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Journalism for Change: Jesper Højberg’s Journey with IMS #FoodForThought

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

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Food For Thought with Dr. Deborah Dunsire – Buy your ticket now

October 6th at 17.00 – at Union (Nørre Allé 7, 2200 København N) Named Woman of the Year, Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association, 2009; recipient Rising Star award, Health Care Business Women’s Association, 2000, Excalibur Award, American Cancer Society, 2001, Corporate Leadership award, Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), 2009, Creative Spirit award, Creative Center for Women. Meet Dr. Deborah Dunsire, our next guest speaker to Food for Thought. Dr. Deborah Dunsire is currently the President & CEO of Lundbeck, a global pharmaceutical company specializing in developing innovative treatments for brain diseases. She has more than 30 years of clinical, commercial, and international management experience in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry, primarily in the fields of oncology and CNS. On a personal note, Dr. Dunsire was born in Zimbabwe and raised in South Africa, where she graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand in 1985 and received her training as a medical doctor. Apart from working in South Africa, she has also worked in the USA and Switzerland, before coming to Denmark in 2018 to join Lundbeck; given her a strong cross-cultural and a global mindset, and making her a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion. On October 6th, we will have the honor to welcome Dr. Deborah Dunsire to Food for Thought where she will share her life story and the experiences and challenges that formed the person she is today. We look forward to seeing all of you on our first Food For Thought in our new place at Union, Nørre Allé 7. Practical Information:  The event will start at 17.00 and will an hour maximum with Q&A. At 18.00, the dinner will be served by the kitchen “Send Flere Krydderier – SOCIAL ECONOMIC RESTAURANTS AND CATERING WITH GREAT LOVE FOR SPICES AND CUISINES OF THE WORLD“ Tickets sales end date is October 4th – The kitchen needs to know the amount of food they have to cook, and to avoid food waste, your confirmation is very important The event is organized by Crossing Borders and in collaboration with Union huset.  About Food For Thought: Food For Thought provides an exciting space for people from different backgrounds to share their life stories. We want to enable people to learn from and be inspired by each other’s life experiences through storytelling in a safe, stimulating and inclusive social environment, with a delicious dinners. Know more about the Food For Thought concept    Get your ticket now:

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Apply Now – 7 days training course in Romania

The training will take place from 29 June – 7th of July 2022 , in Oradea, Romania Peace with Me is a 7-day training course which aims to support a network of youth workers that promote a preventive approach on conflicts and violence among their beneficiaries. We see this project as a follow-up initiative which creates added value for the participants in terms of a deeper understanding of violence and a strengthened international cooperation in this field. The methodology prepared involves three dimensions of the learning process: acquiring knowledge, practical experience and reflective evaluation. Encouraging systemic thinking, the process will propose three perspectives of understanding violence: visualizing its complexity, verbalizing and expressing its complexity, and exploring the reality of the topic in many aspects. Expect to have an intense working week with a wide range of methods, from research-based tasks to fully artistic sessions, guided in a safe learning space What you need to know? The training will be from November 29th of June until the 7th of July in Oradea, Romania.  Travelling costs are covered due to the Erasmus+ KA1 rules: 275 EUR for each non-RO participant. You have to buy your own tickets and we will reimburse you after the training is being completed. Before booking your transportation, please ask for our confirmation. We may not be charged with any travel costs that are not confirmed by us. Given the volatility of the international regulations, please consider flexible or refundable transportation options. Romania is considered a yellow country in terms of COVID-19 protocols, therefore we can accept exclusively participants with valid green certificate. The project will cover 100% of accommodation and material costs during the training course. To apply you will need to become a member of Crossing Borders, pay membership and pay 500 DKK for administrative fees. To apply, you have to be living in Denmark Location: we will stay in a rural area named Bicăcel (Lăzăreni), în Bihor County , 30 km away from Oradea, the main city nearby. We will be hosted in wooden houses + another building, with 2-3-4 beds in one room (single person beds). Each house is equipped with one bathroom and all needed facilities. Application Deadline: June 20, 2022 at 23.00 Objective of this training: • Equipping 24 youth workers with relevant competences for understanding and preventing the occurrence of interpersonal conflicts generated by abusive and violent behavioral patterns • Incorporating in the participants’ work a preventive approach against violence manifestations by creating a personalized plan to fit each organization  • A better understanding for the participants of the principles and benefits of using holistic facilitation as a working principle; • Strengthen the cooperation between the partner organizations by creating an international network of youth workers motivated to initiate new actions connected with this topic. Are you interested? Apply Now How the training will look like? Who is the project for? The project is designed for youth workers, volunteers and other people who work with people with fewer opportunities on a daily basis. We designed a methodology which is helpful for workers who are active in the field of youth, education, social services, public services, religious based organizations or any other entity that is engaged with youngsters. We expect to have a group of participants who are eager to transfer the methodology in a practical way in their groups of youngsters and also to promote the concept of preventive education in their daily work. We will work on the transferability of the results during the whole week. Each participant will prepare a homework before attending the event. We strongly encourage the sharing dimension of the learning process, so be ready to bring with you real examples from your work. The minimum age limit is 18, without any other limitation. A good command of English is desirable, but not compulsory. We aim to have an overall number of 26 participants from Romania, Latvia, Estonia, Denmark, Turkey, Macedonia and the UK. Are you interested? Apply Now You have a question? write to us Write to the project coordinator Catherine Namuswe on catherine@crossingborders.dkfor any questions you have. 

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Crossing Borders Statement on the Russian government Invasion of Ukraine

Crossing Borders Statement on the Russian government Invasion of Ukraine At Crossing Borders, our mission is to work towards a peaceful world. For this reason, we are both saddened and shocked to see tanks rolling into the Ukrainian cities where our friends, project partners, former students, and colleagues live with their families.  As the late Desmond Tutu rightly put it, “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor”. Therefore, we are not neutral in the face of this violent aggression: We strongly condemn the Russian government’s invasion and aggression against Ukraine.  Our thoughts, love, and solidarity go to our Ukrainian friends and colleagues and all the peace-loving people of Ukraine. As a human rights-based organisation with global outreach, we urge all our civil society partners in Denmark and around the world, to not only continue their existing partnership projects in Ukraine but to strengthen, expand and sustain their engagements in the country to a maximum extent. Friends in need are friends indeed. Let us join forces, speak up, host events, and support our Ukrainian friends in creating spaces for protecting and expanding their peaceful resistance and resilience, when and where possible.      May peace be in Ukraine   Crossing Borders Director, Garba Diallo

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March 08 – Celebrating the International Women’s Day

March 08 – from 14.00 – 17.00 Studenterhuset: Købmagergade 52 – 1150 København K March 8th marks the International Women’s Day. Like every year, this year we are honoured to celebrate this day.Together with the Anna Lindh Foundation’s Network in Denmark, Crossing Borders wants to highlight the Women on the move across the Euromed Cultures and Identities, Challenges and OpportunitiesFor the occasion, we have invited 8 prominent women’s rights campaigners from across the region to share their lived experiences and perspectives through spoken words, poetry, songs, drums, and art performance.We will share the detailed program and introduce the speakers shortly – Stay tuned! This event is organized by the Danish Anna Lindh Foundation (ALF) Network whose mission is to promote intercultural contact, dialogue and collaboration across the Euro-Mediterranean. The network is therefore for all persons, organizations and schools with an interest in the regions. Crossing Borders’ role is the Head of the ALF Network in Denmark and is responsible for promoting the interests of the network and working towards creating synergies for our members with interests in the Euro-Med Please take a moment and register if you are attending. This will help us have an overview. Other events Up-Coming Events March 03: Food For Thought with Natasha Al-Hariri February 24, 2022 Don’t miss CB news Partners meeting in Accra, Ghana – Localising the SDGs February 25, 2022 Crossing Borders Blog Human Rights, Climate Refugees and Third-Culture Child! Key words from the FFT with Yasmin Abdel-Hak February 18, 2022 Project Result Infographics – 4 project results that will help migrant’s startups February 7, 2022 CB news Building more Democracy Hubs in Ukraine February 3, 2022

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March 03: Food For Thought with Natasha Al-Hariri

March 03, 2022 at 17.00 Ubuntu Huset – Købmagergade 43, 1150 København K Book your seat   Next on Food For Thought! Natasha Al-Hariri, Director of DFUNK – Danish Refugee Council Youth. Natasha Al-Hariri has become one of the faces of minority women’s struggle for justice. In the public debate, she discusses topics such as integration, Islam, and gender equality – not because she necessarily wants to, but because she believes it is important. Even though it has led to hatred and threats against her and her family. Natasha has appeared, been portrayed, and featured in several newspapers, radio, and TV broadcasts in many contexts, which, however, are usually always connected to the debate on the integration of immigrants. She is declared a feminist and has marked herself as a clear voice in the Muslim gender struggle. Al-Hariri wanted to use her personal experience to change the immigration system and integration policy. She therefore also ended up specializing in immigration law and human rights. On March 3rd, Natasha will be here with us on Food for Thought to tell us about her story and how she ended up doing what she is doing. Natasha will also talk about the current situation when it comes to integration in Denmark, and what has gone wrong?   Book your seat   Did you know if you are a member of Crossing Borders you come for free? It is not too late, Become a member now What is the Food For Thought? Food For Thought provides an exciting space for people from different backgrounds to share their life stories. We want to enable people to learn from and be inspired by each other’s life experiences through storytelling in a safe, stimulating, and inclusive social environment, with delicious dinners. Know more here Don’t miss: Project Result Infographics – 4 project results that will help migrant’s startups February 7, 2022 CB news Building more Democracy Hubs in Ukraine February 3, 2022 Up-Coming Events Food For Thought with Mille Rode February 1, 2022 Project Result Infographics – Equal Rights for Women and Girls in Zambia – Project results January 17, 2022 Contact us if you have any questions Name * Email * Phone Message * Submit

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Food For Thought!

Telling Stories Through Food At Crossing Borders, we believe that stories are best conveyed over good food. Therefore, This workshop is aimed at educating students about the United Nations sustainable development goals three and twelve, health and well- being, and responsible production and consumption, through the art of cooking. These workshops will be facilitated in part by guest chefs who will share their stories and knowledge about responsible consumption and production, zero waste, ECO entrepreneurship, global nutrition, and health and well being, as mentioned above. Good Health and Well-Being In this workshop, students will learn about the importance of eating healthy and how this contributes to good health and well being, both mental and physical. During the workshop, a demonstration of how to make healthy and easy meals will take place in which guest chefs will prepare a dish that both reflects their culture as well as the SDG number three. Sustainability in our Everyday Lives Another aspect of this workshop comes from SDG number twelve, responsible consumption and production. During the workshop, we will examine how to cook sustainable meals that come from responsibly sourced products, as well as how to shop for sustainable items and what to look for on packaging to ensure it is sustainably produced. This workshop comes with plenty of opportunities and activities to keep the students engaged and actively participating while tasting amazing food at the same time. *This is a limited workshop (coming to an end in May 2021) and therefore the amount of these workshops available are on a first-come-first-served basis. SUGGESTED SUBJECTS: Social science, Economics, History, Geography, and English

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INTERSECTIONAL FEMINISM

Intersectionality An intersectional approach shows the way that people’s social identities can overlap, creating compounding experiences of discrimination. Many women identify themselves as feminists, however, their experiences as women in society are very different based on their background. All inequality is not created equal. This workshop will provide your students with an understanding of how different women fight for equality and that there are different experiences women go through based on their identity. Feminism Feminism is about advocating for women’s rights and equality between the sexes. Intersectional feminism is about understanding how women’s overlapping identities, including race, class, religion, and sexual orientation impact the way they experience oppression, discrimination, how they view and understand feminism. Different understandings and experiences of Feminism Women all have a common experience of inequality and discrimination, due to their gender. However, a white woman is penalised by her gender but has the advantage of race. A black woman is disadvantaged by her gender and her race. A Muslim woman experiences discrimination because of her religion, her gender, her race, and her religion. This workshop shares the perspectives and realities of a variety of women who are all fighting the same battle for women’s rights but have a lot of different experiences and obstacles due to the intersectionality of their identities. Learning Methods The aim of this workshop is to highlight the fact that women have different issues in their fight for women’s rights due to their background. This workshop will utilise, storytelling, thinking exercises, and the privilege walk exercises to demonstrate that. Suggested Subjects English, Social Science, and Danish.   SUGGESTED SUBJECTS: English, Social Science, History, and Danish

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CLIMATE EMERGENCY: SOLUTIONS, ACTION!

Defining the Problem For most young people, we have moved past the question of whether we find ourselves in an ecological and climate emergency or not, and onto the question of how we fix it. However, in an increasingly globalized world, finding solutions can be difficult and distant. In this workshop, we will make this topic more accessible and concrete. Together with students we will  explore  possible  solutions  on  how   to   take  an   action,  and   make  a   difference   in the students’ own lives, in their local environment, and in the world. Meet real-life Clima-Activists The students will get the opportunity to meet real-life climate activists and green- entrepreneurs, and listen to their stories of how they found a way to make a change in their local environment. In this process, the students will be able to question, explore, and gain the basic tools of how to begin the process of including an environmental perspective in their lives,   whether they are eager to become a climate activist, entrepreneur, or something  else. They will learn how they can make a difference, and why that difference matters. Practical Activities The workshop will also dive into some of the complexities and critiques of the climate change movement, Denmark’s role in the crisis, and various possible solutions. These will be explored through the methods of group work, quizzes, debate, dilemma games, and role- play. SUGGESTED SUBJECTS: Social science, Economics, History, Geography, and English

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