the Migrantour and Food For Thought.  Between the sound of the tambourines, the outstanding African dances, colourful booths, the smell of the delicious food, the CB team invited participants to learn more about our organisation and support us in our projects. We did a Coffee & Climate Quiz and a manual activity to engage people, consisting of leftover filter coffee mixed with olive oil to rub hands to raise awareness about food waste and how to use leftover coffee to protect, heal and keep our hands soft and elegant.   I personally really enjoyed being part of this event. It was a truly nice day with great music and food. The performances were impressive and captivating. We promoted our projects to the participants in a fun way. It was nice to experience this event with CB team! I will remember the moment where all the children gathered to dance and listen to kids’ songs, so cute. I also really liked taking part in organising the event, very enriching.  Let’s take a look at other CB members perceptions about the event:  Giselle: Diversity, culture and good vibes surrounded the Union Building in Copenhagen during the vibrant Couleur Café event on the second Saturday in June 2023. Inspired by the name of the event, Crossing Borders team members devised fun climate action activities to engage the event audience and raise awareness on how climate change seriously affects coffee plantations in tropical countries. In addition, participants left the event with soft hands after massaging their hands with coffee scrub made with leftover ground coffee, giving it a second chance to be used in a sustainable and fun way.   Furkan: Through Crossing Borders, being a part of Couleur Cafe 2023 was a great opportunity for us to promote CB works, projects, and events. Also, listening to African music with cultural dances, tasting traditional foods, and seeing handcrafts from all around Africa was a remarkable experience. For me, the highlight of the event was the activity we made with coffee leftovers. I learned a very useful method to make my hands soft by scrubbing my hands with these leftovers.  Tanya: With an incredibly sunny day and good vibes, Couleur Café proved to be a delightful experience. I enjoyed the opportunity to strategize for the event and engage in brainstorming sessions with the entire team to plan marketing activities. My personal highlight of the event, however, was the amazing food I got to taste that was infused with Jamaican flavours!  Aman: Couleur Café made us travel to Africa through good music, captivating dance, delicious street food and amazing performance art! The CB stand was at a strategically located spot to promote our programmes in Denmark and projects. We used fun methods like quizzes and friendly competition to engage and promote to our Food for Thought, School Workshops and Migrantour. My favourite moment: seeing the participants and the CB members dancing to the rhythm of the drums!   Christoffer: The event was great for talking to people about our Food For Thought and School Workshop events, everyone I talked to was interested in our work. The music performances were also really nice to watch together with other CB members. Would definitely attend again!   Maryam: It was a very festive event with lots of colours and good energy. The music and dances were cultural and new to me, which I enjoyed very much! There was great food, long lines but still worth the wait!  Written by Anna Bonenfant, Intern at Crossing Borders

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