https://www.acctforchange.eu/train-the-trainers-a-transformative-experience-in-berlin/
My name is Bikalpa and
I originally come from Nepal but am currently living in Copenhagen, Denmark.
This month, from January 10th to 13th, I had
the opportunity to participate in Train the
Trainers workshop in Berlin, Germany, to learn how to facilitate the Anti-Racism
and Civic Courage Training (ACCT). This event brought together a
diverse group of individuals from the ACCT project partners
organizations from five EU countries. I
was participating on behalf of Crossing Borders (Denmark) along
with my colleagues Andrew (USA/Italy),
Maryam (Lebanon/Denmark) and Margaret (Egypt).
In the ‘Train the Trainers’ event, we dove headfirst into the
ACCT Curriculum, a dynamic guide designed to fight discrimination and bolster
civic courage. The aim? To turn us into skilled facilitators, ready to adapt
these powerful anti-racism tools to our local communities.
Our days flew by while participating in engaging non-formal
learning methods – think interactive games, group activities, and lively
discussions that knit us into a tight-knit community, all committed to
dismantling racism. It was more than just learning; it was experiencing the
complex layers of racism, from ingrained prejudices to breaking down the works
of systemic oppression.
But it wasn’t all about recognizing the problem. A big part of
our journey was understanding civic courage – the guts to stand up against
injustice. We delved into the importance of raising our voices, having tough
conversations, and championing equality and inclusivity. This training wasn’t
just about acquiring skills; it was about sparking a change in us and,
hopefully, in our communities
Here I will be sharing some highlight of each day and some
activities that we conducted during the workshop:
Day 1
Suna, from Perspekt Initiative, welcomed all the participants
and kicked off the workshop with introductions as soon as everyone arrived.
Later, participants collaborated to establish workshop guidelines, among the
workshop guidelines was to use ‘I’ in a personal perspective, so I am using ‘I’
while giving my opinion in this blog post.
After setting up the guidelines, we dove into the workshop
activities, starting with the “Crossing the Lines” method. This was followed by
other engaging methods like “Exploring Intention and Effect,” “Reality Show,”
and the “Dice Game.” These activities allowed us to explore and discuss
different situations related to discrimination, shedding light on individual,
structural, and institutional forms of bias. The games were eye-opening,
emphasizing that discrimination can occur unintentionally, making it crucial to
be mindful of the impact of our words and actions on others. I truly enjoyed
participating in each game. Additionally, we worked in groups to deepen our
understanding of anti-racism concepts and definitions.
Day 2
The weather in Berlin was colder than the previous day as we
arrived at the training venue. With over 20 participants from different
countries, we kicked off the day with introductions once again, given the
challenge of remembering everyone’s names. Following some energizing exercises,
we delved into the workshop with an introduction to a concept called “Theatre
of the Oppressed.” Methods like “Columbian Hypnosis,” “Forum Theatre,” and
other energizer activities encouraged us to discuss situations where we had
experienced acts of discrimination. While presenting each group also chose one
situation to turn into a play, reflecting and re-enacting our experiences to
overcome negativity and explore alternative actions. The presentation occurred
twice: once without intervention and a second time with viewers having the
chance to and replace characters, giving a new twist to the situation. This
allowed disempowering situations to transform into empowerment and healing,
making it a day of valuable learning about power, control, discrimination,
racism on different sector and ways to overcome it.
Day 3
Our Airbnb in Berlin was a 20-minute walk from the workshop
venue. The streets were slippery due to the cold and light rain. We started Day
3 with a short energizer and began the workshop with the “Railway Reflections”
method. This was followed by other methods such as “Stop Rumours,” “Civic
Courage Styles,” and “Digital Civic Courage Styles.” The activities on Day 3
focused on encouraging reflection on underlying prejudices and implicit bias
while promoting anti-racist interventions. We also discussed in group about
rumours, fake news, and stereotypes, learning strategies to dismantle them. The
third day of workshop introduced us to various civic courage styles. The
trainers also encouraged us to take the first step against racism and
discrimination within our networks, as a sample awareness post all the
participant organization created a post and published in their respective
organization’s social media page.
The Site Visit
Our ACCT training
continued with a site visit to the office of the Association for
Anti-Discrimination and Educational Work (Bund für
Antidiskriminierungs- und Bildungsarbeit), This non-profit organization has been
dedicated to providing counseling and training in anti-discrimination and
anti-racism since 1996, offering support to those affected by discrimination on
various grounds.
Led by the Director and Counsellor, we engaged in a profound and
informative session that shed light on the complex realities of discrimination
in Germany and beyond. They emphasized the importance of recognizing
racism as a complex issue intertwined with social power structures and its
intersection with other forms of discrimination. Their presentation highlighted
the organization’s efforts to overcome exclusion, discrimination, and
counteract all forms of racism. They shared their strategies for empowering
individuals to challenge discriminatory practices and advocate for equal
opportunities.
It was a fruitful experience, filled with insights from
experienced activists who have been providing counselling to individuals facing
discrimination based on racist attributions, religion, language, gender,
identity, sexual orientation, class, age, disability, and more in Berlin
for more than 20 years.
The Train the Trainers Anti-Racism and Civic Courage Training in
Berlin was an invaluable opportunity that provided me with a deeper
understanding of racism and its pervasive impact on individuals, communities,
and societies. It equipped me with the knowledge, skills, and tools to become a
more effective anti-racist advocate, committed to fostering a more just and
inclusive world.
I am confident that the skills and knowledge I have acquired
from this training will enable me to facilitate similar trainings in my
community, empowering others to join me in this collective effort for social
justice.
By Bikalpa Bibash Basaula
Funded by the
European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s)
only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European
Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor
EACEA can be held responsible for them.
