Opening the lens: Exploring colonial legacies, power, and privilege

For this year’s festival theme, Beyond Now, Berlin Science Week reminds us: “The world as we knew it seems to come undone.”And yes, it can feel intimidating. Change can be unsettling—like the ground we stand on is no longer steady. However, it is also a great opportunity to question how the world we know was shaped by colonial systems and power structures that continue to exclude others.

In this workshop, we will reflect together on how colonial systems continue to shape our lives—whether in political and social structures, especially in the arts and sciences, or in everyday practices we often take for granted and that still limit us today.

Built on the knowledge and outcomes of several International Volunteering Services organisations and a participatory, non-formal approach, this workshop is not a lecture or theory class. It is a space for shared (self-)exploration. The intention is not to deliver conclusions or concepts, but to create room for reflection—on our own experiences of privilege, oppression, and the many complexities in between.

This one-hour session is designed as the beginning of a personal journey. No prior knowledge is required. What matters most is curiosity, openness, and the courage to question the stories we have been taught.

Important Information
As spaces are limited, please feel free to register in advance. Your reserved seat will be held until 10 minutes before the event begins. If you cannot attend, kindly cancel your ticket so another guest can join.
Please note: late arrivals may have their spot reallocated.

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Host or Publisher Berlin Science Week