The ACCT Project Journeys to Sweden: ALF Celebrating Our Diversity Forum
On October 16–18, the sixth regional forum of the dynamic Anna Lindh Foundation, Celebrating Our Diversity, brought together intercultural dialogue practitioners in Gothenburg, Sweden. Hosted by the National Museums of World Culture, the event promoted the values of “Living Together” by facilitating discussion, networking, and shared learning opportunities among cultural practitioners from across Europe and the Mediterranean.
Throughout the event, participants engaged in meaningful exchanges on topics like social innovation, diversity in community work, and digital storytelling. The program highlights included several open mic sessions, where passionate attendees shared impactful projects from their communities, showcasing how creativity, empathy, and civic spirit can transform societal challenges.
A particularly memorable moment during an open mic session was the inspiring testimony of Margaret Maged, who presented the Antiracism and Civic Courage Training (ACCT) project. Margaret, who arrived in Denmark eleven months ago from a community where diversity is sometimes viewed as a challenge, spoke movingly about the project’s transformative effect on her perspective. She described how ACCT’s Training of Trainers (TOT) workshop, held in Berlin in January 2024, ignited her passion to serve as a facilitator and trainer, spreading the project’s message to young students in schools. Her mission became clear: to promote civic courage, empower students to confront racism, and foster empathy and a sense of justice.
Beyond individual testimonies, the forum saw a dynamic gathering of over 50 intercultural dialogue practitioners, representing NGOs, academic institutions, and civil society organizations. Attendees also enjoyed networking activities, cultural visits, and the opportunity to build partnerships across borders, strengthening the Anna Lindh Foundation’s network.
