INSTITUTE BURJA EXPLORING EUROPE UNDER ERASMUS+

By implementing learning mobility of staff within the framework of the accredited Erasmus program in 2022-2027, we are improving approaches to the informal education of members of ethnic minorities in Slovenia.

Ivana Stipić Lah

“The connection between people, culture and architecture – this is one of our guiding principles” is how life and business partners Jan and Hendrik begin their story. Jan Dimog is a journalist, and Hendrik Bohle is an architect. Together, they write books, curate exhibitions, hold workshops and raise awareness of the importance of intercultural dialogue.

The Link Berlin specializes in raising (inter)cultural awareness, members of minorities and the inclusion of women in the cultural and architectural sectors in an environmentally friendly way. Their approach to education includes various activities such as (architectural) workshops, round tables, exhibitions and printing publications. These activities aim to raise awareness and educate a new generation of young people from vulnerable groups about the importance of culture and architecture and to give them a better start in the contemporary society. In this way, they hope to pave the way for ethnic, gender and other minorities, as well as women, who are largely neglected in most professions. “At round tables and trainings, which are, for example, dedicated to women in society, often only men speak. At our round tables, we always include at least 50% of women from the profession, who speak about topics with the same quality as their male colleagues”, points out Jan.

Jan Dimog has the experience of being an immigrant, as he moved to Germany from the Philippines at seven. Therefore, it is essential to him that members of ethnic minorities are always present at their events, such as round tables, discussions and workshops, and the equal participation of women and minority groups, regardless of their nationality or gender. In addition,

The Link Berlin is also actively committed to ecology. All their printed publications are printed on recycled paper and using organic dyes. To reduce their carbon footprint, they are increasingly focusing on publications on digital platforms. They also care for the environment when organizing exhibitions, round tables and workshops. Companies with recycled materials, such as haberdasheries, produce advertising canvases and posters. Thus, even these materials are transformed into valuable products, such as bags, wallets and backpacks.

In addition to education and ecological awareness, Jan and Hendrick also shared their fundraising knowledge with me. They emphasize that it is crucial to start developing a strategy, choosing the right partners, and intensive meetings, telephone conversations and concluding contracts. Planning and timing are essential, as is creating the fundraising process early enough. Company owners Jan Dimog and Hendrick Bohle particularly emphasized the importance of firm belief in their product and persistence in rejection. In conclusion, they also underline that organizing exhibitions and events in the spaces they are talking about is crucial, allowing the participants to experience everything they are talking about in life. With this, they can observe architecture, history and society through a broader, more inclusive perspective. The Link Berlin thus remains true to its values and contributes to a better and more diverse community.

It is also interesting that in their series of books on architecture, they also visited Slovenia and published a book about Slovenian architecture.

This time, we stayed in Berlin for a day or so. As part of this visit, we again visited our partners from the Organization Südost Europa Kultur, who offer immigrants various services, including counselling, educational programs, employment opportunities and legal support in long-term integration processes. They provide comprehensive systemic support to immigrants in integrating into the wider society. We used the opportunity to create synergies and connect different stakeholders at the local level – with the company The Link and the possibilities of upgrading our cooperation.

During meetings and consultations with host organization representatives, we visited their green paradise in the centre of Berlin – the Rosenduft Intercultural Garden. This garden has an interesting story, as it began as a place of psychological support for refugee women from Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially from Srebrenica. Psychologists recommended returning to nature to relax and integrate into society. In this eco-friendly garden, they grow flowers and vegetables and care for bees while working more flexibly and naturally. Various activities, such as lectures and meetings, occur in this pleasant environment, which provides an escape from the bureaucratic offices. The Rosenduft Intercultural Garden was visited a few years ago by the then Prince of Wales and today by the British King Charles. King Charles is an advocate of environmental protection and could be called the green king.

We also used the visit to prepare mobility activities for adult learners when we sent some participants on an educational trip to Berlin in the spring.