DiversityCultureNRW - this was the slogan of the expert congress organized by the Ministry of Culture and Science NRW (MKW) on September 19,23 which focused on the practical implementation of diversity-sensitive opening processes in the cultural sector and invited to exchange, networking and participation. Prasanna Oommen moderated the event at the Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus . Participants included experts from cultural institutions, associations and administrative structures, as well as individuals and institutions new to the topic.
As a introduction to the topic and an impulse for the subsequent workshops, Prasanna Oommen led a discussion with four experts with different perspectives on the cultural sector under the guiding question:"How can diversity become part of the DNA in the cultural sector?"“ geführt. Gemeinsam mit der Kulturwissenschaftlerin, Journalistin und Schriftstellerin Dr. Mithu Sanyal; the founder, artistic director and dancer of the DIN A 13 tanzcompany Gerda König; der ehemaligen Leiterin des Programms „360° – Fonds für Kulturen der neuen Stadtgesellschaft“ Anna Zosik and the professor for social sciences and racism research Prof. Dr. Lorenz Narku Laing , the necessary processes of change in the cultural sector were discussed and the spotlight was directed on social groups that are excluded by recurring patterns of participation in cultural institutions.
Image: © MKW/Ralph Sondermann