living incompatible worlds

Making the possible possible with Urban cultures as bridges between Africa And Europe (ANSA e.V. Conference 2014)

'living incompatible worlds'

is a most beautiful concept 

as I believe most of us say merging incompatible worlds to be impossible

while living this merger possible at the same time.

Living it possible?

Yes, in our everyday actions and encounters

each and everyone practices unconsciously what our rational mind would consider 

impossible - incompatible.

And this I saw to be the case especially regarding the subject of 

Modern Science and Spirituality: 

Implications for development in Africa and in Europe

As behind this rather academically sounding title 

lays a universe 

origin to many of the current challenges we are facing both - 

in Africa and in Europe.

What would happen if we would consciously embrace that ...

>> modern and traditional healthcare go together?

>> traditional and modern political systems go hand in hand?

>> traditional and modern religions live with each other?

>> etc. ...

And the more:

what would be, if we would embrace, that this is something, 

which is already happening? 

Questions and considerations I am looking forward to have discussed during the upcoming ANSA e.V. conference in Bayreuth with my most favourite speaker:

LOOK behind the scene

My personal faves of the behind the scenes O. Look shootings. 

What I learned from it - 

with the good vibes around you can excel your camera looks to the max. 

Cause the fun and relaxation you feel is what you give to the camera. 

Much love to the master of beautiful atmospheres Ernest O. Look 

and the entire team 

and to the successful launching 

of the O. Look look to Berlin's streets!

tell your beautiful story

when she says:

'Forget about likeability.

Likability is an essential part of the space you occupy in the world. 

That you are supposed to twist yourself into shapes to make yourself likeable.

That you are supposed to hold back, pull back, don't quite say, don't be too pushy

because you have to be likeable.

And I say that is bullshit.

You will be so concerned about not offending

and that is going to ruin your story.'

Deep, encouraging, challenging words

that help me a lot in pursuing my 

dreams, potentials, business ventures.

Visions

Some wise words there from my dear colleague Elisabeth Kaneza ...

über die Kreativität von Stipendiaten

ANSA Insights - wie diese deutschen und afrikanischen (Ex-)Stipendiaten die Welt verstehen

Hinter den Kulissen passiert so viele gemeinsames.

Die Insights des Alumni Netzwerks Subsahara Afrika e.V. bringen auf die Bühne, was die (ehemaligen) Stipendiaten des Deutschen Akademischen Austauschdienstes kreieren.

Aber lest selbst :-)

the video girl

"Are you going to be the video girl?" 

It was Wanlov, chilling next to me on the hill,

glancing at the entirety of  Glastonbury Festival craziness in the beneath valley.

I didn't even know that the word exists.

But sure, why not.

So I got to be the video girl,

Wanlov the Kubolor 's and Silvastone Beats 's "Never go leave you" video girl. 

It gave me the most beautiful inside to this side of the music industry. 

What it is that it takes for a music video.

Not much.
To my surprise.

A mobile phone with the song. 

And a Go Pro.

And yet so much. 

A crew creating the good vibes - the atmosphere of the song. Determining spaces to set the story of the song. Creating the space to tell the story of the song. Creating the space for everyone in the video to feel the song, the tunes, the story and perform the story.  Opening spaces of the unknown, to create the right moments of laughter, fun, to do the right thing at the right time. Catching the right moment with the camera. Cutting the right moment from the camera. Creating a video that will take along the people that listen to the song, to hear the story, to see the story, to feel the story, to emerge with the story, to make it their song - their story.

Unique skills Wanlov and Silvastone put out there.

Just my type of a challenge - I enjoyed.

@ANSA e.V. Conference Frankfurt am Main 10/2012

talking on shaping higher education Germany/Africa

What, so the question leading heated discussion @the annual ANSA e.V. conference Frankfurt, can one do with regard to the challenges faced in economic, ecological and (higher) education structures in African countries?*

Such were the questions driving the gathering of the young attendees from various African countries as well as from Germany. Invest into Banks - was the interesting approach presented by the African Development Cooperation. Development aid, as one of the attendees highlighted, could had not been the solution - despite being perpetuated by African as much as by the German/ European actors. Eco-friendly technology - amazing! BUT the preoccupation remained: how could one raise the sense of achievement with the various attempts and activities in place or that are planned to be put in place?

Engage in discussions, was the call of Christel Gbaguidi, ask those people that you want to work with, what their challenges are. Now listen to the solutions they come up with. It is with their solutions that you can use to start figuring what would be interesting and viable for you to contribute.*

I suppose it is the listening to solutions, which, in so many occasions, we are skipping over hastily.

*indirect quotes - wording may divert from original contribution