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Marl’s Mayor Steps Into a Refugee’s Shoes in ‘Fremdistan’ Escape Room

What’s it like to navigate bureaucracy in a language you don’t know? One German mayor found out firsthand. The lesson? Empathy starts with discomfort.

In This image on the left side there is an inside view of a shelter, in this image in the...
In This image on the left side there is an inside view of a shelter, in this image in the background there are some lights, stairs and there is one person. On the right side there is a door, on the door there are some boards and on the board there is some text.

Marl’s Mayor Steps Into a Refugee’s Shoes in ‘Fremdistan’ Escape Room

Marl's Mayor Thomas Terhorst recently participated in an 'Ford Escape' experience, 'Fremdistan', to gain insight into the challenges faced by refugees seeking residency. The project, a collaboration between the city of Marl and Diakonie in the Recklinghausen church district, aims to raise awareness among locals without a refugee background.

The 'Escape Room', housed at the insel-VHS adult education center, requires participants to complete tasks mirroring real-life refugee experiences. These include filling out forms in an unfamiliar language, a common hurdle for refugees. To secure 'residency' in the game, participants must solve additional puzzles within a set time limit, following the classic 'Among Us Online' format.

The initiative is part of a larger project, 'Unbekannte Unbehagen' (Unfamiliar Discomfort), organized by Flüchtlingshilfe Bonn. After its run in Marl, the temporary exhibit will move to Duisburg. The goal is to foster understanding and empathy among those who haven't faced these challenges firsthand.

Marl's Mayor Thomas Terhorst's participation in 'Fremdistan' highlights the city's commitment to promoting understanding and awareness of refugee experiences. The project, a collaboration between Marl and Diakonie, is expected to educate and engage the local community, fostering a more inclusive environment.

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