Conference "Expanding Perspectives Globally"

The conference "Expanding Perspectives Globally", which was initiated by IJAB, the International Youth Service of the Federal Republic of Germany, and the Bundesvereinigung Kulturelle Kinder- und Jugendbildung e.V. (BKJ, Federal Association for Cultural Education for Children and Young People), on 30 and 31 October 2019 in Cologne, helped to promote trust between stakeholders from Germany and partner countries of the Global South and thereby facilitate long-term partnerships.

It also became clear: Nothing provides a more intensive learning experience across continents than a personal encounter. As part of the "jugend.kultur.austausch global" programme, the BKJ has been supporting stakeholders in cultural education since 2017 in planning, securing funding and implementing weltwärts exchange projects around the world.

The two-year projects are developed and implemented primarily in close cooperation with partner organisations from African countries. In addition to an outward and return exchange, this also includes the intensive preparation and follow-up of exchange phases as well as the active thematic work in-between. The aim is for the partner organisations to work together fairly and on an equal footing and to build mutual trust.

For this reason, the BKJ, as a competence centre for cultural education and global learning, wants to provide long-term support for cultural education stakeholders in Germany and the countries of the Global South beyond the duration of the "jugend.kultur.austausch global" project.

At the conference "Expanding Perspectives Globally", stakeholders from the areas of exchange programmes and voluntary services discussed how the three areas of international youth work, development education and cultural education can work together even better.