Opening the Lens: Exploring Colonial Legacies, Power, and Privilege

For this year’s festival theme, Beyond Now, Berlin Science Week reminds us: “The world as we knew it seems to come undone.”And yes, it can feel intimidating. Change can be unsettling—like the ground we stand on is no longer steady. However, it is also a great opportunity to question how the world we know was shaped by colonial systems and power structures that continue to exclude others.

In this workshop, we will reflect together on how colonial systems continue to shape our lives—whether in political and social structures, especially in the arts and sciences, or in everyday practices we often take for granted and that still limit us today.

Built on the knowledge and outcomes of several International Volunteering Services organisations and a participatory, non-formal approach, this workshop is not a lecture or theory class. It is a space for shared (self-)exploration. The intention is not to deliver conclusions or concepts, but to create room for reflection—on our own experiences of privilege, oppression, and the many complexities in between.

This one-hour session is designed as the beginning of a personal journey. No prior knowledge is required. What matters most is curiosity, openness, and the courage to question the stories we have been taught.

Note: Our reserved seats have now all been taken – thank you for the great interest! But not to worry: we always keep a number of seats available for spontaneous guests. So even without a reservation, you’re very welcome to come along. And if you’d like to be notified when a spot opens up, you can sign up for our waiting list.