"What country do we want to be?" on 29 April - open debate with Syrian speakers

The initiative "What country do we want to be?" and the action alliance "We’re doing it" are organising for the first time an open debate in Deutsches Theater Berlin with Syrian intellectuals, artists and activists as contributing speakers.

Getting under the skin of Germany’s self-image: In light of the challenges and opportunities posed by migration and movements of refugees, the question arises of what society we actually want to be. One that is open, based on the ideals of freedom and human rights? Or one that is exclusive, seeking to secure its identity in the face of perceived threats from without? And: what are we prepared to do?

"What country do WE want to be?" Who is this WE, anyway? In an open society, this WE includes all the people who are coming to us in great numbers. We are in need of a shared discussion about our shared future.

On 29th April, four Syrian intellectuals, artists, and activists will contribute their personal statements to open a shared discussion among long-time residents and newcomers alike. The event is taking place in the Deutsches Theater as part of the nationwide debate series, and for the first time in cooperation with the action alliance “Wir machen das” (English: “We’re doing it”).

Contributing speakers to the event on 29th April at 7:30 p.m. in the Deutsches Theater are:

• Rafat Al Zakout, movie and theatre director
• Bassam Dawoud, actor, theatre director and social activist
• Keffah Ali Deeb, artist and writer
• Salma Jreige, legal expert, feminist and political activist
• Priya Basil, author (moderation)

The event takes place in English and Arabic, with translation.

The debate series was initiated at the end of 2015 by Alexander Carius (Managing Director of the Berlin-based think-tank adelphi) and Harald Welzer (Director, FuturZwei, Stiftung Zukunftsfähigkeit). In addition to the action alliance “Wir machen das”, the initiative is supported by many faces from the arts, culture, sciences, and politics. Thus far, over 7.000 people have participated in 35 debates. 20 further debates in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland are being planned. Further information and press commentary can be found at www.die-offene-gesellschaft.de.

A joint event of the initiative "What country do we want to be?" and the action alliance "We’re doing it".