We live in a system that in their assumptions often opposes the reality of life - the diversity of genders. Worldwide, we can observe a process of polarization, which is also taking place in relation to the issues of feminism, the concept of sociocultural gender or sexual orientation. Structural discrimination against women or those who are not heteronormative is increasing. To counteract existing structures, it is important to be aware of them and their consequences. The greater the exchange with different people, the greater the awareness of the limits we reach with our normative perspectives.
Within the framework of the four-day online training "Social Justice and Diversity", about 30 actors from Germany and Poland participated from 28th of January to 16th of February. The training was led by Social Justice and Diversity founders and trainers Leah Carola Czollek and Gudrun Perko and simultaneously translated by interpreters. The focus was on the topics of socio-cultural gender, non-heteronormativity and (hetero)sexism. The project was designed for people from the field of education, activists, multipliers of German-Polish youth work and civil society actors from Poland and Germany who wanted to exchange information about current events in Poland and Germany and get to know the concept of "Social Justice and Diversity". The project was financed by the German-Polish Youth Office.
The anti-discrimination training "Social Justice and Diversity" advocates for a plural democracy and a democratic constitutional state and aims to promote equal participation and involvement of all groups and individuals in society (social justice as recognition, distribution, realization and empowerment justice). The concept deals with structural discrimination and its characteristics such as social exclusion, violence, exploitation, discusses and develops alternative approaches to deal with the diversity of people (diversity).
During these four days, a space of dialogue and empowerment emerged between the approximately 30 screens. The digital encounter quickly developed into a lively and respectful exchange, in which the discrimination-critical concept of social justice and diversity was first conveyed, then questions of understanding were asked and exchanged, and towards the end the participants jointly considered strategies for action that promote a plural democracy across borders.
If you want to know more about the Institute for Social Justice and Radical Diversity: Institute for Social Justice & Radical Diversity.