Creating Space for Encounters and Exchange between Germans and Non-Germans
Saxony generally, but Dresden specifically, faces a considerable challenge at present:
few non-Germans live here. At least so it seems, as many people in the region don’t personally know any foreigners, yet fear or disdain them. And, fear breeds conflict.
Spuren e.V. has five solutions: an Israeli Jew, a Mideast Muslim, a Malaysian Buddhist, a native Navajo and a Midwest Quaker.
Michael Luick-Thrams and his associates facilitate workshops, Words between Worlds.
They bring young people into direct contact with foreigners living in Germany. And, they offer pupils and their families a relaxed, non-polemical space where they can share their own stories with others.
Words between Worlds focuses not on the abstract or political but on the immediate and personal. Its co-facilitators believe that while we all live in a neighborhood, each of us first lives in a house: To make conscious our belief-driven behaviors, then confront and finally change them, we best begin at home. Thus, participants are invited to examine their origins and lives, and those of their families.
Words between Worlds is:
- an enriching experience for 9th– to 12th-grade pupils and, if hosts wish, their families
- built around a core 90-min. Power-Point-illustrated presentation for schools, churches, etc.
- able to be tailored to fit each host’s needs, conditions and resources. A visit to a school can take place as a one-time assembly, or as half-, full-day or weekend workshops, using diverse means. Depending on the audience, its main working languages can be German or English.
For more information see the related brochure; to apply to host or attend a workshop, contact staff@TRACES.org.
Thank you for your interest!