In today's current political climate, cultural
conflict and tensions are running high, causing friction between both nations
and individuals. In this global context, cultural understanding is a key factor
for both our total comprehensions of intercultural issues plaguing our society
as well as a path to eliminating prejudices and stereotypes. This is especially
important for Germany's youth as a generation of future leaders of our country.
Last week we kicked off our seventh annual "Bridging Cultures" event with the intention of breaking down the cultural differences in three different regions of the world: Latin America, Asia, and Africa. The students that participate in Bridging Cultures this year will spend two days discussing a wide variety of development challenges in these regions as well as making a connection between German culture and that of our Panamanian, Mosotho, and Indonesian trainers!
Trainer Paola Salas Paredes, a political scientist from Panama, is exploring the Panama Papers, political corruption, and the culture of the country's indigenous population with the students in her workshop. In a relaxed, discussion-based setting, the group questions what the path to democracy is and what makes a good leader. The second group addresses the complexities surrounding the transmission of HIV/AIDS and the stigma attached to the individuals living with it. In addition, the students are guided through a deeper conversation about hunger and poverty with trainer Mamolefi Teichmann, a Masters of International Business student from Lesotho. Trainer Defbry Margiansyah, a Masters of Global Studies student in Freiburg from Indonesia, led the final group in an in-depth discussion about the rising inequality in Indonesia as well as the fundamental challenges to ocean-based development.
"I hope this program raises the awareness as it was intended to raise and encourages the students to think about what they can do to contribute to solutions in the near future", says Mamolefi Teichmann about Bridging Cultures.
Besides the development challenges in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, the students had an open discussion about cultural differences and inequalities that can be seen in Germany and how to respond to them. While these topics can be serious and sometimes even intense to learn about, the students also had fun "bridging" the German culture with that of our Panamanian, Mosotho, and Indonesian trainers by sharing their perspective of the German culture as well as some typical German treats, such as Spekulatius! Though each breakout group mainly discussed country specific topics, the three groups also talked about how globalization and sustainable development goals tie into the specific development challenges they were learning about in the workshop. At the end of the day, everyone came together to share what they learned with their peers through for example creative (and hilarious!) skits and short movies.
04. May 2022
Malaria-Woche Berlin 2022: Ein Training für Körper und Geist
27. January 2022
Malaria: Your turn to run and discuss!
06. January 2022
Football for Life: Peace, Love and Football 2022
05. January 2022
Einblicke in unsere BC-Workshops: Möge dein Privileg deine Empathie nicht trüben
15. December 2021
Unser Geschenktipp für Weihnachten - Merry Brickmas!
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | »
