Workshop: Radical Futures from the Margins

Community Action

Jun 20, 2025

11:00

-

14:00

ALAB

Sliding scale starting at €5 and education events are free, if you do not have means to purchase a ticket please email us.
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How do we move beyond symbolic allyship and create real, lasting change, led by those directly impacted by displacement?

How do we move beyond symbolic allyship and create real, lasting change, led by those directly impacted by displacement?
Join us for an urgent and inspiring dialogue on refugee-led futures. This dynamic session delves into the power of grassroots leadership, global justice, and resistance to hate politics, reimagining how structural change can emerge from the ground up.
Facilitated by the brilliant Domenica Ghidei, we will challenge conventional approaches to allyship and explore what it means when lived experience, dignity, and agency shape leadership.
How can refugee voices not only be heard, but lead? What does true reciprocity and shared ownership look like in practice? And how can we move beyond paternalism to build transformative spaces that foster empowerment and inclusion?
Expect deep reflection, thought-provoking dialogue, and bold visions for the future. This session is an open call for diverse perspectives, pushing us to redefine collaboration, share narratives, and co-create action that drives meaningful change. Let’s build radical futures, together!
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Domenica Ghidei Biidu is a member of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance and sits on the advisory board of Knowledge Platform Integration & Society, Atria Knowledge Institute, Amsterdam University College, Prodemos and Nidos. She is vice-chairwoman of the Disputes Committee for Appropriate Education and chairwoman of the National Advisory Committee on Admission for Special Educational Needs Education (LBT).
Elena Ponzoni is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at VU Amsterdam. In 2017, she co-founded the Refugee Academy with Professor Halleh Ghorashi to create spaces that center the perspectives and knowledge of refugee communities in both societal and academic dialogues. She also serves as the director of the Co-Creation for Inclusive Knowledges Lab at the Faculty of Social Sciences (VU Amsterdam).
Yordi Lassooy-Tekle is a passionate advocate for inclusive policies, social cohesion, and community-driven solutions. Yordi works to re-empower marginalized communities, particularly refugees, women, and youth, while also fostering connection and mutual understanding with host communities. Believing that integration is a two-way process, Yordi actively promotes both empowerment and awareness-raising to ensure meaningful and sustainable inclusion. With a strong background in humanitarian initiatives, she is committed to breaking down barriers, building bridges, and driving impactful projects that strengthen equity, social justice, and collective resilience.
Rahel Boon-Dejene is a social entrepreneur focused on migration and labor inclusion. A former asylum seeker, she leverages her experience to enhance integration efforts. As chair of the African Diaspora Policy Center and co-founder of the Platform for Migration and Integration, she connects policy with grassroots action. Her work empowers migrants economically while driving systemic change, believing diversity strengthens society.