GCDN Annual Convening – Athens 2024

As a species, humans are inherently migratory. It is our nature to explore our world and seek ways to improve our lives. Nevertheless, recent years have seen a significant rise in global migration rates, influenced by a multitude of factors ranging from economic disparities to geopolitical unrest.

Public spaces have always held a pivotal role as centres for human interaction and cultural exchange, serving as platforms for the sharing of stories, perspectives, and welcome. Independent of political agendas they contribute to processes of welcoming, cultural integration, and social cohesion by providing access to new experiences of meaningful urban, cultural, and community life. 

What does that look like in practice? How do these processes unfold, and what impact do they have? What does genuine inclusivity look like, and how can it be effectively cultivated? 

This session aims to explore these questions in the local context by focusing on three Athens-based initiatives working to encourage successful cultural integration through public space activation via music, theatre, and sport.