“The Source” (feature, Belgium/Italy/France, original version with German subtitles, 125 min) by Radu Mihaileanu on Wednesday, 09th December 2015 at 6:00 p.m. (1800) at Filmrauschpalast, Lehrter Straße 35, 10557 Berlin-Moabit 14km.org presents the eighth evening screening of the 2015 “14km Film and Discussion Series”: The film, “The Source” (Arabic with German subtitles), is set in a village in North Africa. Director Radu Mihaileanu demonstrates the traditional female duty of hauling water from its mountain source along trails into the village. However, when the women begin to protest and call for an aqueduct, a conflict develops over issues of power, tradition and religion – and above all over gender roles. Following the film screening, special guests and the audience will discuss the role of women and the struggle for women’s rights in the countries and societies of North Africa. Attendance is free, donations are welcome. Facebook-Event The event takes place at Filmrauschpalast cinema, on the 1st floor of the Kulturfabrik's backyard building in Berlin Moabit: Lehrter Straße 35, 10557 Berlin. Films distribution page The 14km Film and Discussion Series 2015 gets sponsorship by budgetary funds of the Federal State of Berlin – Office for Development Cooperation. This is the last of eight 14km Film and Discussion eventsin 2015. The events are dedicatet to a single country or specific topic, in order to give an artistic-documentary impression . The ensuing audience discussion aims to include further informations by an affected person living in Berlin and by an scientific expert, always aiming to make links to North-South relationships. We express thanks for the support:

Seit dem 12. Oktober bin ich nun in Rabat, wo ich für anderthalb Monate in einem Projekt der NGO Chantiers Sociaux Marocains (CSM) arbeite. CSM ist eine gemeinnützige Organisation mit Hauptsitz in Rabat, die verschiedene Projekte in ganz Marokko organisiert beziehungsweise Freiwillige in bestehende Projekte vermittelt, so wie es bei mir der Fall ist. Ich arbeite hier für sieben Wochen im Centre Lalla Meriem, einem Heim für Kinder- und Jugendliche mit und ohne Behinderungen. Mit den anderen marokkanischen Praktikantinen Die meiste Zeit arbeite ich auf der Station mit den Allerkleinsten, den Babys bis circa 2 Jahre. Der Jüngste war zu Beginn meiner Arbeit erst zwei Wochen alt! Die Pflegekräfte sind alle sehr freundlich und die Atmosphäre ist sehr angenehm. Mein Arbeitsalltag besteht meistens aus Flasche geben, wickeln, kuscheln, spielen, ... bei knapp 20 Babys gibt es immer was zu tun. Neben den festen Pflegekräften und Ärztinnen arbeiten dort auch noch andere Praktikantinnen und Freiwillige, die meisten aus Marokko. Neben der Arbeit im Centre Lalla Meriem bin ich häufig im Büro von CSM, das - genauso wie der Centre - sehr zentral in Rabat gelegen ist. Centre Lalla Meriem Die Mitarbeiter sind alle sehr nett und ich habe von ihnen schon viel über die marokkanische Kultur lernen können. Manche der Mitarbeiter wohnen auch im Büro und von daher ist das Büro ein beliebter Treffpunkt für Gemeinschaftsaktionen. Häufig wird zusammen gekocht und gegessen - meistens Tajine, das marokkanische Nationalgericht. Neben mir sind zur Zeit auch noch weitere Freiwillige aus Frankreich, Italien und Deutschland da und eine spanische Mitarbeiterin, die nach einem Freiwilligendienst mit CSM nun fest für die Organisation arbeitet. Manche bleiben so wie ich nur ein paar Monate in Marokko, andere ein ganzes Jahr. Vor zwei Wochen sind wir alle gemeinsam übers Wochenende in den Norden Marokkos verreist - nach Chefchaouen, Tetouan und Fnideq. Im Kandora - das marokkanische Gewand für Zuhause Gemeinsam mit einer anderen deutschen Freiwilligen wohne ich in einer Gastfamilie in der Nachbarschaft Youssoufia. Die Gastfamilie ist sehr lieb und ich fühle mich sehr wohl. Mit dem Petit oder Grand Taxi ist man jederzeit auch schnell in der Innenstadt. Die Taxis fahren von den Taxistationen aus feste Strecken in die anderen Teile von Rabat und funktionieren wie eine Art Shuttlebus - eine Fahrt kostet im geteilten Taxi 5 Dirham (~50 Cent). Die blauen Petit Taxis nehmen im Shuttleverkehr immer drei Fahrgäste mit und sind deshalb wesentlich komfortabler, allerdings fahren sie weniger Strecken ab. Die weißen Grand Taxis, die zwar so heißen, aber eigentlich kaum größer sind, nehmen dafür immer 6 Passagiere mit und fahren auch mehr Strecken ab. Zwei Personen teilen sich den Beifahrersitz vorne, vier weitere quetschen sich hinten auf die Rückbank. Natürlich kann man, wenn man es ganz bequem möchte, sich auch jeder Zeit ein blaues Petit Taxi an der Straße heranwinken und an jedes beliebige Ziel fahren lassen, aber alleine zahlt man dann eben auch den vollen Fahrpreis - und verpasst jede Menge lustige und interessante Begegnungen, die eine Fahrt im Grand Taxi mit sich bringt. Ich bin schon gespannt, was meine restliche Zeit in Marokko noch für Erlebnisse bereithält und bin sehr froh und dankbar dafür, dass ich die Chance hatte, hierher zu kommen. Vielen Dank 14 km e.V. für die Vermittlung dieses Aufenthalts! Tajine zum islamischen Neujahr bei CSM

Thousands of refugees are crossing the border daily into Germany in search of a more secure future. Unlike Germany, in Europe this situation is well-known. The 6th evening in our Film and Discussion Series for 2015 featured Gerardo Olivares’ Film “14 Kilometers – The Pursuit of Happiness” as well as Harald Glöde from Borderline Europe in a panel discussion. As the evening unfolded, we saw that the latest developments filling the news today have long been foreseeable, and could have been far earlier addressed by policies. The film, “14 Kilometers – The Pursuit of Happiness,” accompanies three refugees – Violeta from Mali, along with the two brothers, Buba and Mukela from Niger – on their difficult journey to Europe. From the outset, it is clear that all three have put everything on the table for this journey. The challenges of life as a refugee are clear from the very beginning in Agadez. To get from here to the Algerian border, passengers load into a truck headed for Algeria, constantly harassed at arbitrary checkpoints by corrupt border officials. Those who run out of cash are left to be exploited, working the worst jobs to survive and keep their hopes of onward travel alive. Having fled the prospect of a forced marriage, Violeta ultimately finds herself faced with sexual exploitation on her travels. Explotiation, danger, and an irrepressible will The truck halts in Ténéré desert, northern Niger. The three travellers are facing a walk through the desert (“heading northwest”), aiming for the Algerian Tamanrasset, while the truck continues onwards in a different direction. Violeta, Buba and Mukela become lost. Unable to find the border town between Niger and Algeria, they run circles before falling exhausted under the shade of some acacias. At the last minute, passing Tuaregs are able to save Violeta and Buba. For Mukela, the help arrives too late. On the unforgiving route to Europe, one of only sources of solace is the unconditional hospitality of the traditional, nomadic tribes. Onwards, towards the Algerian-Moroccan border, Violeta and Buba manage to cross the frontier after several attempts, taking advantage of the chaotic bureaucracy. In Morocco, we find the first state authority who does not exploit the refugees, even going so far as to help them. Once in Tangiers, Violeta and Buba give the last of their money to a well-dressed people smuggler who offers to transport them across the Straits of Gibraltar. But after a successful crossing, there is not much time to celebrate. With police in hot pursuit, Violeta and Buba seek cover in the woods, before noticing the Civil Guard officials have turned a blind eye. While they can now travel undisturbed, the refugees realise an uncertain future awaits them. Shot back in 2008, the film shows the long ignored prelude to the present European migration crisis – particularly in this last scene, which aptly highlights the current state of Europe’s external borders. Different escape routes, similar reasons to escape According to Harald Glöde (Borderline Europe) in the post-film audience discussion, the film closely reflects current realities. However, this particular route from Morocco is rarely taken today, with Frontex ships and strict controls blocking passages through the Straits of Gibraltar or to the Canary Islands. Yet, unperturbed by the high, NATO-enforced fences surrounding Ceuta and Melilla, thousands of refugees remain poised in the mountains ready to cross en masse, even if only a few make it across at a time. But as state structures weaken in Mali and Algeria and insecurity grows in the face of Islamist threats, fewer refugees are venturing down such dangerous paths today. Nowadays, the main migration route from Sub-Saharan Africa goes through Agadez, directly towards Libya, where militias finance vast smuggling operations. According to Sea-Watch, there are two well-known transit points where Europe could be directing humanitarian aid. The first is in Libya, from where around 150,000 have journeyed to Italy this year. The other is Greece, which has served as a contact point to the EU for over 450,000 people – not only because the EU’s Dublin regulations have been de facto overruled and refugees are being allowed to travel onwards through Europe, but also due to the simple proximity of Greece to Turkey, where millions of Syrians are already seeking refuge. New Syrian refugees in Europe do not have many other alternatives. In North Africa, Morocco alone is the only country where Syrian refugees can live legally, supported by UNHCR. Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt offer no asylum procedures that would open new perspectives. Here, Syrian refugees face disenfranchisement and discrimination, with few informal labour opportunities. Even richer Arab states show little interest in welcoming large numbers of Syrian refugees. Unlike Syrians, however, those leaving sub-Saharan African may be differently motivated, and are more often on the move due to the lack of future prospects in their homelands. Europe cannot be absolved of responsibility for this state of affairs: fisheries agreements, milk powder and meat exports have all impacted on the African economies. Climate change further impacts on livelihoods. As a result, refugees are fleeing despair not only in Syria, Eritrea, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq and Somalia, but also in countries such as Nigeria, Chad, Ghana and Kenya. Military, humanitarian and political measures Asked whether it was possible to improve the safety of current migration routes, Harald Glöde rejected the idea that improvements could be made under current policies. Symbolic polices will continue, but will have little positive effect. Suggested solutions like asylum centres in Greece and Italy will not solve the problem. The audience clearly agreed that refugees could not simply be sent “between camps as packages!” The EU’s plan to resettle 100,000 refugees across Europe was, for Glöde, not sufficient given the current number of refugee arrivals. In any case, having been resettled to countries that persist in marginalising them, refugees would move on to safe third-countries at any cost. Moreover, he pointed out that, despite the EU border countries’ pleas, Germany refused to reform the Dublin system for many years. As Spain, Greece, Hungary and Italy were left to fend for themselves, Germany sat contentedly behind its buffer states. It is only now, when Germany finally feels the pinch herself, that she is pushing for reform. It seems that the only sustainable long-term solution to the crisis is to foster legal migration routes for refugees. Renaming the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR Med) as “Opeation Sofia” represented another symbolic gesture for Glöde, after a young girl was rescued by a military ship off the Libyan coast on 22 August 2015. Giving the military operation such a name serves as a mere attempt to give it a human face. The Libya operation is geared around three goals (1) Education (2) Redirection (3) Destruction of the smuggling boats. By October 2015, phase 2 was underway, but with no date for the third phase in sight. Indeed, navy operations by Frontex and coastguards were being matched by civil society: Sea-Watch, MSF (two ships), and a Maltese millionaire’s own private rescue ship! Motivations behind the refugee policies Asked whether arson attacks on refugee settlements and groups such as Pegida negatively impact on efforts to help refugees in Germany, Glöde argued that “Pegida is a Saxon problem.” One should not forget the positive energies set free. The politicians were “light years away from the a welcoming culture expressed in civil society.” In that sense, Angela Merkel’s commitment to welcoming hundreds of thousands of refugees into Germany should be seen in the light of foreign policy, where it boosts Europe’s international prestige and Germany’s role as a leading nation in Europe rather than a well thought through policy on how to best accommodate and integrate a mass influx of refugees.   Press review about the film (German) Films about MIGRATION in the 14km Film Database   Event coordination and presentation: Andreas Fricke Coordination of the Film Series: Andreas Fricke Text: Steffen Benzler Translation: Alex Odlum Photos: Jana Vietze Organisation: The Volunteer 14km Film Crew At 11 and 12 July 2014 14km e.V. was hosting a symposium on “Displacement // Migration // Development" to discuss facets of migration between North Africa and Europe with human rights activists, scientists, fellows of diaspora organizations and interested participants. The report can be found here in German language. Additional informations: Nahrain Al-Mousawi (EUME) works currently on her book about migrant stories about the geographical borders Mediterranian Sean and Sahara. Both natural divides are analised as dividing as well as uniting for the affected humans. Reiner Klingholz and Stephan Sievert analyse factors steering the migration to Europe: "Crisis on Europe's Southern Borders" (Berlin Institute for Population and Development 2014) Paul Collier (2013): "Exodus" Ralph A. Austen (2010): "Trans-Saharan Africa in World History" The 14km Film and Discussion Series 2015 gets sponsorship by budgetary funds of the Federal State of Berlin – Office for Development Cooperation. The upcoming Film- and Discussion night will be about political pop music in Cairo. On November 18th we will screen the documentary "Electro Chaabi". Read more. Further events are scheduled as followed: 18 November / 9 December The events are dedicatet to a single country or specific topic, in order to give an artistic-documentary impression . The ensuing audience discussion aims to include further informations by an affected person living in Berlin and by an scientific expert, always aiming to make links to North-South relationships. We express thanks for the support:

On Saturday, 17 October, the volunteers of 14km eV presented theirselfes at the Africa Day. At the Sprengel House in Berlin Wedding, we offered information material, the 14km Jute Bag and personal conversations over some cups of Moroccan tea and snacks. A special highlight for the visitors was the reading of Caroline Bunge from the book "The Taxi" of Khalid Al Khamissi. The various episodes of the book captivated interested listeners with their insights into Cairo's daily life.   Many other organisations and initiatives were visible on site and presented in exciting lectures. The Africa Guide with information on all participants of the Africa Day and further useful information and business directories is available at our 14km events.   We thank the Africa Media Centre for organising the event.   Our voluntarily working 14km team is looking forward to financial support through donations (donation receipt available) and by purchasing a 14km Jute Bag. More impressions of the 14km team at the Africa Day can be found on Facebook.

“Electro Chaabi” (documentary, France/Egypt, original version with English subtitles, 77 min) by Hind Meddeb on Wednesday, 18th November 2015 at 6:45 p.m. (1845) at Filmrauschpalast, Lehrter Straße 35, 10557 Berlin-Moabit 14km.org presents the seventh evening screening of the 2015 “14km Film and Discussion Series”: In the film, “Electro Chaabi” (Arabic with English subtitles), director Hind Meddeb meets young men from a poor area of Cairo famous for their own unique style of music, fusing electronic and hip-hop styles as DJs. From playing at street festivals and weddings, they find themselves writing political texts during the revolution, soon to become nationwide stars.   Following the film screening, special guests and the audience will discuss the role of pop-music culture as a mouthpiece for Egyptian youth after the revolution. Attendance is free, donations are welcome. Facebook-Event The event takes place at Filmrauschpalast cinema, on the 1st floor of the Kulturfabrik's backyard building in Berlin Moabit: Lehrter Straße 35, 10557 Berlin. Electro Chaabi Trailer from Monoduo Films on Vimeo. About the movie (film distributor)     The 14km Film and Discussion Series 2015 gets sponsorship by budgetary funds of the Federal State of Berlin – Office for Development Cooperation. Further events are scheduled as followed: 9 December The events are dedicatet to a single country or specific topic, in order to give an artistic-documentary impression . The ensuing audience discussion aims to include further informations by an affected person living in Berlin and by an scientific expert, always aiming to make links to North-South relationships. We express thanks for the support: