“What can we do?”  is an urgent question

The theme of the second day of the IETM Focus in Den Bosch was Rework the System. Many of us are already working on social themes in a productive way, but the impressive speeches of Mohamedou Ould Slahi Houbeini, Louna Sbou and Madhumita Nandi from Oyoun, in addition to providing inspiration, also caused feelings of powerlessness and concern.

In these times, a membership network like IETM can be very connecting, inspiring and helpful and the results of the membership evaluation survey just conducted by the Secretariat  this autumn, show innovation of IETM members and a very strong will to continue to find ways to work together across borders.  The results of the evaluation will be shared with members in a few weeks. 

Yet, many of us find ourselves in crisis and “What can we do?”  is an urgent question. There is a great appetite for concrete suggestions.

Oyoun shared a few practical recommendations:

• Diversify funding sources.
• Build alliances & organization.
• Stay safe and practice self-care.
• Keep dreaming and imagining possible futures & poly perspectives.
• Don't remain silent, it's your problem too.
• Use your privilege and stand up for those who may be unable to.

We also asked our Board member Marina Barham how we could help artists from Palestine. She shared a few ideas:

• To demand stopping the war by writing to MPS.
• Hosting shows from Palestine and from Al Harah Theater.
• Organise Talks & Events.
• A Theater in Europe to adopt our theaters here in Palestine.
• Fundraising for supporting artists in Gaza and in Palestine.
• Co-productions with Palestinian Theaters.
•  Mobility funds and residencies for Palestinian artists.
•  Inviting Palestinian artists to your festivals to have a voice from Palestine.
• Offer residencies to Palestinian artists

It is these concrete and practical tips with which we can support each other as a network.  

Please feel free to share these suggestions with your peers.

Wishing you a peaceful and purposeful new year on behalf of the IETM Board of Directors.

Jeffrey Meulman, former President IETM Board of Directors