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Ongoing Struggles. Anti-Discrimination Work during the Rise of the Far Right

Academic Conference (video recording the opening session available)

Black and white photograph of a group of Black Lives Matter demonstrators.

Photo: Roscoe Myrick, www.shotboxer.com, via Flickr [CC BY 2.0]

Right-wing populist movements dismiss equal opportunity and access to societal resources for marginalized communities at full throttle. Instead, they propagate giving preference to groups constructed as native, cementing systemic inequality, and reinforcing dynamics of institutional racism.

recording available

Map with all buildings that belong to the Jewish Museum Berlin. The W. M. Blumenthal Academy is marked in green

Where

W. M. Blumenthal Academy,
Klaus Mangold Auditorium
Fromet-und-Moses-Mendelssohn-Platz 1, 10969 Berlin (Opposite the Museum)

About the Conference

The conference Ongoing Struggles: Anti-Discrimination Work during the Rise of the Far Right examined developments both in Germany and in other countries and discussed possible counterstrategies: What are the most vital measures to counter structural discrimination and inequality today? What are the particular challenges faced by those active in civil society and politics? And what are the parallels between the German context and others, such as that of the Trump presidency in the USA?

Evening Event: Keynote, Comment, and Podium Discussion

Keynote: Imani Perry “What Lies Underneath: Difficult Histories and the Resurgence of The Far Right”

In her keynote speech, Professor Imani Perry (Princeton University) examined how ideologies that developed in the age of empire are central to the resurgence of the far right in the USA. Perry also presented the US-American Black Lives Matter movement and its struggles for equal rights and against racism. Afterwards, she discussed the contours of an effective equality policy with Juliane Seifert (State Secretary of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth), Dr. Emilia Roig (Center for Intersectional Justice, Berlin), and Dr. Aleksandra Lewicki (University of Sussex). Moderator: Christine Watty.

Video Recording of the Opening Session; 7 June 2018; Jewish Museum 2018

Program

Please note that the conference will be held at two different locations.

Thursday, 7 June 2018

Location:
W. Michael Blumenthal Academy, Jewish Museum Berlin, Hall
Fromet-und-Moses-Mendelssohn-Platz 1
10969 Berlin
7 pm

Welcome

Dr. Yasemin Shooman
Academy Programs of the Jewish Museum Berlin

7.10 pm

Keynote

What Lies Underneath: Difficult Histories and the Resurgence of The Far Right

Prof. Imani Perry
Princeton University

7.40 pm

Comment

Anchoring Anti-discrimination, Strengthening Cohesion - The Next Steps in Germany

Juliane Seifert
State Secretary of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth

7.50 pm

Panel Discussion

(Inter)national Anti-discrimination Work - Taking Stock and Looking Ahead

Juliane Seifert
State Secretary of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth

Prof. Imani Perry
Princeton University

Dr. Emilia Roig
Center for Intersectional Justice (CIJ)

Dr. Aleksandra Lewicki
University of Sussex

Moderator: Christine Watty
Journalist

9 pm

Conclusion of the Event

Black Lives Matter

More on Wikipedia

Professor Imani Perry

To the Princeton webseite

Friday, 8 June 2018

Location:
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
Hiroshimastraße 17, Haus 1
10785 Berlin
9 am

Welcome

Dr. Dietmar Molthagen
Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Forum Berlin

9.10 am

Discussion

Using Equal Rights to Fight the Right – Reports from the Real World

Effective anti-discrimination work targets structural inequality, raises public awareness, and creates a space for the self-empowerment of the affected people. Given the rightward shift in society, we must identify the new perspectives and the challenges that need to be overcome. What experiences are practical projects having? Where do they see the need for action?

Josephine Apraku
Institute for Discrimination-Free Education

Dilwar Hussain
New Horizons in British Islam

Markus Nierth
Former mayor of the city of Tröglitz

Nadiye Ünsal
Migration Council Berlin-Brandenburg e. V.

Moderator:
Dr. Dietmar Molthagen
Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Forum Berlin

The discussion will be held in English and German with simultaneous interpretation.

10.15 am

Morning Activities: Parallel Workshops

1) Strategic Litigation and Anti-Discrimination Lawsuits

Strategic anti-discrimination lawsuits aim for a progressive interpretation of the law, but how do they differ from other types of lawsuits? What impact have they had on anti-discrimination legislation in Europe so far? And how can an intersectional perspective enrich strategic litigation?

Introduction 1:
Dr. Nahed Samour
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Center for Intersectional Justice (CIJ)

Introduction 2:
Adam Weiss
European Roma Rights Centre

Moderator:
Prof. Dr. Nora Markard
Universität Hamburg

This workshop will be held in English.

2) Impetus from the LGBTI Movement – Building Anti-Discrimination Networks

The LGBTI movements have scored many successes in their fight for legal equality. How have they managed to gain acceptance and strengthen their position in mainstream society and the various minority communities? In what way can their experiences inspire other forms of anti-discrimination work?

Introduction 1:
Jörg Steinert
Lesbian and Gay Federation Berlin – Brandenburg (LSVD)

Introduction 2:
Jouanna Hassoun
Transaidency e. V.

Moderator:
Peggy Piesche
Generation Adefra

This workshop will be held in German.

3) Taking Anti-Discrimination Strategies to the Next Level

The current political climate raises the question of whether anti-discrimination work is particularly endangered today. Are new strategies necessary to fight structural inequality and racism? If so, which ones? Could it be that the rightward shift in society is creating new scope for the self-empowerment and equal participation of the marginalized groups, taking us beyond paternalistic approaches?

Introduction 1:
Miriam Aced
Center for Intersectional Justice (CIJ)

Introduction 2:
Julie Pascoet
European Network Against Racism (ENAR)

Moderator:
Cihan Sinanoglu
Turkish Community of Berlin (TGD)

This workshop will be held in English and German with simultaneous interpretation.

4) A Crash Course in Realpolitik

Political leaders are adopting and strengthening anti-discrimination legislation. How can anti-discriminatory action in civil society be translated into political action? And, conversely, how does the political discourse influence this work? What places of exchange and forms of cooperation between public authorities and civil society have proven successful?

Introduction 1:
Farhad Dilmaghani
Chair of DeutschPlus e. V.

Introduction 2:
Katarina Niewiedzial
Integration Commissioner in Pankow, Berlin

Moderator:
Paulina Fröhlich
Das Progressive Zentrum

This workshop will be held in German.

12 noon

Lunch

1 pm

Afternoon Activities: Parallel Workshops

Repetition of the Morning Workshops
1) Strategic Litigation and Anti-Discrimination Lawsuits
2) Impetus from the LGBTI Movement – Building Anti-Discrimination Networks
3) Taking Anti-Discrimination Strategies to the Next Level
4) A Crash Course in Realpolitik

2.45 pm

Coffee Break

3 pm

Commentary: What’s Next?

Bernhard Franke
Deputy Head, Federal Anti-Discrimination Office

3.15 pm

Final Discussion

Working Together for More Participatory Opportunities and Legal Equality: Next Steps

Bernhard Franke
Deputy Head, Federal Anti-Discrimination Office
Dr. Emilia Roig
Center for Intersectional Justice (CIJ)

Dr. Yasemin Shooman
Academy Program of the Jewish Museum Berlin

Moderator:
Dr. Dietmar Molthagen

Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Forum Berlin

The final discussion will be held in English and German with simultaneous interpretation.

4 pm

End of the conference

Partners

In collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation and the Center for Intersectional Justice (CIJ).

Friedrich Ebert Foundation

To the website (in German)

Center for Intersectional Justice

To the website

Where, when, what?

  • When 7 Jun 2018
  • Where W. M. Blumenthal Academy,
    Klaus Mangold Auditorium

    Fromet-und-Moses-Mendelssohn-Platz 1, 10969 Berlin
    (Opposite the Museum)

    See location on map

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