Project Funding: “Honigbrot” (“Honey Bread”) Intercultural Women’s Dialogue
Moderated intercultural dialogues enable German- and Arabic-speaking women to enter into an open exchange with each other. The dialogue supports an encounter on equal footing and a respectful exchange about topics that concern women.
Keywords:
intercultural dialogue for women, dialogue according to David Bohm, integration
Initial Situation
Through their counselling work, Gabriele Hörl-Anselmi (ifs Vorarlberg), Milana Tokaev (ifs Vorarlberg) and Claudia Wohlgenannt (Sozialpaten Caritas) have frequently been in contact with refugee women looking for support and information. In the conversations, it was noticeable how many Arab women live in isolation – they’re mainly housebound and have little contact with local women.
The impetus for this project came from Arabic-speaking women who expressed a wish to engage in conversation with Austrian women. This is how the idea of founding an intercultural women’s group came about.
Solution Approach
The “Honigbrot” project is based on the assumption that women can learn and experience a lot with and from each other, regardless of nationality, which can lead to new relationships and networks. The participants shape the encounter together, and an exchange across linguistic and cultural boundaries can take place. Dialogue sessions allow for an exchange at eye level and strengthen personal responsibility. A “framework” is provided; each participant is jointly responsible for the content and the result.
The Project Measures
- Regular meetings of the hosting team (choice and preparation of the respective topic, design of the premises, schedule for the afternoon, preparation of the snack)
- Four afternoons, each with a 1 ½ hour dialogue (2 groups of approx. 10 to 15 people) and an arrival and conclusion phase.
- A summer party and a Christmas party
- Organisation of childcare, interpreters and dialogue facilitators
The Effects
- Direct results (output): Austrian and/or Arabic-speaking women engage in conversation with each other; interest in other cultures is stimulated. Willingness to engage with the new and unfamiliar
- Medium-term effects (outcome): discovering commonalities with and differences to the respective other culture and thus a broader understanding of “otherness”. Reduction of prejudices and strengthening of personal responsibility. Creation of a sphere of trust and the development of networks.
- Long-term effects (impact): joint activities (e.g. visits to the public library) and training (e.g. introduction to dialogue)
Cooperation Partners
