“We can’t change many things in life, but we can change our attitude immediately—including towards minorities.” — Beate Winkler

Activities in the area of human rights

For Beate Winkler, her artistic projects are also spaces of opportunity for social dialog and impetus – including in the field of human rights. It also supports European foundations, NGOs and international organizations in matters of integration and intercultural dialogue. Focus: Changing perceptions and attitudes – especially through the media – to make human rights more effective. The aim is to help bring a human rights culture to life.

Beate Winkler’s activities are currently focused on her commitment to the “Initiative Digitalisierung Chancengerecht”. The IDC was founded at the suggestion of Doris Schmidauer together with Sabine Köszegi, Marlies Lenglachner, Martina Mara and Beate Winkler and is committed to ensuring that digital change is shaped in a humane, democratic, social and ecological way.

Professional background

First female director of the European Monitoring Center on Racism, Xenophobia and Anti-Semitism (EUMC) and first female director of an EU agency ever (1998-2007). Priorities: Building networks with member state governments, NGOs and communities; strategies for intercultural dialog and against racism.

Sharing this experience as a consultant at the Bureau of European Policy Advisers (BEPA) – the think tank of the President of the European Commission.

Education and training: doctorate in law, painting, general management, communication, group dynamics, intercultural competence. Before that: over 14 years in the office of the German Federal Government Commissioner for Foreigners (1982-1996).

Beate Winkler has now focused on the connection between art and human rights.