Refuge Worldwide Community Conversation

On the evening of Monday, August 4th, we invite you to Niemetzstrasse 1, for a facilitated group discussion about how we, as cultural workers, artists and activists, can continue to operate while staying in line with our values in the current climate in Germany. 

Especially for those showing public solidarity with Palestine, many of us find our access to public funds reduced or totally removed. At the same time, working with large-scale corporate partners almost always comes with ethical compromises. What other possibilities can we dream up together to continue to fuel Berlin’s vibrant cultural scene, while standing up for what we believe in, and meanwhile keeping the greatest focus of our organizing on Palestine and others who are most impacted?

Having recently received some feedback about our partnerships, we at Refuge would like for you to join us and discuss these issues together, because we know they are affecting so many of us.

What can you expect?

  • The evening will be hosted by an independent facilitator, Sarj from aequa.

  • We will provide some more transparency around Refuge's financial model and strategies to date, with room for clarifying questions. We will also share some hopes and plans for the station going forward.

  • We will hold space for guided group discussions about alternative funding models and ways of working, given the current set of challenges. 

  • We will have a town-hall style sharing, to hear from the different groups what sort of wisdoms they have come up with in discussions. Our hope is that by sharing our collective intelligence across many of us who work in arts and culture, we can help to support one another in the current situation.

Timings: 

  • 18:15 - doors open

  • 18:30 to 21:00 is facilitated discussion, with a short break in the middle 

  • 21:30 - doors close

As this meetup happens at dinner time for many of us, please feel encouraged to bring along your dinner, and/or some snacks to share with others! We’ll have a designated space for sharing food. 

For those who cannot make it, we will take anonymised notes of the meeting which can be received afterwards by email (please request this via hello@refugeworldwide.com).

Access information for the space is available here.