Projects
Austria - This is me and who are you?
Young Muslims and non-Muslims discover the world of “the other.” An action-oriented listening project in Vienna, Vorarlberg and Upper Austria.
Social tensions, mutual resentment, prejudice, misunderstanding, divisions along ethnic lines and fears about political security in connection with the Muslim population are hot topics in Austria, from the political arena to the classroom.
Current studies show that intercultural exchange is not sufficiently cultivated. Dialogue tends to take place only at the highest levels. If the current discussions are to have consequences in society at large, the youth must immediately be incorporated into the process of meeting and understanding each other. The formative adolescent years present an ideal opportunity to build bridges between the cultures at school, at work, and during leisure activities.
Women without Borders will invite 24 young men and women from Vienna, Upper Austria, and Vorarlberg, both with and without Muslims backgrounds, to get to know “the others’” lives. Over the course of a year, the youths will visit each others’ homes, discuss their thoughts in training workshops, and document their experiences, which will be gathered and presented in an exhibition.
The goal is to show the participants that their daily realities may be different, but that these differences can serve to enrich their lives, rather than divide them.
