Workshop at the Rheinsberger Congress
Democracy, participation and protection against discrimination for people with disabilities
From 2–5 March 2025, the 6th Rheinsberg Congress organized by the Federal Association of Protestant Disability Support (BeB) took place in Rheinsberg. Under the motto “We for Democracy and Participation”, numerous people with disabilities, professionals, volunteers, and representatives from self-advocacy and practice came together.
For reflect.awareness e.V., Issaias Weikum (Board Member) participated as a workshop leader in the congress program.
Workshop on awareness, power and discrimination
As part of the congress, we conducted an awareness workshop for people with disabilities, focusing on questions of boundaries, discrimination, power relations, and self-determination. The goal was to create spaces where experiences could be shared, articulated, and contextualized—without being relativized or individualized.
The workshop was deliberately low-threshold, dialogical, and participant-centered. Together with participants, we worked to make discrimination visible as a societal problem and to strengthen options for action in dealing with boundary violations.
Awareness as a prerequisite for participation
For us, awareness means taking power dynamics seriously and empowering those affected. Particularly in the context of disability, awareness is inseparably linked to participation, self-advocacy, and democratic engagement.
Our work at the Rheinsberg Congress was grounded in an anti-sexist, anti-discriminatory, and partisan stance. The power of definition rested with the participants: their experiences, perceptions, and boundaries were central.
Congress as a space for political education
The Rheinsberg Congress demonstrates that the topics addressed in awareness work are not only relevant at festivals but play a central role in the everyday lives of people affected. Political education, democracy work, and awareness intersect here, creating spaces for empowerment, exchange, and solidarity-based learning.
We thank BeB for their trust and for inviting us to be part of this important congress.