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CULTURE 4 CHANGE

C4C aims to apply culture to make positive change possible. 

Listening to the news these days could make any person feel a little hopeless.  On top of all the complex issues we have not solved yet – from poverty to pandemics, from abuse to obesity, from migration to #metoo – we are warned for effects of climate change that will touch us all. We know that the pandemic is part of the same change as the water-wars that have already begun. Real danger is coming closer, and action is needed.

But what can we do? In the midst of all this insecurity, more and more of us are looking for help, comfort and advice – also to keep our own fear in check.

We have come an incredible way in terms of prosperity, thanks to clever use of rationality and science. But it seems we have lost other forms of meaning in the process.

Mankind lives by the grace of stories that give meaning to our existence – as individuals and as a community. The sum of all these stories is what we call culture. To face the challenges we see coming, we need good stories, now more than ever. New stories have always been inspired by old stories – and then a little change is added.

“Inspiring life in frozen communities.”

Inspiring life in frozen communities.

C4C works on a combination of a deep understanding of stories: cultural norms, values and beliefs from different places and different people. We combine this with a shared understanding of the impact of climate, warfare and poverty. Based on these two pillars we help bring change – together, we create new stories, big or small.

We do this in different ways. One way is by addressing collective trauma. People who cannot fight or flee become paralysed or frozen.

We have seen in many places how communities or groups have given up any hope of improvement. By discovering together what is still possible, what resources are still available, and how we can connect to new information, we always come up with surprising results. We activate frozen communities. By beginning to move again, new forms of cooperation emerge, new sources of income are found, and new stories emerge.

Culture is everywhere: some examples.

We work in Guinee to change the view on female genital mutilation; we work in Burundi to help women look after themselves and become more independent, we work in Cambodia to address domestic violence, and in Belgium and Germany to help isolated immigrants re-socialize.

We respect the local beliefs and find inspiration in working out how local customs can help us better understand our western problems.

We support local organisations and have experience in many different countries and cultures. We use anthropological and medical research, but also theatre and social action. The problem is leading; our network provides the necessary expertise.

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It’s not just about money…

…altough money makes the world go round, there are other things of value to share. We hope that people like the idea of creating networks or groups, agencies, people to work together. The idea is simple: culture offers many powerful incentives to create positive change. Cultural traditions, the arts, applying music, dance, old myths and stories about modern changes … it is good fun, it works, it is respectful and common understanding.

We need ideas, funds, contacts, information, and criticism. Feel free!

Suggestions and questions are welcome at :

info@culture4change.eu