The working group for anti-discrimination
“There are no times or places that (should) force us to abandon the fundamental acknowledgment of the radical diversity of people and the affirmation of a democratic, plural society. And there are no times or places that (should) force us to abandon independent, critical thinking. The inviolability and dignity of every human being are our guiding principles.” (Czollek/Perko et. al. 2019, p. 9)
Who are we and why do we exist?
Berlin is diverse. Yet this social diversity is not yet adequately reflected in Berlin’s cultural sector. In these times of dwindling resources and threatened democratic spaces, it is especially important to safeguard diversity and equal opportunities in publicly funded cultural institutions. This is certainly the case with the Artists-in-Berlin Program (BKP), which is part of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
Our aim is to provide opportunities for equal access to all BKP services for everyone and to overcome discrimination. To achieve this, we have set up an internal “anti-discrimination working group.”
Our work is based on the discrimination criteria outlined in the State Anti-Discrimination Act (LADG):
No person may be discriminated against on the grounds of gender, ethnic origin, racist or antisemitic attributions, religion or belief, disability, chronic illness, age, language, sexual or gender identity, or social status.
We also include discrimination based on socioeconomic status as well as socialization in East and West Germany as additional factors. Our Code of Conduct is another important reference for our work.
As we believe that different types of exclusion can often coexist, our understanding of discrimination is intersectional.
Please talk to us
if you have experienced discrimination as a visitor, fellow, contract worker, or applicant to the DAAD Artists-in-Berlin Program. If you are unsure whether what you have experienced constitutes discrimination, we can help you to clarify the situation.
We also welcome feedback if you notice any situations or obstacles in our work that need to be discussed.
As an internal working group within the BKP, our objective is to address specific situations in cooperation with the Artists-in-Berlin Program and refer you to DAAD’s official General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) Advisory Service if necessary.
How do we proceed? What are our principles of conduct?
Our discussions are confidential, partial and independent: everything we discuss remains within the confines of our conversation; names are not revealed. We are on your side. We will only discuss if and what measures can be taken with you, not with third parties. As part of this process, we will take into consideration the realities of your life as well as the impacts of social inequality and structural power relations in a non-discriminatory way.
What kind of support do we offer? What kind of contact can I expect?
We always begin with a confidential discussion with you and at least 2 people from the Anti-discrimination group.
We document each case anonymously in order to be able to formulate general and preventive steps. We are happy to explain exactly what this means in our discussion with you.
Every (further) step will only be taken after consultation with you.
Depending on the situation and your requirements, we can:
- Support you to classify the events:
– What has happened?
– What do I need to protect myself?
– What options do I have? - Explore options for action together
- Develop a strategy
- Accompany you to meetings
- Provide mediation in discrimination conflicts
- Offer referrals to e.g. therapeutic counselling / legal advice centers
What we cannot offer:
- Our discussion is not a substitute for legal advice and/or psychotherapeutic support.
- Our discussion is not a substitute for advice under the German General Equal Treatment Act (AGG). Complaints to the employer should be reported to DAAD’s AGG Advisory Service. If it becomes clear during our discussion that the AGG Advisory Service should be involved for legal reasons, we will be happy to arrange this after consultation with you.
Contact:
- Biljana Milkov (she/her, German, English, Bosnian Kroatian Serbian)
email: milkov.berlin@daad.de
- Melanie Roumiguière, (she/her, German, English, Spanish)
email: roumiguiere.berlin@daad.de
- Raisa Galofre Cortés, (she/her, German, English, Spanish)
email: galofre.berlin@daad.de
- Regine Dzyck (she/her, German)
email: dzyck.berlin@daad.de
- Sebastian Dürer (he/him, German, English)
email: duerer.berlin@daad.de