call for contributions to the XENOS contest “Encounter”

The globe is burning – literally. Asylum centres in Germany, Danish and European embassies in Middle East, police stations in Bagdad. Angry and manipulated masses of people becoming violent against “foreigners”. Extremeists are pushing up the fear about strangers (called xenophobia).

The German Programm “Xenos” empouwers people to resist at the place where everything starts. Working here and now for mutual understanding of each other, of “the other” in the everyday life.

The starting point should not be the confrontation but the encounter. To meet each other in this way is a chance for all people with different backgrounds to share and to enrich each other.

The contest calls all of you who are interested in an intercultural exchange, who are feeling responsible for the world arround us: express your opunion, tell us your point of view, give us your idea. You can send a video film or a printed piece like a poster or a flyer.

The subject may be expressed in a wide spread of variations: portraits of people, intercultural events or activities, who foreigners are respected or disrespected, how do people with different heritage act with each other. What are your personal expieriences, questions, points, how can you contribute to the groth of mutual appriciation.

The contest deadline is the first of September 2006. A jury of experts  wil evaluate and choose the winners of contest. The results will be screened and shown on regional festivals and proposed for national and international contests.

The contest conditions will be published on our website www.ifnm.de  or you can ask for under  ulbrich@ifnm.de