CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM
EVENTS
For many human rights defenders (HRDs) and human rights organisations threatened by war and persecution, Germany, and Berlin in particular, has long been a safe haven where they can continue their work and regain their strength. The city’s history offers hope and inspiration, and its many diaspora communities can provide a sense of home.
Today, however, that promise is under strain. As the political debate increasingly focuses on restricting migration, it is becoming harder for human rights defenders to come to Berlin and build a life here. Humanitarian concerns have moved down the federal government’s agenda, with significant cuts to humanitarian aid and reduced admission programmes for people at risk. Bureaucratic hurdles remain high, and even those granted asylum often see no long-term prospect of continuing their human rights work.
As part of our Berlin Hub for Human Rights Defenders programme, join us to discuss the following questions with both parliamentarians and civil society: How can civil society help HRDs in exile find safety and stability in Berlin, especially at a time when political support is shrinking? And how does our society benefit when we listen to them and support their integration?
Jian Omar, Member of the Berlin House of Representatives for the Green Party, will be joining us for the discussion with human rights defenders in exile. The event has been supported by Brot für die Welt. Make sure to register.
PAST EVENTS
Exile Talks: Same Label, Different Treatment
Join us together with Correktiv Exile in Berlin for a discussion on what it means to be in exile in Germany in 2026.
Pub Quiz for Democracy: A Human Rights Pub Quiz
Human Rights Pub Quiz in Berlin, 16 September, for Democracy Day. Seven rounds on human rights, democracy & pop culture. Sign up now!
Belonging Without Othering: Stories, Conversations and Community in Berlin
This July, Berlin Hub by Civil Society Forum e.V., the Democracy & Belonging Forum, and the European Philanthropic Initiative on Migration invite you into an evening around belonging, bridging and community with scholar and social justice thought leader John A. Powell, director of the Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley.
john a. powell will open the evening with reflections on belonging without othering, followed by stories and perspectives from people across Berlin communities.
From there, the space will gradually open into participant-led conversations, shared tables, food, drinks and embodied practices — creating room for people to think together, meet across different experiences and remain in dialogue a little longer than everyday life usually allows. Read more details and rgister for the event HERE.
When Gender Becomes a Target: Discussion on the anti-gender shift in Europe
Across Europe, we are witnessing a coordinated rise in anti-gender politics, from legislative restrictions to public campaigns targeting gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights.
Governments and far-right groups in Italy, Poland, Hungary and some other EU countries challenge gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights by framing them as “ideology.” In Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the situation is often even more severe, with “LGBT propaganda” laws and continuous pressure on civil society.
These trends don’t stop at national borders. They spread through shared messages, partnerships and funding, affecting communities across the region.
On January 20, 10 AM CET, we invite you to join the discussion, where we will take a closer look at the anti-gender shift through the findings of a Policy Paper created by Quarteera with the CSF and the CSF Working Group on Gender Equality.
Quarteera (Germany) will share findings from the policy paper, and speakers from Italy (Certi Diritti), Georgia and Russia (ComingOut Initiative) will share their perspectives and how local civil societies are resisting the anti-gender turn.
Discussion will be held in English. Register for the discussion HERE.
