Belonging Without Othering: Stories, Conversations and Community in Berlin
This July, Berlin Hub by Civil Society Forum e.V., the Democracy & Belonging Forum, and the European Philanthropic Initiative on Migration invite you into an evening around belonging, bridging and community with scholar and social justice icon John A. Powell, director of the Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley.
Maybe the distance between people is sometimes smaller than we imagine.
Maybe connection becomes more possible when we risk a little more curiosity, openness, conversation or presence with one another.
This gathering begins there.
With questions about belonging:
how it is created,
how it is denied,
how it changes across places and communities,
and what kinds of relationships become possible when people from different worlds genuinely meet.
The meeting will bring together people who care about communities in many different ways:
Community organisers, activists, artists, entrepreneurs, educators, institution workers, facilitators, public servants, researchers, bridge-builders and people whose paths rarely cross, even while they are often working around similar tensions and hopes.
john a. powell will open the evening with reflections on belonging without othering, followed by stories and perspectives from people across Berlin communities.
From there, the space will gradually open into participant-led conversations, shared tables, food, drinks and embodied practices — creating room for people to think together, meet across different experiences and remain in dialogue a little longer than everyday life usually allows.
Some conversations may stay practical.
Some may become political, personal or uncomfortable.
Some may simply begin with meeting someone you would not usually meet.
We are interested in what becomes possible when people meet without needing immediate agreement, performance or easy resolution. When conversation itself becomes a way to stay with the moment together — with more attention, honesty and presence. When belonging is understood not as sameness, but as the willingness to remain in relationship — staying connected through difference, uncertainty and moments of rupture.
So Berlin, let’s make this gathering together this July.
Maybe the distance between people is sometimes smaller than it first appears. Bring your circles, questions and communities — and join us for an evening of conversation, curiosity and encounters that help people hold on to hope together.
Contribution: This event operates on a pay-what-you-can basis. We recommend a contribution of 15 EUR, but everyone is welcome regardless of their ability to pay. If you are able to contribute more, your support helps make participation accessible for others.