Stefanie-Lahya Aukongo is a German-Namibian author, poet, and activist who grew up in foster care in East Germany. She became a German citizen in 1995. She will introduce the audience to her work and her experiences as a stateless refugee, being partially paralyzed, and coping with racially motivated abuse. Aukongo found strength in writing to overcome adversity and now, thanks to the success of her autobiography, works as a writer in Berlin. Her work shines a light on the transformative power of love and Aukongo’s resilience.