What happens when a human being is significantly different from the people they are surrounded by? To a large degree, this depends on the culture they've grown up in as well as the societal background they live in.
For example, highly individualistic cultures like in many European and Northern American countries value or even celebrate "being oneself" and concepts like authenticity and integrity. That is, unless these individual characteristics run counter to traditional (or not-so-traditional) beliefs about what bodies should look like, what sexual and romantic orientation people should have, or how their brains are supposed to deal with everyday tasks. In other words: what is "normal".
We'll have a look at different dimensions of cultures as well as different dimensions of diversity, and we'll discuss how being “different from the norm" affects individuals and their contexts.
You are welcome to bring your own topics and share your own experiences. Please be willing to question old thought patterns and be open to other life experiences and perspectives. In order to create a safer space for all participants, please adhere to the following:
- Respect others' backgrounds and identities. Do not make assumptions or judgments on anyone's characteristics.
- Respect others' physical and emotional boundaries as well as your own. Nobody will be pushed to share anything they don't want to share.
- What happens in Düsseldorf, stays in Düsseldorf. Do not share anyone's personal stories outside the workshop.
- The workshop will start on time so that we can create a joint foundation for an open and honest discussion.
I'm looking forward to an inspiring workshop with you!
Short vita
Andrea Cuda, M.A. M.Sc., is deeply interdisciplinary at heart.
Based on her master's degrees in English and Linguistics as well as Information Systems, and her experience as a trainer in English for Specific and Academic Purposes, her main focus as a systemic coach and trainer lies on otherness and communication - or communicating otherness. She has always been "a little different from the other kids" and has spent years discovering cultural, societal and individual layers of diversity, most recently in her current studies in psychology (hopefully adding another B.Sc. to her portfolio in but a couple of years).
She lives in Essen with her nesting partner of 20+ years, their twins, two cats, a chameleon and a handful of fish.
Notes
Please accept that we charge for this event in order to pay for the rent of the room. It would be unfair to include the rent into the base fee of the IBD
+ 2025 making everyone pay for it instead of just those attending the presentations and workshops. Furthermore, experience from former annual gatherings in Germany have shown that if a presentation or workshop has a price tag rather those interested sign up for it thus offering them a better chance to get a slot. Thank you.
Directions (from IBD Hotel)
Walking time 15 minutes (600 m)
- Take the foot bridge in front of Maritim Hotel towards the airport terminal C
- Go to the level for departures
- Walk through the terminal passing the first "airplane finger" to which the airplanes dock
- DUS Conference plus is near the second "airplane finger"
- You'll find an escalator ("Rolltreppe") to take you up to DUS Conference plus
