In cooperation with the African Cultural Foundation, the Politics Roundtable on BIPoC Experiences in Politics took place on 24 May 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm. The aim of the event was to exchange experiences in politics, develop long-term measures for political participation and celebrate joint achievements.
Structural responsibility instead of individual pressure
Another key point of discussion was the tension between representation and structural change. Diversity in politics is often called for - but it is often expected that individual marginalised people, e.g. young BIPoC, change entire structures on their own. Parties must therefore ask themselves: How can parties collectively bear responsibility and structurally anchor diversity?
Shaping politics outside of parliaments
A central theme of the discussion was that politics goes far beyond parliamentary spaces. Activism on the streets, political education, community work, art, digital movements or the founding of associations - these are all forms of political influence that are supported by BIPoC in particular. These forms of policy-making are not just alternatives, but important additions to institutional politics, in which the experiences and realities of marginalised groups are made visible and translated into collective action.
Political engagement as self-empowerment
In addition to the challenges discussed, the event also emphasised that political engagement is not only necessary, but can also be meaningful and enriching. Working together on change processes, experiencing solidarity and helping to shape concrete social improvements can strengthen motivation and self-efficacy. There are many different ways to take political action - be it creative, strategic, cultural or collaborative. These opportunities are not only open to people in urban centres: Initiatives in which BIPoC network, become visible and are politically active are also increasingly emerging in rural areas. Whether through educational work, cultural projects, digital platforms or local alliances - political participation is possible everywhere. This diversity of forms of engagement is an expression of a vibrant democracy and should show that diversity in politics is more important than ever.
Input providers were:
- Folosade Soyoye, local councillor for the SPÖ in Salzburg City. She is the social and youth spokesperson for the SPÖ Salzburg City, a member of the social committee and the building committee. Professionally, she works as a psychosocial counsellor and court counsellor at the Salzburg Women's Emergency Hotline. As deputy regional chairwoman and women's spokeswoman for Jusos Salzburg and Salzburg's first Black local councillor, she is committed to structural change and encourages young women and people of colour in particular to play an active role in shaping politics.
- Talita Simek is a political activist and women's spokesperson for the Vienna Green Party in Favoriten. She specialises in culture, migration, equality and social justice. She sees politics as a tool to create concrete improvements for marginalised groups - especially for BIPoC, FLINTA* and the independent scene. Her work is characterised by the conviction that art is political. She is a cultural mediator, networker and activist who has been helping to shape Vienna's independent art and culture scene for many years. As former co-director of the renowned Ateliertheater and founder of the participatory gallery Artspaceby, she is passionate about visibility, diversity and low-threshold access to art.
- Mireille Ngosso was a member of the Vienna City Council and State Parliament for the SPÖ and previously worked in the Federal Press Service at the Federal Chancellery. Among other things, she is committed to inclusive healthcare in Austria. She is a general practitioner and founded MedinUnity together with other campaigners.
- Ursula Berner is a member of the Green Party and a member of parliament in Vienna. In this role, she is the spokesperson for culture and family and is active in European affairs. She studied history, German and theatre studies and later completed a master's degree in gender studies and feminist politics. She is convinced that it is possible to organise the world and society in a more socially just and sustainable way in terms of resource consumption. For you, it is also about listening to those who comment ‘from the margins’: Empowerment, creating identity, coming to terms with your own history and an approach to justice are extremely important to you.
- Beverley Allen-Stingeder is politically active with the SPÖ. She works as a professional shoe teacher and is a local councillor in Puchenau. As a regional secretary, for example, she has drawn up a catalogue of questions on the topic of ‘education’. In her role as SPÖ district women's chairwoman for Urfahr-Umgebung, she has campaigned for women to receive the same salary as their male colleagues for the same work performance in future as a key factor in political sustainability.