Agora: Multicultural initiatives and stories from the city we love - Berlin

Give Something Back to Berlin•gsbtb.org

Give Something Back to Berlin is a migrant organisation in Germany that works on social integration, intercultural dialogue, and diversity. We make urban integration and intercultural dialogue a multi-way process; promote diversity, equity, and anti-racism; and create opportunities for education and skill-sharing. We make worlds meet for a better city! Agora podcast series explores Berlin’s multicultural landscape. We find out how migration has changed our urban landscape, hear stories from our community, and exchange ideas with those who are making a difference. We tackle issues ranging from human rights, diversity, and education, to migrant identity and belonging. Watch this podcast as video series on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCckQ52mXVS0ZIVC9843xiFg Website: www.gsbtb.org Instagram: www.instagram.com/givesomethingbacktoberlin Facebook: www.facebook.com/GiveSomethingBackToBerlin

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Episodes

Episode 13: On the other end of the microphone - interview with the co-hosts of Agora

As the co-hosts of Agora, Gaby D’Annunzio and Marie-Theresa Helmschmied are normally the ones asking questions. In the latest episode of the podcast, however, they are on the other end of the microphone. They talk about the journey that brought them to Give Something Back to Berlin and why the organization and giving back to the community are so special for them. Agora podcast brings you stories from our multicultural community. Host: Ragip Zik Guests: Gaby D’Annunzio, Marie-Theresa Helmschmied ...

Aug 08, 2022•17 min

Episode 12: Open Kitchen connects migrants, refugees and locals through food

In this episode of Agora, Ricarda Bochat of Open Kitchen tells us how food can be a venue for people to connect and share stories about Berlin and beyond. One of the longest standing projects of Give Something Back to Berlin, the Open Kitchen enables newcomers of all backgrounds- as well as locals- to interact, socialise and share recipes through a number of cooking projects. We see cooking and food as an exceptional platform to break down barriers and get to know people and their culture. Agora...

Jul 29, 2022•11 min

Episode 11: Rückenwind - Bikes for Refugees

n this episode of Agora, we chatted to Louis Bazalgette from Rückenwind about how having a bike can help integration. The mission of Rückenwind (meaning tailwind) is to provide refugees with donated bicycles. Those who sign up for a bike are invited to Rückenwind’s workshop where they repair their future vehicle with the help of volunteer mechanics. Eventually, they can move around Berlin independently, environmentally friendly and free of charge while making new connections in the city. Agora p...

Jul 14, 2022•7 min

Episode 10: The Sprechstunde helps migrants and refugees navigate through the jungle of information

In this episode of Agora, we chatted to Viktoriia Koliesnikova. She is a community member of GSBTB from Ukraine who volunteers at our Sprechstunde or consulting hours, helping refugees arriving from Ukraine. At the Sprechstunde, anyone can receive information on residency, education, employment or simply social activities in Berlin. Our colleagues are at the Refugio Café every Tuesday and Wednesday from 12:00 to 14:00 to help you navigate through the jungle of information. No appointment is need...

Jul 06, 2022•14 min

Episode 9: Schwulenberatung Berlin offers help to LGBTQ refugees

In the new episode of Agora we focus on an important yet rarely discussed issue: the situation of queer refugees. We talked to Hans Kalben, social worker and team lead at the refugee department of Schwulenberatung Berlin, a counselling centre that offers help to gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans* and inter* (LGBTQ) refugees. Agora podcast brings you stories from our multicultural community. Host: Marie-Therese Helmschmied Guests: Hans Kalben Videography: Bethania Medina Location: Refugio Berlin Prod...

Jul 04, 2022•23 min

Episode 8: JACK protects migrant women by offering free education in Berlin

Daniela Dachrodt introduces JACK, an education centre for female refugees and women in need of shelter in Germany. JACK offers a diverse course program like literacy and German classes to interested women who are denied other access to education. The organisation's goal is to strengthen women's autonomy and social participation. Agora podcast brings you stories from our multicultural community. Host: Marie-Therese Helmschmied Guests: Daniela Dachrodt Videography: Bethania Medina Location: Refugi...

Jun 16, 2022•15 min

Episode 7: Exploring Berlin's intercultural soundscape with Iman Jesmi

For this episode of Agora, we talked with Iranian composer and visual artists Iman Jesmi. We asked Iman about his sonic experience of living in Berlin and what he noticed about the city soundscape. Based in Berlin as a mentership fellow at Forecast Platform, Iman is interested in the concept of everyday sounds and capturing sonic interactions of people from different cultures and parts of the world. He has recently exhibited interactive artworks and sensory experiences at Radialsystem - he delve...

May 26, 2022•26 min

Episode 6: Open Music Lab builds a more equitable music scene in Berlin

Ben Osborn joins Gaby D'Annunzio to tell how they built a community of music producers from scratch. The two co-founders chat about the crossroads of music and migration, Berlin life and belonging. The Open Music Lab is an inclusive community that empowers people to make their own music with the vision of building a more equitable music scene. It offers free production workshops to everyone who wants to learn and improve skills in the field of music. Agora podcast brings you stories from our mul...

Apr 14, 2022•33 min

Episode 5: Building a new community overseas

Amani Kaskin and Antonina Stasiuk talk about how they can engage people deeply and foster a sense of belonging. Open Hearts Space helps migrants and refugees to build their own support network and thrive in a new environment. All Open Hearts Space activities are free and open to everyone, with priority given to women and children. You can join art workshops, language cafés, and support groups taking place online and in-person at Refugio Berlin. Agora podcast brings you stories from our multicult...

Feb 22, 2022•21 min

Episode 4: Changing the way migrants learn languages

Rinky Miri and Fayaz Ghaznavi tell us how the Open Language Cafés are helping to change the way migrants learn languages. This space offers a friendly environment to form friendships and build solidarity networks while learning about different cultures and languages. All Open Language Cafés classes are free and open to everyone. You can join us at Refugio on Tuesdays at 18:00 for English Language and Wednesdays at 17:30 for German Language Sprachcafé. Agora podcast brings you stories from our mu...

Jan 20, 2022•17 min

Episode 3: Berlin's Khan Aljanub bookshop brings Arabic literature to Berlin

In this episode of the Agora podcast series, we talked to Fade Abdelnour, one of the founder of the Khan Aljanub Bookshop of Berlin's Schöneberg district. Khan Aljanub is an initiative of the local Arabic-speaking migrant community and a hideout off the busy Postdamer Street. Fadi told us about the founding story of the bookshop, the recent changes in the multicultural literature scene of Berlin, and what they offer to the city. At the end of the interview, Fadi read an excerpt from Minor Detail...

Dec 07, 2021•13 min

Episode 2: Migrants and refugees give back to Berlin through the Open Music School

In this episode of the Agora podcast series, we talked to Tom Young, founder of the Open Music School and Programme Manager at GSBTB. The Open Music School is a musical skill-sharing community with a solid music education programme. Tom told us about the Open Music School's ambition bring diversity to the music scene by making education accessible and completely free for everyone. By offering weekly free music classes and regular thematic events, the Open Music School creates welcoming and inclu...

Aug 05, 2021•27 min

Episode 1: Migrants in Berlin join Deutsche Wohnen & Co Enteignen's housing rights campaign

In this episode, we interviewed Deutsche Wohnen & Co Enteignen, a Berlin-based grassroots initiative aiming at expropriating large housing corporations in order to give all Berliners access to fair housing. Tune in and find out how the current housing crisis has particularly affected vulnerable and migrant populations in Berlin and Germany. Rosa Silva joins Marie-Therese Helmschmied and tells us how the campaign started, its different demands and next steps, including the soon-to-come refere...

Jul 08, 2021•23 min

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