The Big Coming Out

One aim of the workshop was to show up some product which was done by ourselves and reflects to the concept of Right to the City. In order to present it we got the occasion to invite people for a panel discussion to Sirály Cafe, Budapest. Four members from the workshop talked with the moderator about the theoretical background, about practical methods and about personal experiences.

Diana Szántó, Tessza Udvarhelyi, Peter Michalik, Jitka Molnarova, Adam Zajac and Zsuzsi Posfai, photo by Misenka

After that an exchange of views took place between the speakers and the audience, which showed that a many people are interested and involved in civic movements in Budapest. As from the conversation was spotted the biggest problem of the non-profit organizations are the temporary existing resources and the lack of co-operation.

photo by Misenka

It's true that there were many similar round table consultations but nothing too much happened after that. In one hand there are many examples for the co-work of the locally fixed initiatives (e.g. 6th, 7th and 8th districts, in Budpest) but on the other hand the people have to learn that democracy needs active participation and so the NOPs are going to work more efficiently if they get the support of the organized minorities or of the whole society.

Besides the discussion we were preparing an exhibition as well. All of us had to take photos in our hometown about the appearance or the lack of this right we were dealing with. The main topics are the social processes of urbanization, changing spaces and reclaiming public spaces. The collection of the workshops's participants is open until 15th of April in Sirály Cafe (Budpaest, VII. Király street 50.), for more pictures visit our picasa album.

photo by Misenka