Against the Tide: Empowering Marginalised Voices through Socio-Culture
What is the role of the cultural sector in the face of the gradual erosion of democratic norms we are witnessing across Europe?
In our depleted societies, where marginalised communities and young generations face growing challenges to meaningful participation in civic life, cultural organisations are called on to serve as amplifiers of their voices and catalysts of their agency.
Against the backdrop of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage site, hosted by our member Kulturni Centar Nikola Đurković, we have addressed these issues searching for meaningful answers together. Through a rich programme spanning panel discussions, workshops, study visits, and moments of networking, we explored innovative practices promoting inclusion through socio-culture. Participants and speakers reflected together on how to breathe new life into concepts such as inclusion and democracy, and how to strengthen the capacities of the European socio-cultural sector to promote participation, civic engagement, and social cohesion.
The event saw the participation of 121 people, representing 55 socio-cultural organisations from 22 countries, including 3 special guests from Georgia, Tunisia, and Palestine.
Browse the event's brochure here
Wednesday, September 17th: opening and setting the scene
09:30-12:30 Members' meeting (ENCC members only)
12:30-14:00 Welcome lunch and registrations
14:00-14:30 Official launch and welcome by ENCC chairperson Vittorio Bianco, the host Kulturni Centar Nikola Đurković, and local authorities
14:30-16:00 OPENING PANEL: "Safe spaces in practice: moving beyond buzzwords", with Hamish McIntosh (Nord University), Patrick Krebs (Divadlo Bez Domova), Kaća Dimitrijević (Asocijacija Nezavisna Kulturna Scena Srbije), and Soufiane Feki (Kamel Lazaar Foundation) | Moderated by Sophie Dowden
16:00-16:30 Coffee break
16:30-18:00 WORKSHOPS by ENCC Members: "From reflection to action"
a. "Culture as a voice: empowering the marginalised through art and community", by Schouwburg Kortrijk
b. "The written word is not enough", by BÜZ Minden
c. "ProtoKotor: amplifying narratives through creative practice", participatory analytical workshop (PAW) by Teatro Magro Cooperativa Sociale and Medeber Teatro
d. "Invisible voices map: designing safe spaces through stories", by Kulturni Centar Nikola Đurković
e. "StoryCraft: narrative tools for cultural changemakers", by ANGA
18:15-20:00 Guided tour of the old town and visit of "Identifications", an exhibition by Ilija Vukovic
20:00 - 21:00 Networking dinner and free time
Thursday, September 18th: learning and exchange
09:00-09:30 Welcome and registrations
09:30-10:00 KEYNOTE SPEECH: "Culture as resistance: confronting oppression through the arts in Palestine", by Mustafa Sheta (Freedom Theatre Jenin)
10:00-11:00 THEMATIC CONVERSATION "Engaging youth: culture as a trigger for participation, democracy, and resistance", with Jelena Božić (Asocijacija Kulturanova) and theatre and performance artist Masho Makashvili | Moderated by Lucille Griffon
11:00-11:30 Coffe break
11:30-13:00 BOLD youth-led session
13:00-14:00 Lunch and free time
14:00-15:00 Visit of "You Stood in the Way", an exhibition by I mi Boke
15:00-16:30 PANEL: "Grounded voices: local responses to marginalisation", with representatives from IMiBoke, CRINK, Queer Montenegro, and LGBT Forum Progres | Moderated by Dušan Medin
16:30-17:00 Coffee break
17:00-18:30 PEER WORKSHOPS: "Beyond the sessions: peer roundtables for shared learning"
a. "Creative dissonances: the role of cultural centres and artistic movements when the world is in crisis"
b. "Towards a Balkan hub: connecting socio-cultural spaces across the region"
c. "Beyond quick fixes: systemic tools for deep change"
d. "Youth in focus: strategies for meaningful engagement"
e. "Aiming for meaningful participation, sustainably"
19:00-21:00 Free time and dinner
21:00 onward Concert by the Zagreb Chamber Orchestra in the Church of the Holy Spirit
Friday, September 19th: co-creation and conclusions
09:00-09:30 Welcome and slow start
09:30-11:00 WORKSHOPS "Lasting impact: collective tools, shared advocacy, and the road ahead"
a. "Re-thinking collective, democratic creativity: a crowd-searching exercise contributing to the INTRACOMP intercultural and transcultural competency framework", with Ingrid Danckaerts and Hamish McIntosh from INTRACOMP
b. "Beyond borders: amplifying non-EU voices in European cultural networks", with Laurent Bigarella from Reset!, Kalina Dukovska from Laboratorium, and Théo Majcher from Alter Ego (X)
c. "Activating the toolbox: collaborative practices for real-life challenges", with Anna Maria Ranczakowska from FULCRUM
11:30-13:00 CLOSING PANEL "From safe spaces to bold futures: culture and creativity for systemic change", with Barbara Stacher (European Commission), Kalina Dukovska (Laboratorium), Serenella Martufi (Medeber Teatro), and Milica Popović (Kulturni Centar Nikola Đurković) | Moderated by Lapo Bettarini
13:00-14:00 Lunch
14:30-17:30 Boat tour of the Boka Bay and departures