PHÄNO_cultures

The PHÄNO_cultures project was aimed at testing novel approaches and models of cross-phenomenon prevention work. Ideas and expressions of inequality, which are either religiously, ethnically, ethnically or culturally based and are increasingly finding their way into semi-public discourses, have so far generally been negotiated in different prevention offers. For some groups and settings, however, a phenomenon-open approach can be advantageous. At the content level, comparative youth culture and media-based political education is a good idea. For example, with regard to anti-democratic content and recruitment strategies through social media, internet, film and music production by extreme right-wing and Islamist organizations. Cultures Interactive is therefore expanding its youth culture approach both methodically and in terms of personnel, in order to offer decidedly cross-phenomenon extremism prevention in schools and youth clubs.

In PHÄNO_cultures, a specially composed and qualified team aimed to discuss and critically examine attitudes that refer to religiously based or extreme right-wing ideologies with young people. The main objectives of the project were firstly (1) to strengthen democratic and human rights attitudes among adolescents in general and among those who feel addressed by right-wing extremist or Islamist-based ideologies, media content and groups or who grow up in a corresponding environment. And secondly (2) to contribute to a greater understanding and social integration of girls with Muslim background, including those who are fascinated by extremely religious ideas, by means of suitable girl specific formats of youth cultural political education.

To this end, (1) formats of cross-phenomenal political education for primary prevention were being developed through school project days and tested in six federal states at various schools. And (2) long-term discussion workshops for work in girls' groups at school or in youth facilities were being developed and implemented in Berlin. In addition to a project evaluation, a practice/science advisory board accompanied the project process and the results.

PHÄNO_School project days

PHÄNO_Cultures offered nationwide new formats for school project days with up to 100 pupils. New methods of political education oriented towards the world of life and youth culture were applied with one or more classes (8th - 10th grade) at regular or high schools, elementary schools and upper school centers. Open discussion of topics were central to the program. Young people engaged in discussions regarding topics such as social justice, democracy and participation for all, gender justice for women and men, current domestic and foreign policy issues (situation of refugees, war in their countries of origin, anti-Muslim racism, alleged discrimination against "Germans"). These talks were stimulated and moderated by political educators and youth cultural actors using various interactive methods. In order to facilitate a change of perspective for young people, the PHÄNO_cultures team worked with examples of youth cultural emancipation movements from various countries such as Afghanistan, Egypt, Syria, Tunisia and others. In addition, recruitment strategies via the internet and social media by extreme right-wing and Islamist movements were discussed, compared and critically reflected. In practical workshops such as YouTube, rap, graffiti, etc., young people acquired the skills they need to critically counteract the appropriation of youth culture by extremists and the spread of attitudes of group-hatred.

"GiHip" girl groups

In discussion workshops, hip hop was be used to examine the perspective of and with girls in the context of Islam and "the West" with regard to similarities and differences. Text and image examples or video messages from hip hop protagonists from the Middle East and North Africa as well as from protagonists who situate themselves as Muslims were systematically selected for methodical processing. The content of these examples dealt with personal stories in regards to social and political developments in the above-mentioned countries, but also with the life of Muslim women in Germany and Europe.