Adiós “Images of – Latin America” – A project comes to an end, but the connections remain.
In April 2025, our project came to an end — and we look back with gratitude and pride on two and a half years filled with encounters, collaboration, and shared learning experiences.
Since the end of 2022, “Images of – Latin America”, a cooperation between Bündnis Eine Welt Schleswig-Holstein e.V. (BEI) and Heinrich Böll Foundation Schleswig-Holstein e.V., has pursued the goal of creating new perspectives on global issues by connecting civil society initiatives, organizations, and activists from Schleswig-Holstein and various regions of Latin America. What began as an idea grew into a vibrant network that has learned from one another, worked together, and developed new, more nuanced images of each other.
We reflected on how the images we have of one another are shaped — by history, media, education, and social narratives. In many cases, these images are one-sided, stereotypical, or incomplete, leading to misunderstandings, distortions, and imbalances of power. Through direct collaborations, regular digital exchanges, and joint projects, we aimed to create space for new, more complex, and mutually respectful perspectives that promote a differentiated global understanding.
In international cooperation projects, our participants from different regions of Latin America and Schleswig-Holstein came together to raise awareness and develop solutions on topics such as climate justice, feminism, Indigenous perspectives, mental health, digitalization, and urban agriculture — working as equals, from multiple perspectives, and with a hands-on approach. In doing so, social, political, and ecological issues were placed in a global context and shared challenges became visible. The collaboration strengthened existing partnerships, created new connections, and promoted the building of sustainable networks. What emerged were not only products such as educational materials, podcasts, exhibitions, or videos — but above all, personal connections, trust, and a desire to continue working together.
There were many special moments: our project team's journey to Chile, Bolivia, and Colombia, where we visited partner organizations, held workshops, and had the chance to get to know the countries and their people. The Spring School 2024 in Scheersberg, where our participants from Schleswig-Holstein and Latin America experienced an intensive week full of exchange, joint work, and personal connections. And of course, our many digital meetings — from a festive Christmas gathering to thematic online events, which made closeness possible despite the physical distance. These encounters have shown us: global exchange works when we approach it with openness, respect, and curiosity.
"I feel like I see a great willingness in Latin America to continue working together and supporting each other — and in Germany, this curiosity and openness to receive messages and methodologies, so that we can all exchange ideas and learn from one another."
The second project phase (from June 2024) continued to be lively and dynamic: projects were further developed, new formats were tried out, and knowledge was shared. Two digital events on climate justice & climate resilience and a critical perspective on global partnerships set important thematic highlights — planned and shaped together with the participants. At the final network meeting in April 2025, the atmosphere was warm and full of appreciation. Many expressed the wish to stay in touch — and we are convinced that this network will continue to exist beyond the project.
Of course, there were also challenges: different time zones, languages, expectations; existing power dynamics, limited resources, time pressure — and the constant search for digital formats that truly include everyone. But it was precisely here that the strength of the project lay: remaining flexible, listening, and growing together.
As a result of the project, numerous creative educational formats were developed, including podcasts, videos, exhibitions, educational materials, events, and more — all of which have been compiled in a product catalogue and made accessible for further use. This catalogue documents the diversity of contributions that emerged and offers the opportunity to use them in educational work, project development, or transnational exchange.
One thing that became very clear to me [through the project] is that the world is constantly changing and in different processes. That there are no perfect places, everything is in flux, and we should learn to observe ourselves more and judge less — so that we can contribute resiliently and constructively.
What remains is so much more than a collection of results. It’s new friendships, strengthened trust, a shared understanding of global challenges — and the experience that genuine collaboration across continents is possible.
We sincerely thank everyone who participated, supported, shaped, and inspired this project. Thank you for your ideas, your time, your perspectives — and for everything that has emerged from them.
This was Images of – Latin America. Until next time!
You can find the product catalogue in german and spanish here:
