When: Tuesday, 22 September, 2-6 pm followed by a networking session
Where: Berlin near Alexanderplatz, exact address provided upon registration
Conference languages: English and German with simultaneous interpretation
Registration: https://pretix.eu/lindmanns/RightToBelong/
We kindly ask you to register by 10 September, as space is limited.
The rule-based world order is facing threats of a type seldom seen before. Authoritarian structures are undermining democratic institutions and international norms. They frequently leverage the rights of marginalized groups in attempts to discredit the international system of human rights as a whole. Using disinformation and distortion, they attack and seek to reverse hard-won advances. Where authoritarianism extends its reach, the forces of democracy and human rights need to stand and act together.
This international conference highlights how crucial the system of human rights is for LGBTIQ+ people in particular. The right to belong is directly threatened by authoritarian developments. Together with experts from the sciences, media, human-rights work and civil society, we will discuss ways of countering instrumentalization and disinformation, and which strategies can strengthen democratic societies.
The law is on queer people’s side – and should also back the democratic institutions charged with defending human rights. How can these institutions be strengthened, along with non-discrimination, inclusion and equal participation for all? What forms of international solidarity and support are currently needed? What are the roles of civil society, diplomacy and development cooperation?
Conference program
1:30 pm Admission with coffee and drinks
2:00 pm Welcome from the Hirschfeld-Eddy Foundation
2:10 pm International Cooperation and the Human Rights of Marginalized Groups
Welcome Address by Lars Castellucci, Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Assistance
2:30 pm We Are Here to Stay: Queers in the Human Rights System
Opening keynote (video) by Graeme Reid, UN Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
2:50 pm Patterns and practices of authoritarianism, expert talk: Nick Antipov, D-HUB, Berlin
3:10 pm Covering LGBTIQ+ issues in Arab media, expert talk: Nazeeha Saeed, journalist, Berlin
3:30 pm Discussion
4:00-4:30 pm Coffee break
4:30 pm World Café
Guiding question: How can the right to belong be defended against authoritarian attacks?
Topic tables:
Table 1: Countering Disinformation on LGBTIQ Issues*
Heike Winkel, Federal Agency for Civic Education
Table 2: Activism in Authoritarian contexts
Georgy Kalakutskii, Public Advocacy Manager at LGBTQ+ Group ComingOut
Table 3: Nigeria and its democracy movement
Anonymous, activist, Nigeria
Table 4: A protestant aid organization’s perspective
Farina Hoffmann, Bread for the World
5:50–6:05 pm Insights from the four tables: Main points and recommendations for action
6:05 pm Summary and next steps
6:15 pm Networking with food and drink
7:00 pm End of conference
Registration: https://pretix.eu/lindmanns/RightToBelong/
We kindly request a firm registration by 10 September, as space is limited.
Contact: Sarah Kohrt, project manager: sarah.kohrtthou-shalt-not-spamhirschfeld-eddy-stiftung.de
An event by the Hirschfeld-Eddy Foundation as part of the project “The Pink Factor: LGBTIQ+ Rights, Geopolitical Conflict, and the Fight for Values and Resources”.