Workshops 2023
Theme & Focus
We have learned from the experiences of the previous workshops and therefore adapted our concept slightly. The interest especially in the topic of gender was so high in the 2021-round of the Aswatona Program that we made it our main topic in both workshops in 2023. The topics of environment and power dynamics will be looked at through the gender lens.

What our participants can expect:
Our main goal for the workshops in 2023 is to have a safe space where people feel brave and safe to speak with each other. We also want it to be fun, interactive, and vivid for all participants – since we know that especially online workshops can be tiring.
Based on the needs of our participants the following topics and focus were collected:
- Finding common ground for the discussion of gender topics.
- How to tackle cultural/political sensitive topics.
- How to establish a feminist storytelling.
- Tools and techniques we use for professional podcast production.
- And so much more...
For this we invited some great experts from the region, for the region, enriching the Aswatona network.
In this round of the Aswatona Program we are going to include Mentors who are Alumni from the Aswatona Program 2021. They will support and consult our participants with their podcast production. We are happy to present to you:

Nahla

Hajar

Tabarek

Sadeq

Ines

Esraa
We also would like to introduce you to our five Jury Members, who chose our participants:

Raouia Khedr

Nesmah Mansour

Heba Obeid

Abir Sarras

Samar Elhussieny
Our 2023-workshops are moderated by this wonderful duo, that opens up a save and brave space for everyone to express:

Rula Asad

Stella Saliari
Meet our Experts who help our participants to deepen their skills with their precious knowledge:

Maya Ammar
Feminist storytelling
Bio
Maya El Ammar is a feminist writer, activist, and communications professional who has led nationwide feminist media campaigns on issues related to family violence, child marriage, personal status laws, and the kafala system, among other topics. She currently contributes to various independent media outlets as a journalist and translator. She occasionally produces short videos covering a range of feminist issues, alongside her job as a media strategist for a non-profit organization. Maya has experience in training civil society organizations and young activists in the fields of gender and media. She has a BA in journalism and an MA in communication studies.

Tomader Nourledeen
How to define gender?
Bio
Tomader Nour (she/They): is feminist, queer and Youth advocate, a researcher in social sciences, co-founder of Noon Feminist Movement - Sudan and a political activist working on gender issues and feminist political economy.

Nivin Serag
Audio editing (advanced)
Bio
Nivin Serag el Din graduated from masscomm. Cairo university and the Higher Institute of theater Arts, Department of Acting and Directing. She worked in the field of video production, audio content, and audio engineering and dubbing training.

Jana Qazzaz
Audio editing (beginners)
Bio
Jana Qazzaz is a Podcast Producer and Writer. She currently works with Sowt Podcasts’ editorial team and has produced numerous shows on topics ranging from tech to economic justice to food. With a BA in Journalism and Mass Communication and experience from different institutions. Jana’s skills encompass a plethora of areas, including audio and multimedia production, scriptwriting and editing, and human centered design.
In this round of the Aswatona Program we are going to include Mentors who are Alumni from the Aswatona Program 2021. They will support and consult our participants with their podcast production. We are happy to present to you:

Nahla

Hajar

Tabarek

Sadeq

Ines

Esraa
We also would like to introduce you to our five Jury Members, who chose our participants:

Raouia Khedr

Nesmah Mansour

Heba Obeid

Abir Sarras

Samar Elhussieny
Our 2023-workshops are moderated by this wonderful duo, that opens up a save and brave space for everyone to express:

Rula Asad

Stella Saliari
Meet our Experts who help our participants to deepen their skills with their precious knowledge:

Maya Ammar
Feminist storytelling
Bio
Maya El Ammar is a feminist writer, activist, and communications professional who has led nationwide feminist media campaigns on issues related to family violence, child marriage, personal status laws, and the kafala system, among other topics. She currently contributes to various independent media outlets as a journalist and translator. She occasionally produces short videos covering a range of feminist issues, alongside her job as a media strategist for a non-profit organization. Maya has experience in training civil society organizations and young activists in the fields of gender and media. She has a BA in journalism and an MA in communication studies.

Tomader Nourledeen
How to define gender?
Bio
Tomader Nour (she/They): is feminist, queer and Youth advocate, a researcher in social sciences, co-founder of Noon Feminist Movement - Sudan and a political activist working on gender issues and feminist political economy.

Nivin Serag
Audio editing (advanced)
Bio
Nivin Serag el Din graduated from masscomm. Cairo university and the Higher Institute of theater Arts, Department of Acting and Directing. She worked in the field of video production, audio content, and audio engineering and dubbing training.

Jana Qazzaz
Audio editing (beginners)
Bio
Jana Qazzaz is a Podcast Producer and Writer. She currently works with Sowt Podcasts’ editorial team and has produced numerous shows on topics ranging from tech to economic justice to food. With a BA in Journalism and Mass Communication and experience from different institutions. Jana’s skills encompass a plethora of areas, including audio and multimedia production, scriptwriting and editing, and human centered design.

Farah
Interests: I interest about issues close to the citizen and touch human rights, even if the issue at hand is political, scientific, environmental, health, cultural, sports or social. The important thing is that the human stories are present.
Secret talent: Innovation, innovation, innovation

Mohamed
Interests: Politics, Climate change, Nuclear weapons abolition & democratic governance
Secret talent: Documentary Filmmaking

Aya
Interests: Writing, going out, traveling and exploring new places
Secret talent: I can mimic different weird sounds -babies, witches, monsters,etc…
Participants
In 2023, we were thrilled to receive 781 applications for our workshops from across West Asia and North Africa. We had the opportunity to grant scholarships to 18 skilled participants from Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Palestine, Sudan, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, and Jordan. Each of our scholars brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise, united by their shared enthusiasm for podcasts and podcasting. In addition to podcasting, our scholars possess a wide array of interests, skills, and hidden talents. Get to know them better by visiting their profiles here!

Nadia
Interests: Sport (capoeira, windsurfing and biking), themes and issues around motherhood, parenthood or any major life changing event, I love sitting in coffee with friends and having conversation on any subject of life 🙂
Secret talent: lol i have many talent and none is secret haha

Bayan
Interests: Hiking, Reading non-fiction books, Yoga, and Gardening
Secret talent: Writing children's Literature stories

Fatiha
Interests: As an individual, I am passionate about supporting women and promoting gender equality. Women have historically been disadvantaged and faced various forms of discrimination, including limited access to education and employment opportunities, unequal pay, and gender-based violence. I believe that every woman deserves the same rights, opportunities, and respect as man. By using my voice to advocate for women's rights and promote gender equality, I hope to help create a world where women are empowered and have equal opportunities to succeed. I am committed to supporting women by listening to their experiences, amplifying their voices, and advocating for policies that promote gender equality.
Secret talent: have always been fascinated by the power of storytelling to connect people, share experiences, and inspire change. Whether it's through writing, speaking, or other forms of communication, I am able to craft compelling narratives that engage and captivate my audience

Linda
Interests: Create the story podcast/ impact producer
Secret talent: Impact producer for documentary movie

Shaza
Interests: Gender equity issues
Secret talent: fluency and nice voice , passionate to discover new topics and readings.

Deng
Interests: Sports, painting, books reading
Secret talent: Painting

Iqbal
Interests: Culture, travel and story telling
Secret talent: Embroidery

Tarik
Interests: Too many to count!
Secret talent: If I tell you it wouldn't be secret!

Lara
Interests: Movies, theater, music, upcycling
Secret talent: Acting
Timeline
Our workshops for 2023 take place in two phases. In our first phase in 2023, 18 participants will sharpen their skills in audio journalism, data security, and podcast production through a series of workshops. At the same time, they create a podcast series of 12 episodes on the topic of gender – the Aswatona Podcast. In the second phase in 2024, 15 participants will get the chance to learn how to give podcast training themselves and share their knowledge with a self-produced audiobook.