Perspectives of Sustainable Prides and Festivals

Panel discussion
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Event will be held in English.

At a time when society is becoming more aware of the impact that we have on the environment, many organizations are also working towards a more sustainable future. Sustainable development comprises three pillars: environmental, social, and economic. How does the organization of major events or festivals integrate all of the three levels of sustainability? What is the practical experience of organizing different international festivals and events? Guest speakers will present their experiences with integrating sustainable practices in the organization and delivery of events.

Guests:

• Wendla Schaper, activist, Germany;
• Mateja Morić, Reciklart Festival, Slovenia;
• Dina Bajrektarević, member of the organizing committee of BH. Pride March;

Moderation: Manneira Aja Solei, programme coordinator at Ljubljana Pride Association.

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Since 2012, Mateja Morić has been using non-formal education methodology in their work. They worked with adults who commited crime, young people at risk and specifically coming from different marginalised groups, and children. In the last 3 years, they have created, implemented and evaluated different workshops and trainings oriented around LGBTIQ+ community and other marginalised groups. They acquired diverse knowledge through participating and organising different activities that mobilise young people and change. Areas of interest: hate speech, bullying, LGBTIQ+, restorative justice, promotion of volunteering and solidarity. Passionate about diy culture and obsessively upcycling everything, Mateja has been involved with Reciklart festival for the last few years.

Dina Bajrektarević is a long-time activist for the rights of LGBTI persons and the rights of persons with handicap. Currently engaged in the position of executive director of  Tuzla Open Center, a local LGBTI organization that provides a range of services to the LGBTI community, and a member of the BH organizing committee for Pride March. Through her previous engagement, Dina dealt with youth policies, anti-discriminatory policies and the protection of human rights through an intersectoral approach.

By joining protests, Wendla was early on involved in the climate movement. Later they participated in youth politics and European youth conferences to raise awareness on climate change, biodiversity loss and human rights, with a particular focus on LGBTIQ+ rights. They were involved in youth projects that aimed to bring young people from diverse backgrounds in direct conversation with (political) decision  makers. After working with Ljubljana Pride for a year and working intensly on the intersection of LGBTIQ+ with environmental and sustainability topics, Wendla started studying political and sustainability science. Right now they are organizing a Pride in Lüneburg, Germany aiming to include a diverse program and trying to raise awareness on the intersections between Queerness and sustainability!

The activity is part of the project Sustainable Activism, financed by the European Union.

The activity is co-financed by the Office of Youth RS.