Vision and History

One Center for a World of Many

At Berlin Global Village, we reject all forms of racism and discrimination, including their intersectional entanglements, and actively and resolutely oppose them. We therefore understand it as a shared responsibility to create a space in which users can interact with one another in a discrimination-sensitive way. To this end, Berlin Global Village strives for a power-critical, discrimination-aware, and diversity-oriented approach—as an organization, as a network, as a place, and as individuals.

We see Berlin Global Village as a learning organization and a learning network that is aware of the challenges and complexity involved in addressing racism and discrimination. We know that we will make mistakes. We want to learn from these mistakes in solidarity—individually, collectively, and institutionally—and to seek and maintain open and constructive dialogue in all directions.

Founding Visions

  1. Berlin Global Village is a visible place in Berlin where people, initiatives, and organizations work for social change and global justice. It is a place for encounters, cooperation, and open dialogue that radiates into society.
     
  2. At Berlin Global Village, we work together toward a new sense of “we” that names and acknowledges discrimination and critically questions and dismantles power structures. Berlin Global Village aims to contribute to an inclusive society in which people—regardless of skin color, gender, sexual orientation, cultural or social background, religion or worldview, or physical and mental abilities—can live and participate on an equal and self-determined basis.
     
  3. Berlin Global Village strives for a power-critical, discrimination-sensitive, and diversity-oriented stance—as an organization, as a network, and as a place.
     
  4. At Berlin Global Village, we reject all forms of racism and discrimination, including their intersectional interconnections, and actively and decisively oppose them. Accordingly, Berlin Global Village understands it as a shared responsibility to create a space in which users can engage with one another in a discrimination-sensitive manner.
     
  5. We understand Berlin Global Village as a learning organization and a learning network that is aware of the challenges and complexity involved in dealing with racism and discrimination, and we know that we will make mistakes. We want to learn from these mistakes in solidarity—individually, collectively, and institutionally—and to seek or maintain open and constructive dialogue in all directions.
     
  6. Berlin Global Village acknowledges that Germany is a society shaped by migration and that diversity is its social reality. Berlin Global Village also acknowledges that Germany has a colonial past that continues to have an impact today, and that development cooperation has colonial origins and still carries colonial continuities.
     
  7. At Berlin Global Village, cultural, transcultural, migration and social policy, economic and financial policy, as well as environmental and climate policy debates are conducted from a global perspective. The main thematic areas addressed include: human rights; fair trade and trade justice; climate and resource justice; anti-racism; postcolonialism and decolonization; global learning; food sovereignty; global development policy; and development cooperation.
     
  8. At Berlin Global Village, space is rented by those who are interested in collaboration and exchange. Different forms of working are made possible at Berlin Global Village.
     
  9. Berlin Global Village supports smaller associations, initiatives, and activists.

History

 

Year

What

 

Short description

2011 

Foundation of Berlin Global Village e.V.

 

The purpose of the association was to establish a One World Center for Berlin. Prior to this (since June 2010) the "House" working group was part of the Berlin Development Policy Council, which carried out the preparatory work to found the association.  

2015 

Foundation of Berlin Global Village gGmbH

 

A second non-profit with a different legal form was established. This was in case we want to build structures or buy ourselves - which is what ultimately happened.

2017 

Moved into the "old building" at Am Sudhaus with 8 NGOs 

 

Berlin Global Village e.V. was the main tenant with 7 NGOs as subtenants. This was ur starting point to gain a foothold on the Kindl-Areal.

2018 

Purchased the "old building" under heritable building rights

 

We bought the "old building" on a leasehold basis from Terra Libra Immobilien / Edith Maryon Foundation. Term: 100 years!

2018 

Joint planning phase for the "new building" with participatory workshops

 

Which areas should be created as meeting places? How many seminar rooms do we need? Barrier-free toilets on every floor are important to us! All of this was discussed with the future NGO tenants and architects in the planning stage. 

2019 

Construction of the "new building" began

 

With a wonderful celebration to mark the laying of the foundation stone in late summer.

2020 

Corona pandemic

 

The "old building" had almost died out, but despite all the obstacles, we managed to keep the construction site going without delays.

2021 

Moved into "new building" with 37 NGOs

 

The rush of NGOs was huge. We could have allocated twice the space. Moving in under corona conditions: Only one NGO per time slot - spread over 2 weeks.

2021 

Opening party for the "new building"

 

A small opening party with the Senator for Economic Affairs and District Mayor.

2022 

Completion of refurbishment of the "old building"

 

The first floor of the "old building" was extensively converted into an event floor with a large hall and digital learning room.

2022 

Opening festival at the One World Center (BGVestival) 

 

An exhuberant opening party with 300 guests, Senator for Economic Affairs, District Councillor, lots of political exchange and great bands.

2023 

Ownership transfers to BER, AfrikaRat, moveGlobal. Dissolution of BGV e.V.

 

The center ownership was transfered to three regional associations, which together represent over 180 development and migrant-diasporic NGOs.

2023 

Start of the competition for the Decolonial Monument

 

A worldwide competition for a work of art on the theme of decolonization, which will be located at the Berlin Global Village. A unique project in Berlin to date.