The main aim of the workshop series on co-existence is to create an inclusive language to overcome discrimination and to foster empathy. While building solidarity among CSOs working in different fields in Turkey the workshop series will offer a platform to learn from experts and experiences of each other. In this workshop series we will draw attention to the commonalities of the problems rather than differences and shed light on the strategies to tackle different forms of discrimination. 

CSO professionals from different countries working on inclusive discourse, anti-discrimination, diversity, peace building and conflict resolution will facilitate workshops to encourage CSO workers in Turkey to embrace a common anti-discriminatory approach and language which promotes dialogue across differences and fosters empathy.

Workshops on co-existence 1: Is it possible to transform discrimination into inclusion by putting culture first? 

Hasini Haputhanthri, independent researcher from Sri Lanka, stresses the role of culture in the creation of unequal development, poverty, conflict and fragile governance, all of which, lead to discrimination, marginalisation and exclusion. 

According to Haputhanthri, culture is not a monolithic whole which has all positive sides. On the contrary, it has divisions and malpractices. That is why it makes most day-to-day discriminatory and exclusionary practices ‘normal’. When such practices are deeply embedded in the culture of a society, people are unable to detect them as they often feel “that’s the way things are” and therefore are unable to transform it. 

In the workshop facilitated by Haputhanthri, participants will try to create a basic understanding and the dynamics of culture with their differences and how it affects their professional practices in the field. They will focus on possiblities to transform discrimination into inclusion by putting culture first. 

  • The workshops will be on 12th August Wednesday and 14th August Friday at 10.00 am - 13.00 pm via Zoom.
  • The language of the workshops will be in English with the simultaneous translation into Turkish.
  • It will be a participatory interactive workshop with group studies and discussion.
  • Participation in the workshop is limited to 20 people.
  • The deadline for applications is Thursday, August 6.
  • Please fill the form below to apply to the workshop.

Hasini A. Haputhanthri

Best known as a development professional and arts manager, Hasini is a part of a global network of researchers and practitioners on peace-building, arts and heritage management. Initially trained as a sociologist at Delhi University India and Lund University Sweden, Hasini later specialised in Oral History and Museum Anthropology at Columbia University New York. She has worked with several international and local government and non-government organisations on peacebuilding in Sri Lanka for the past 13 years, most notably with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and now works as an independent consultant. Her current research and practice is focused on reinventing museums as sites of representation, innovative pedagogy and civic engagement. She speaks regularly on peace education, social inclusion, culture and heritage management issues on a variety of international platforms.

This project is funded by the European Union.