In the DIWAN project, participatory methods are used to create social places where dialogues about living together in rural and small-town societies can take place. Municipalities in rural areas are challenged by the Immigration Act to organise and shape the coexistence between the long-established and immigrants in such a way that it can be perceived as successful for all. Instead of the term "immigration society", which refers to the political dimension, we use the term "migration society" in the DIWAN project, which emphasises the changes in society.

This involves questions about the extent to which shared values but also different ideas of the "good life" and quality of life can be recognised and dealt with in dialogue. It should be worked out where and how it is possible to compromise. Corresponding misinterpretations should become recognisable as such and resolvable in order to enable a mutual understanding of the other and initially the stranger.

In the three districts of Fulda, Hersfeld-Rotenburg and Vogelsbergkreis, the DIWAN project organised a series of future workshops with different groups of people who have arrived in the region fleeing war and poverty, as well as with 'native' small-town residents with and without experience of involvement in local refugee assistance. A mobile exhibition on the topic of "living together" is currently being developed from these dialogue processes, which are moderated by the staff of the university's Department of Social Work, in a participatory form with interested participants of the future workshops. It will become a crystallisation point for social publics in the region to negotiate and shape a successful coexistence for all in the migration society. Whether and to what extent the exhibition leads to reflection and change in dealing with the foreigner and the foreigner will be examined in a further project phase.

• Sustainably support and shape processes of living together in the migration society;
• Identify goals and ideas of living together in a participatory way;
• Enable mutual understanding of social practices of different social groups;
• Reconstruct different interests and needs in dialogue and relate them to each other;
• Initiate, accompany and analyse community-based learning and participation processes.

The project methodologically follows the principles of action research. In the sense of transdisciplinarity, findings from experience and research processes are gained together with practice partners and fed back into social practice.

The DIWAN project is implemented in the following steps:

1. generating experiential knowledge

Local experiential knowledge about actors, activities, networks and conflicts in the districts of Fulda, Hersfeld-Rotenburg and Vogelsbergkreis was processed in order to directly address local civil society actors and to win them over for the implementation of the dialogue processes.

2. regional dialogue

From December 2018 to September 2019, a total of 16 future workshops were conducted and evaluated in the three districts of Eastern and Northern Hesse. The future workshops created protected spaces in which refugees and local people - including many volunteers involved in social work with immigrants - could express their needs and interests with regard to a successful coexistence. The formats also offered the opportunity to express situations that were perceived as problematic and the experiences made in the process, to shed these negative impressions to some extent, to develop and name future-oriented goals and interests, and finally to consider what it would take to get closer to these goals.

In the spring and summer of 2020, all participants - locals and immigrants - came together in district-related events. Here, the participants of the future workshops were presented with our findings from the future workshops and reflected on them together. We were also able to initiate a change of perspective, so that some ideas about the others were reconsidered. This format for creating social publics could not be carried out everywhere as planned due to the contact restrictions in the course of the Corona pandemic. Therefore, the format was supplemented by telephone contacts, videos and other creative forms of address.

Successful coexistence in the migration society is particularly relevant in times of the Corona pandemic. This is why the DIWAN transfer dialogues were developed in spring 2021, creating further social publics on topics such as normality, housing or conflict.

3. transfer through mobile exhibition

A further and even more comprehensive form of transferring knowledge about living together successfully in a migration society is created with the help of a mobile exhibition on the topic of "Living Together in Eastern Hesse". In small project workshops, creative objects for the exhibition could also be produced in the Corona Summer 2020 with the participants in all previous DIWAN events. Under the direction of exhibition specialist Dr. Georgia Rakelmann, the curatorial narrative of the exhibition has already been formulated together with students.

After the opening of the exhibition on 04.11.2021 in the foyer of the Fulda University and State Library, the exhibition will make its way through the region. Visitors to the exhibition will become part of the social public spheres in which successful coexistence is negotiated. They have to relate to the objects that convey the concrete experiences of the designers.

Since we understand transfer as a reciprocal process, the reactions and impressions of the exhibition visitors are also included in a research process so that knowledge about how the migration society can function sustainably can grow.

The DIWAN project invites you to the digital event series DIWAN Transfer Dialogues. The DIWAN Transfer Dialogues are intended to create social publics in dialogue between the university and actors in the region. Findings from the DIWAN project on successful coexistence are presented and put up for discussion in short keynote speeches. In addition, topics are taken up that are current and relevant for the practice partners.

The Transfer Dialogues will take place as an online conference with BigBlueButton. We ask you to register at diwan(at)lists.hs-fulda.de if possible one week before the respective transfer dialogue. You will receive the access data by e-mail after registration.

The following Transfer Dialogues have already taken place:

1st DIWAN Transfer Dialogue

Wed. 28.04.2021, 17:00-18:30
Normality in living together: Differences and similarities
All people have ideas of normality, locals, engaged and refugees have similar and different ideas of a normal life. Can we bring this together through conversation?

2nd DIWAN Transfer Dialogue

Thu. 20.05.2021, 17:00-18:30
There is always conflict! Dealing wisely with conflicts in the community
Differences and conflicts are commonplace, so they are not a problem. Conflicts can be solved through exchange - they can become fruitful for new and good forms of living together.

3rd DIWAN Transfer Dialogue

Thurs. 24.06.2021, 17:00-18:30
Living and belonging
A roof over your head must be enough, right? Housing enables privacy and self-determination. These are the prerequisites for arriving and becoming part of a community.

4th DIWAN Transfer Dialogue

Wed. 27.10.2021, 17:00-18:30
Integration commissions as "new" actors in the community
Integration commissions represent a new approach in Hesse to reorganising the self-representation of foreigners in the migration society. What opportunities and challenges does this present for the participation of migrants and refugees in the community?

5th DIWAN Transfer Dialogue

Wed. 24.11.2021, 17:30-18:20 (as part of the 4th RIGL-Fulda Regional Innovation Conference)
Social togetherness in the Corona pandemic
The boundaries of social togetherness have been redrawn in the times of Corona, as perceived togetherness goes beyond social contact. How did social distancing manifest itself in the community? Who was allowed to participate? Who was not included?

6th DIWAN Transfer Dialogue

Thurs. 24.02.2022, 17:00-18:30
Friendship and/or helping relationship? - Social relationships between committed and refugee people
Committed and refugee people have shared and conflicting expectations of a social relationship. How can mutual ideas and demands be formulated and related to each other?

7th DIWAN Transfer Dialogue

Wed. 29.06.2022, 17:00-18:30
Challenges for voluntary engagement due to refugee migration from Ukraine
With impulses from refugee initiatives in Eastern Hesse
Since the war against Ukraine, more and more refugees have been seeking protection in Eastern Hesse and often experience a great willingness to accept them. What does this mean for local coexistence and for the commitment to refugees?

8th DIWAN Transfer Dialogue

Tues. 06.09.2022, 17:00-18:30
Civic education, democratisation and integration in the migration society
In our society, which is shaped by migration, different ideas of democracy, integration and coexistence of native and multi-native people meet. What contribution can political education make to stimulate dialogue and enable mutual understanding?
With impulses from Isabell Post, Volkshochschule des Landkreises Fulda, Director of Studies Society and Matthias Feuerstein, Akademie BURG FÜRSTENECK, Programme Director "Socio-political Education".

9th Transfer Dialogue

Tues. 09.05.2023, 17:30-19:00
Active participation in society
During the panel and group discussion "Let's talk - My way to active participation in society" on 24.03.2023, we heard from people with and without refugee experience what motivated them to get involved in society.
In the context of the transfer dialogue, we would like to pick up on the discussion and develop ideas and suggestions with you on how to support active participation in society and reduce difficulties.
As an introduction to the discussion, Khulud Sharif-Ali and Ahmad Bayan will give a short interview about their commitment to human and women's rights and the Welcome In! Fulda.

The mobile exhibition "Zusammen:Leben in Osthessen" (Living together in Eastern Hesse) is an interactive exhibition on the successful coexistence of long-term residents and newcomers in Eastern Hesse, which was created thanks to the support of DIWAN's practice partners. Students from the Department of Social Work were also involved in the design of the exhibition, which is curated by Dr. Georgia Rakelmann.

The exhibition invites people to look at living together in East Hesse from new perspectives. It picks up statements from people in Eastern Hesse - and sets the mood for conversation. It shakes up old certainties and shows how migration in the region is steeped in history.

The exhibition opened on Thursday, 4 November 2021 on the campus of Fulda University of Applied Sciences and has since been travelling through the region of Eastern Hesse:

04.11.2021 to 14.12.2021:
Foyer of the University and State Library on the campus of Fulda University of Applied Sciences

08.02.2022 to 23.02.2022:
Assembly hall of the vocational schools, Auestr. 30, 36179 Bebra

12.07.2022 to 27.07.2022:
Haus der Familie/Stadtteilbüro Ostend, Gallasiniring 30, 36043 Fulda

22.09.2022 to 05.10.2022 (as part of the Intercultural Week):
"Open spaces - VIELERLEI" by the association Gelebte Inklusion Lauterbach, Landknechtsweg 5, 36341 Lauterbach

06.10.2022 to 04.11.2022:
Bonifatiushaus, Neuenberger Str. 3-5, 36041 Fulda

19.04.2023 to 28.04.2023
Nordend District Office, Magdeburger Strasse Fulda 65-67, 36037 Fulda

23.05.2023 to 20.06.2023
Foyer of the University and State Library on the campus of the University of Applied Sciences Fulda

Press release with further information on the exhibition.

Click here to go directly to the exhibition page.

Lectures

Alisch, Monika/Ritter, Martina/Hufeisen, Jonas (2022): Democracy in discussion: social innovation in the transfer process. Lecture at the lecture series "5 Jahre RIGL-Fulda. Innovation for Health and Quality of Life", RIGL-Fulda, 20.10.2022.

Alisch, Monika/Ritter, Martina (2022): Zur Neubestimmung des Transferbegriffs: Soziale Öffentlichkeiten als Konzept lokaler sozialer Innovationen. Lecture at the annual conference of the German Society for Social Work (DGSA). Wiesbaden, 30.04.2022.

Alisch, Monika/Mamajanyan, Tatevik/Hille, Catharina/Hufeisen, Jonas/Ritter, Martina (2021) Öffentliche Versammlungsorte für erfolgreich moderierte Konfliktbearbeitung. Lecture at the final conference MigraChance - Local Migration-Related Conflicts in the Context of Social Change, University of Applied Sciences Erfurt, 22.09.2021.

Alisch, Monika/Ritter, Martina (2021): Ins Gespräch gehen - Warum soziale Innovationen manchmal so unscheinbar wirken ... Vortrag beim RIGL Online-Impuls, RIGL-Fulda, 29.06.2021.

Alisch, Monika (2021): Places of Assembly in the Migration Society - Experiences of Difference and the Potential of the Common. Lecture at the 19th GWA Workshop: Sharing Space - Spatial Planning, Participation Formats, Interventions. Eisenach, 14-16.06.2021.

Alisch, Monika/Ritter, Martina/Hille, Catharina/Hufeisen, Jonas/Mamajanyan, Tatevik (2021): Social public spheres in the small-town migration society. Lecture at the Interdisciplinary Symposium "Klein(e) Stadt ganz groß?", HochschulCampus KleinstadtForschung (HCKF) at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU), 28.05.2021.

Ritter, Martina/Alisch, Monika (2021): Generating competence and knowledge: Assembly Places for Negotiation of Interests and Everyday life routines in rural Germany. Presentation at 10th European Conference for Social Work Research. University of Bucharest, 05.-07.05.2021.

Alisch, Monika/Ritter, Martina/Mamajanyan, Tatevik/Hille, Catharina/Hufeisen, Jonas (2021): Places of Assembly in the Migration Society - Fields of Tension, Experiences of Difference and the Potential of the Common. Lecture at the Trinational Conference of the DGSA, OGSA and SGSA, 24.04.2021.

Alisch, Monika/Ritter, Martina (2020): Virtual Places of Assembly: Conversations on Successful Coexistence. Lecture and discussion café at the 3rd Regional Innovation Conference, RIGL-Fulda, 18.11.2020.

Hille, Catharina/Hufeisen, Jonas/Mamajanyan, Tatevik (2020): Die Hochschule als Transfer-Einrichtung - Initiieren und begleiten von Dialogprozessen in der Migrationsgesellschaft. Lecture at conference Selbstgewusst! Creating Knowledge Together, wissnet, 12.11.2020.

Hufeisen, Jonas/Alisch, Monika (2020): Places of assembly in the small-town migration society. Lecture at the informal network meeting "Small Town Research", BBSR/Thünen Institute for Rural Areas, Berlin 06.03.2020.

Alisch, Monika/Ritter, Martina (2019): Places of Assembly for Living Together in the Migration Society - Fields of Tension, Experiences of Difference and the Potential of the Common. Lecture at the CeSSt Research Colloquium. Fulda, 04.12.2019.

Alisch, Monika/Ritter, Martina (2019): Participatory research never being neutral: Facilitating Participation in public sphere reflecting hierarchies in local contexts. Presentation at CARN-ALARA Conference 2019 Imagine Tomorrow: Practitioner Learning for the Future. Split, Croatia, 18.10.2019.

Alisch, Monika/Ritter, Martina (2019): DIWAN - Gathering Places for Dialogue, Reflection and Change of Perspective of Social Work in the Field of Action Flight and Migration. Lecture at the annual conference of the German Society for Social Work (DGSA). Stuttgart, 26.04.2019.

Alisch, Monika/Ritter, Martina (2019): DIWAN - Good co-existence in the Emigration Society: Action Research with volunteers in refugee aid, refugees and citizens in rural communities in Germany. Presentation at European Conference for Social Work Research. Leuven, Belgium, 10-12.04.2019.

Alisch, Monika/Ritter, Martina (2019): DIWAN - Gelingendes Zusammenleben in der Einwanderungsgesellschaft. Lecture at the East Hessian Health Day. Fulda, 02.02.2019.

Publications

Alisch, Monika/Ritter, Martina/Hille, Catharina/Hufeisen, Jonas/Mamajanyan, Tatevik (2022): Social publics of small-town urbanity in the context of migration society. In: Gribat, Nina/Ülker, Bariş/Weidner, Silke/Weyrauch, Bernhard/Ribbeck-Lampel, Juliane (eds.): Kleinstadtforschung. Interdisciplinary Perspectives. Bielefeld: transcript Verlag, pp. 147-169.

Alisch, Monika/Ritter, Martina/Hille, Catharina/Hufeisen, Jonas/Mamajanyan, Tatevik (2022): On the Shaping of Living Together in the Migration Society - Fields of Tension, Experiences of Difference and the Potential of Common Ground. In: Baier, Florian/Borrmann, Stefan/Hefel, Johanna M./Thiessen, Barbara (eds.) European Societies between Cohesion and Division. Role, Challenges and Perspectives of Social Work. Social Work Theory, Research and Practice, Vol. 25. Opladen/Berlin/Toronto: Verlag Barbara Budrich, pp. 126-138.

Alisch, Monika/Ritter, Martina (2021): Participation and Public Spheres - Democratizing Society by Participatory Action Research in Social Work. In Educational Action Research, Special Issue "Critical Issues in socially just action research and practice", Guest Editors: V. Duckworth, M. McAteer.

Alisch, Monika/Ritter, Martina (2021): Von der Flüchtlingsunterkunft zum Gemeinwesen - Wohnen als Prozess und soziale Praktik. In: Alisch, Monika/May, Michael (eds.): Ein Dach über dem Kopf - Wohnen als Herausforderung von Sozialraumentwicklung. Contributions to Social Space Research, Vol. 24. Opladen/Berlin/Toronto: Verlag Barbara Budrich, pp. 71-90.

Alisch, Monika/Ritter, Martina (2019): DIWAN - Assembly Places for a Successful Coexistence in the Rural Immigration Society. In: Alisch, Monika (ed.): Zwischenräume. Sozialraumentwicklung in der Migrationsgesellschaft. Contributions to Social Space Research, Vol. 20. Opladen/Berlin/Toronto: Verlag Barbara Budrich, pp. 179-202.

Interview with DIWAN project leaders Prof. Dr. Monika Alisch and Prof. Dr. Martina on the topic of "Virtual Places of Assembly: Conversations about Successful Coexistence":

Interview with Dr Georgia Rakelmann on the exhibition concept of the mobile DIWAN exhibition on living together successfully: