AKTO was delighted to host the event “Conversing with Gen Z about Gender Equality,” organized by the Diotima Centre. The event took place on Friday, 04/19, as part of the EQUAL_GEN program, and was open to the public.
At the event, through speeches, presentations & discussion, as well as through parallel activities, a holistic approach was undertaken to the ways in which we can —all together— work with Gen Z, for a world of gender justice.
The event was addressed by Despoina Stamataki (Project Manager, Diotima Centre) and a representative of the organization Active citizens fund. In the section “Advocacy for Gender Rights,” speakers included Maria Tzavara (Member of the Advocacy Team, Diotima Centre) and Sofia Zachariadi (Coordinator of Community Information and Empowerment Workshops, Emantes). In the section “Art and Communication as a Vehicle for Awakening,” speakers included: Evi Nakou (Musician – Researcher), Michalis Afolanio (Anasa Manager & Natasa Chanta-Martin, Anasa member), Gloria Nzanga (Anasa/EqualGen Artist), Christialena Giannou (Anasa/EqualGen Artist), Natasa Kefallinou & Marianna Stefanitsi (Communications Office, Diotima Centre).
AKTO Gallery presented an exhibition of multimedia works produced in the workshops, along with rich material from the #Equal_Gen campaign. Visual designs, collages, paintings, masks, and participatory installations were created by participating individuals experimenting with various artistic practices. Through this exhibition activity, Diotima explores the role of art in building a world of gender equality.
Also, during the event, the documentary “Approaching Gender Equality Through Art” (duration: 20 min) was screened.
The speakers conveyed useful information and experiences to the audience, while discussions with those present explored methods to cultivate a culture of awareness, education, and consensus on equality issues, with the new generation as the primary vehicle for dissemination.
A few words about EQUAL_GEN
The EQUAL_GEN project is implemented within the framework of the Active citizens fund program, with the Diotima Centre as the implementing body and Emantes and Anasa Cultural Center as partners. The Active citizens fund program, amounting to €15 million, is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway and is part of the European Economic Area (EEA) financial mechanism for the period 2014–2021, known as EEA Grants. The program aims to empower and enhance the sustainability of civil society and to highlight its role in promoting democratic processes, strengthening citizen participation in public affairs, and defending human rights. The management of the Active citizens fund program grant for Greece has been jointly undertaken by the Bodossaki Foundation and SolidarityNow.