group sitting in a circle during a workshop at HKW

Shared Values

TheMuseumsLab is committed to fostering an environment that is as free from discrimination as possible, where everyone feels empowered to express themselves without fear of being discriminated against, or harassed. We all share a responsibility for creating such an environment. We know that this is an ongoing process and that TheMuseumsLab is not a space free from social power structures. Kindly find an overview of the values we are committed to in our work below. We invite all participants involved in the programme to commit to these values too.

  1. Respect & Diversity

    We value and promote diverse cultural backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences and ask everyone involved in the programme to listen to and recognise other experiences, identities and feelings.

  2. Cultural Sensitivity

    We recognise the importance of cultural sensitivity when engaging with colleagues from different contexts. We strive to understand differing viewpoints, to avoid generalisations and stereotypes. It is essential to approach conversations and collaborations with an awareness of cultural differences and a commitment to understanding and respecting each other’s perspectives.

  3. Collaboration & Advocacy

    We strive to foster meaningful collaborations and partnerships between all individuals involved in the programme. Our interactions should be characterised by mutual respect, openness, and willingness to listen and learn from each other.

  4. Appreciative Culture of Discourse

    In discussions, we believe in an appreciative culture of discourse. We encourage positive, supportive, and constructive interactions and criticism. Our interactions should be characterised by mutual respect, openness, and willingness to listen and learn from each other. In the event of disagreements, we are committed to resolving issues in a calm, transparent and respectful way and ask everyone involved to do the same.

  5. No tolerance for discrimination & harassment

    We don’t tolerate any forms of discrimination, violence, or harassment including racism, sexism, antisemitism, islamophobia, trans- and homophobia, classism, ageism and ableism. Our vision embraces intersectionality, acknowledging that some individuals experience multiple forms of discrimination simultaneously. It is important to recognise that discrimination is not always overt. What may seem normal to one person may be distressing to another.

  6. Transparency

    We are committed to transparency and openness about our actions, decisions, and affiliations.

  7. Professionalism & Respect

    TheMuseumsLab upholds high standards of professionalism in all our interactions. This includes maintaining confidentiality where necessary, being reliable and on time in meeting deadlines, fulfilling tasks and communicating respectfully and effectively.

  8. Accountability

    We hold ourselves and everyone involved in TheMuseumsLab accountable for upholding the principles outlined in this document. We encourage feedback and constructive criticism to ensure our actions align with our values and goals.

Our shared values are based on the experiences we have made during the past Fellowship years. We regularly assess the effectiveness of our policies and see the implementation of our values as an ongoing process. By adhering to these principles, we aim to create a collaborative and inclusive environment that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of both Africa and Europe and advances the mission of TheMuseumsLab.