by Teresa Weikmann
"How can we be a part of Danish society?", asks Ahmad Al-Ali, a refugee from Syria at the beginning of the evening. It's only one of the tough questions raised during the debate - within a dazzling agenda. Among refugees from Ukraine, Syria, Lybia and Afghanistan, the non-profit organisation "Crossing Borders" invited experts as well as activists to talk about the Europe-wide refugee crisis. What emerged from that was an interactive evening that offered exchange and room for discussion. What's the solution in Syria? Removing Assad? How can we handle the increasing number of refugees? What is your personal contribution? Just some food for thoughts.
"Paris is the elephant in the room tonight" Nikolas Feith Tan's research is focused on human rights of asylum seekers in Europe, Australia and the US. He claims safe journeys for refugees and points out that last weeks' attacks in Paris changed the situation crucially. Social entrepreneurship student Saskia Kjellström from Sweden raises her voice during the discussion. Changing a Facebook profile-picture by layering it with the French flag doesn't feel right to her, considering worldwide attacks. Khalil Hamdouna (left on the picutre above), concerned about an increasing mistrust towards refugees, says: "It'll definitely be more difficult for us from now on."
"Nobody's coming here for fun" Khalil's future is uncertain. It's important to him that people don't feel sorry for him. He just wants to have a chance. "Nobody's coming here for fun. We leave our family and memories behind, travelling here on a 24 metre boat." He's touched by the support he's been experiencing. Still, living in the refugee centres is incredibly hard for him. Activists like Tanja Burke are one of the helping hands in Khalil's life. How Denmark is handling the situation in her opinion? "I'm not very impressed."
"I hope I reached everyone" Still, the language barrier is one of the biggest difficulties the refugees have to struggle with. Khalil is helping Ahmad with his English at the beginning. After the speech, Ahmad reveals: "I wanted to say so much more, but the language is holding me back. I hope I reached everyone." Olena Nedozhogina, who has been coming here from Ukraine, says: „Human suffering is universal. It happens. And you have to feel sympathy for the people to which it happens." The visitors of "Crossing Border's" event have probably sensed some of that sympathy during the evening. The stories and topics they shared are overwhelming. So is the effect that can emerge from such meetings.
