Crossing Borders (CB) is a non-profit, impartial civil society organization dedicated to fostering a world where diversity is celebrated and people coexist peacefully. The organization’s mission is to create spaces for dialogue and to build the capacities of youth, educators, and media professionals to promote intercultural understanding and social cohesion. The primary goal of CB is to equip individuals from diverse backgrounds with the skills to live together under equal conditions.
Originally established as a project in Denmark in 1999, CB aimed to facilitate meaningful dialogue between conflicting parties in the Middle East. In response to increased demand and activity, CB transitioned into a dynamic organization in 2004, expanding its operations both in Denmark and internationally. Today, the organization implements a range of programs that empower youth and promote global citizenship.
CB’s core activities are structured into four key programs:
- School Workshops: These bring global perspectives into primary and secondary school classrooms in Denmark through international youth facilitators who share real-life stories and experiences.
- Global Højskole: A program designed for youth leaders worldwide to learn about globalization and its challenges.
- International Projects: Focusing on youth engagement in public and global affairs, these projects provide platforms for active participation.
- Volunteer Program: Enabling young people to gain valuable experiences and engage in active citizenship.
Additional initiatives include storytelling events held twice a month, conferences for educators on pressing global issues, and the publication of educational materials, youth magazines, and newsletters.
Engagement with Migrants
CB actively addresses contemporary global challenges, including migration. Many of its activities, such as school workshops, international projects, and volunteer programs, directly impact migrants by fostering dialogue and understanding across different cultures and backgrounds. Many international youth facilitators involved in CB’s programs are migrants or come from countries with high migration rates, offering Danish youth firsthand exposure to migration experiences.
The organization partners with various stakeholders, including municipalities, secondary schools, universities, international civil society organizations, public funding bodies, and global financial partners, to support its mission. In recognition of its contributions to peace dialogue, CB received a special mention for the Euro Mediterranean Award for Intercultural Dialogue in 2006 from the Anna Lindh Foundation and Fondazione Mediterraneo.
CB’s structure includes an international advisory board, an executive board, a secretariat led by a director, program coordinators, a communications team, and approximately 20 volunteers and interns from around the world.
Youth Work Experience and Activities
CB has a long history of youth engagement, reflected in its diverse range of programs and activities. Through school workshops, international projects, and volunteer initiatives, CB actively collaborates with youth from different cultural backgrounds. A strong emphasis on intercultural learning and inclusion allows young people to develop mutual understanding and respect in an increasingly interconnected world.
Through Global Højskole, CB offers young leaders a unique opportunity to expand their knowledge on globalization and its societal impacts. Additionally, workshops and teacher conferences highlight CB’s dedication to education and raising awareness of global issues.
CB also recognizes the critical role migrants play in modern society. Its programs and activities foster dialogue and mutual understanding between migrants and local communities.
Regular Youth Work Activities at the Local Level
At the local level, CB implements various youth-focused activities:
- School Workshops: These provide students with firsthand narratives from international youth facilitators, many of whom have migration backgrounds. This approach bridges local students with global perspectives and enhances intercultural understanding.
- Volunteer Program: CB’s volunteer program enables young people to gain practical experience, develop active citizenship skills, and engage with diverse cultures.
- Storytelling Events and Publications: CB regularly organizes storytelling events and publishes youth magazines that serve as platforms for young people to express their experiences, opinions, and perspectives on global issues.
- Partnerships and Networking: CB collaborates with municipalities, schools, universities, and other organizations to expand its youth initiatives both in Denmark and internationally.
Activities Related to Migration
CB actively addresses migration-related challenges through several initiatives:
- Intercultural Workshops: International youth facilitators, many of whom are migrants or from migrant-heavy countries, share their personal stories with students, fostering greater awareness and empathy towards migration experiences.
- Inclusion Programs: CB participates in projects that promote the integration of migrants into Danish society, providing them with tools and knowledge for smoother adaptation while encouraging intercultural dialogue.
- Anti-Hate Speech Initiatives: CB develops strategies and resources to combat hate speech, particularly against migrants. The organization recognizes that hate speech can escalate into structural, cultural, and physical violence, and actively works to counteract it.
- Migration-Focused Partnerships: CB collaborates with local authorities, schools, universities, and NGOs to develop and implement migration-support programs that facilitate smoother integration for migrants.
- Educational Materials on Migration: CB produces and distributes publications that explore migration issues, fostering understanding and discussion on migration-related challenges and opportunities.
- Youth Exchange Programs: CB organizes international youth exchanges where participants from different countries, including those with high migration rates, come to Denmark to share experiences and perspectives with Danish youth.
Through these initiatives and broader intercultural efforts, CB actively supports migrants and fosters a society that values diversity, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence.
