Refuge and Asylum

exilio consists of a group of volunteers, all with different professional backgrounds coming together in order to help survivors of torture and asylum seekers in need. exilio was founded in 1995 and is a recognised non-profit making organisation and has offical recognition as a charity. exilio is a member of a nationwide association for the psychological and social welfare of refugees and victims of torture and a recognised charity in Bavaria.

North-South educational work has received more attention during the course of the Agenda 21 projects. Educational and public relations work of the initiative on a regional level are particularly important.

In Lower Saxony, the North South work initiative mainly comprises volunteer NGOs. One objective is the professionalization of their educational and public relations work. In some cities, the expansion and development of One-World centers is on the agenda. Global partnerships between the North and South are a main focus (www.globlog.net). The association for educational initiatives in Lower Saxony (Verein Niedersächsischer Bildungsinitiativen-VNB) participates in these efforts with new incentives and continuing education programs, especially with respect to global learning in schools.

Since 2004, VNB work also includes environment-related aspects. It promotes education for sustainability in the field of environment. The VNB considers its work to be a component of the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014).

New kinds of exhibitions provide incentives for innovative local educational work

• Global.fair: Fair trade and globalization (www.global-fair.de)
• AIDS: AIDS in Africa (www.aids-truck.de)
• The maze of escape routes: migration, escape, and the situation of refugees in Germany, the threat from the radical right (www.labyrinth-fluchtweg.de)
• Clandestino illegal: migration, illegalization of immigrants, fair-trade products and illegal workers (www.clandestino-illegal.de)
• Masala: cultural exchange – World Music from reggae to hip hop (www.masala-weltmusik.de)

Our multimedia exhibitions take visitors on a tour where they imagine themselves in different roles. Experiencing things from a different perspective can lead to new awareness. Younger people in particular enjoy the multimedia exhibitions. Installed in a trailer truck, they are easily moved and are always an exciting media feature during special project events.