House groups
House groups
Self-organized house groups in the IBZ
The International Meeting Centre Peace House (IBZ) is home to about 29 international, politically and/or culturally active groups. Some of these groups have existed since the foundation of the house and/or even helped to build the IBZ.
The house groups regularly use the IBZ to meet, discuss or celebrate. In some cases, children are also taught in their mother tongue and in dances and culture of the region of origin.
Every three months, the house groups meet to settle all matters that concern them themselves and to network with each other.
ARASGUI e.V. is an association of Guinean citizens, friends and sympathizers.
The association connects people from Guinea who live in Bielefeld and the surrounding area.
Meetings are held regularly on 1. Sunday of the month from 3 p.m. in the IBZ.
For 16 years we have been with IBZ and are committed to sports, culture (home culture, children's culture festival), integration.
every 2nd Sunday from 2 pm, in the canteen
Contact: Amdemichael Ermyas
E-mail: amadudem10@gmail.com
Bayanihan Pilipino e.V. was founded in April 1990 to strengthen and strengthen German-Philippine friendships on the one hand, and to familiarize the Filipino children born and/or growing up here in Germany with Philippine culture and life on the other. We, the Bayanihan Pilipino e.V., currently have about 50 members, German and Filipino, but mostly Filipino.
We meet every Friday afternoon at the IBZ to be together and talk. In 1995 we started an annual project in our home country Philippines, such as the completion of a covered bus stop or a basketball court with baskets.
The Eritrean women's group was founded about 30 years ago by women who fled Eritrea during the war of independence and has existed as a house group in the IBZ for about as long. Through the participation of women in the struggle, the image of the Eritrean woman began to change in society in the 70s and 80s. The issue of equality became more and more the focus and women began to deal with it intensively.
This newly gained self-confidence was not only limited to Eritrean society, but was also carried into exile, so that almost everywhere in the world where an Eritrean community could be found, a women’s group also existed – as was the case here in Bielefeld.
The aim of the foundation was the mutual support and the mediation of a sense of home in a foreign country. Especially the latter was a very important factor, as the new life in the diaspora was associated with many hurdles, so that they could draw strength from it.
Our group currently has 9 active members.
At our meetings, we address issues that affect Eritrean women in the diaspora and also in Eritrea itself.
In addition to our regular meetings, we also organize celebrations at the IBZ twice a year: One on the occasion of International Women’s Day to recall that today’s state of equality for women should not be taken for granted and is a process that has not yet been completed, and the other on the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities to focus on people, especially women, in Eritrea who need special support.
In addition to our own meetings and celebrations, we also participate in central events of the IBZ in our role as a house group and are pleased that this provides us with a platform to act as a cultural ambassador.
E-mail: eri_frauen_bielefeld@gmx.de
Meeting: Treffen: Jeden 1. Samstag im Monat, ab 15.00 Uhr, im Raum 5
For over 20 years, the Eritrean community has been part of the IBZ. We are very aware of the fact that the IBZ is a platform where the differences and diversity of the groups have their place. Different cultures, origins and focal points of the work exist as in a mosaic harmoniously side by side and with each other.
The Eritrean community is also at the forefront of the IBZ Peace House’s mission statements – such as its commitment to the interests of its national and foreign citizens, the rights of refugees and minorities, a more humane multicultural society and against human rights violations and xenophobia. Through events (films, exhibitions, information evenings, music and dances) we have been able to make many friends in recent years. In the IBZ and in cooperation with the Welthaus, the Eritreans worked hard for freedom and self-determination. Today, they are trying to cultivate the land and maintain peace in Eritrea.
Our community has over 60 adult members. In addition to the above-mentioned events, their activities are also aimed at children and young people born in Germany.
The main areas of work are:
Mother tongue lessons for children, adolescents and adults
Mediation of the ‘abc’ of Eritrean culture to those born here
Support for reconstruction projects in Eritrea
Participation in the design of the IBZ activities
We meet once a month, every second Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
We discuss our lives and political issues as well as recommendations on living in Germany.
Every Sunday from 10am to 12pm, we help children learn our native language and talk about our culture and music
Family Future im is an open and intercultural community for families, single people and especially single mothers with a migration history.
Our work focuses on support, exchange, empowerment and social participation. We want to create a protected space in which people can meet, strengthen each other and jointly find solutions to challenges in everyday life.
The house group is committed to democracy, diversity, equal opportunities and respectful cooperation in everyday life. Our goal is to promote the peaceful coexistence of different cultures and to support people in actively participating in social life.
Through joint activities, we promote social contacts, mutual assistance and intercultural exchange. These include workshops, encounter evenings, family actions, cultural events and projects against racism and exclusion.
Family Future stands for community, solidarity and a strong future for families and single people from different backgrounds and generations.
Together we are strong 💪🏾
The Young Future Initiative at the IBZ Friedenshaus e.V. is an intercultural youth initiative for girls and boys. She is the younger sister of the house group Family Future and emerged from the joint work and numerous successful projects.
The focus is on young people who want to actively shape their future. The initiative offers them an open space for encounter, exchange, participation and joint commitment. Here they can contribute their ideas, develop their skills and take responsibility for themselves and society.
The young people are particularly committed to topics such as democracy, diversity, cohesion, equal opportunities and social participation. Through creative, cultural, social and educational projects, community, empowerment and intercultural exchange are promoted.
The aim of the Young Future Initiative is to empower young people, make their voices visible and encourage them to actively work for an open, solidarity-based and diverse society.
Young Future is the youth house group of the IBZ Friedenshaus e.V. and is committed as an initiative for diversity, democracy, social participation and the empowerment of young people. Together, girls and boys shape a future-oriented and diverse society.