1st Meeting in Vienna

output of our 1st meeting in Vienna, 20 -21 October 2009

Participants: Anita Ramsak, Ekvilib Institut (Ljubljana); Miglena Molhova, Foundation for Development of the Cultural and Business Potential of Civil Society (Sofia); Torben Vosbein, SPOR Media (Kopenhagen); Erika Köchl, VIDC (Wien); Maros Fundarek, People against Racism (Bratislava); Ulrich Diermann, Institit equalita e.V. (Köln); Bettina Kocher, Ralf Classen, Büro für Kultur und Medienprojekte GmbH / KinderKulturKarawane (Hamburg)

• Introduction of partners organizations (see above) and special interest in this European cooperation
• Ralf Classen and Bettina Kocher introduce KinderKulturKarawane (Children's Cultural Caravan, CCC): Since 10 years cultural youth groups from Africa, Asia and Latin America visit Europe (up to now Germany, Denmark and Austria). The kids (between 12 and 20 years old) have in common, that they live in very underprivileged circumstances and that culture is a way to them to find new life perspectives and to build up new self-confidence. Cultural performances in European schools, theatres, cultural and youth centres create a space for deep exchange between kids of different cultures. Ulrich Diermann, Erika Köchl and Torben Vosbein add in their experiences with CCC. http://www.kinderkulturkarawane.de/
• The discussion that follows leads to the different situations in the participants countries regarding to migration/refugees/minorities/youth/acceptance of art as an educational tool
• That leads to the question: How can we handle/bundle/develop the different approaches? What are the common aims? Conclusio: we will develop examples of good practise (Miglena Molhova will send a form for presentation of good practice projects)
• Dates and places for the next meetings were discussed:
  Sofia: 12/13 April 2010
  Köln: End of June 2010
  Vienna: Evaluation together with members of CCC 2010 in October 2010
  Bratislava: End of January 2011
  Ljubljana: April 2011
  Hamburg: June 2011 (final evaluation)
• For practical experience the participants join a performance and discussion of Freedom Theatre from Palestine, a CCC Group performing at Dschungel Wien Youth Theatre