A Workshop on Understanding Biased Narratives and Unleashing the Power of Collaboration
As part of our ongoing commitment to a more inclusive and equitable society, we strive to create opportunities to develop ourselves as an organization as well as to support our donors and partners on their individual journeys.
That is why we recently organized a workshop to explore critical topics such as power dynamics, anti-discrimination, and inclusive and sensitive language– skills that are essential for today’s cross-cultural relationships.
The workshop facilitator, Sophie Irmey, is an anti-discrimination and diversity trainer, speaker, and consultant. She has been a freelance trainer since 2016 and has already supported institutions like Volkswagen, NDR (Norddeutscher Rundfunk), Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, several German universities, and many more.
Through her workshop, Sophie aims to ‘break down barriers, dispel prejudices, and enable participation for all people. In work contexts, this means promoting an appreciative atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable, skills are recognized, and potential can unfold.’
The workshop covered the following topics:
Postcolonialism & Postcolonial Structures
Racism & Privileges
Stereotypes & Fair Reporting
Language & Power
Strategies of Action
Why are workshops like this so important?
As Westerners, most of us grew up with biased narratives and prejudices about countries in the Global South that are still very much routed in post-colonialist structures and (old) power dynamics. No matter how open and reflective we think we are, we still carry the consequences of our upbringing and unconscious bias with us. This is a fact and nothing we can change in retrospect– but we can change our belief system and the way we act and speak today. It’s crucial not only for personal development but also leads to more successful teams, partnerships, and, ultimately, businesses.
Facing Racism
The workshop provided a space for participants to confront and discuss the various forms of racism, from systemic to personal. Promoting a deeper awareness of the challenges of marginalized communities supports collective action and advocacy for lasting change.
Understanding Privileges
Acknowledging and understanding privilege is a crucial step toward breaking down systemic inequalities. By guiding participants in exploring their privilege, we encourage them to consider how they can use their position to make a positive impact and become active allies in the fight against injustice.
Language Matters
Language is a powerful tool that can either strengthen or challenge societal norms. Through workshops like this, we understand that the way we talk can either support or challenge injustice. Gaining insights and awareness of how language shapes perceptions contributes to creating more inclusive narratives.
If this sounds interesting to you, please drop us a mail at team@groundbreaker.org. We are happy to provide you with more information.