About Us
Dock Wayuu is an educational and dialogue project that connects Wayuu communities in Colombia and Venezuela with people in Europe. At its core are Wayuu perspectives, cultural diversity, and sustainable collaboration.
Dock Wayuu sees itself as a platform for intercultural exchange and Indigenous self-representation.
Our Mission: What We Strive For
We aim to support the Wayuu community in strengthening their voice in a globalized world — in their own way and on their own terms.
Our goal is not only to raise awareness of their culture and challenges, but also to create concrete pathways for exchange, support, and sustainable collaboration.
To achieve this, we promote:
- Education & awareness to make global interconnections visible.
- Knowledge transfer to deepen cultural understanding.
- Networking to enable dialogue and cooperation with the Wayuu community.
- Projects with direct impact, initiated and shaped by the Wayuu themselves.
Our mission follows a participatory approach: listening, acting together, learning from one another. We believe real change grows from mutual respect, dialogue, and collective action. “Dock Wayuu” is our contribution to making this possible.
Our Vision: A Future of Dialogue and Collaboration
- Indigenous voices are heard — their stories, traditions, and concerns are a valuable part of global society.
- Exchange and cooperation happen at eye level — between the Wayuu and people worldwide, between tradition and modernity.
- Knowledge and education build bridges — creating a deeper understanding of the links between local realities and global actions.
- Sustainable projects bring change — on the ground, with the Wayuu as authors of their own future.
Our vision is closely connected to education for sustainable development, the protection of Indigenous rights, and global partnerships. “Dock Wayuu” stands for a world where dialogue, respect, and collaboration form the basis for a fairer and more sustainable future.
Values: What We Stand For
Our work at “Dock Wayuu” is based on clear values that guide our exchange and our projects:
Respect & appreciation
We approach Wayuu culture with deep respect and recognize its knowledge, traditions, and way of life as an essential part of our global society.
Dialogue & exchange at eye level
We aim to create a platform for genuine exchange — between the Wayuu and the world. We work to ensure Indigenous voices are heard and included in global conversations.
Education & awareness
We seek to raise awareness about the connections between global actions and the challenges the Wayuu face. Education is a key tool for fostering understanding and initiating change.
Cooperation & community
We believe in the power of collaboration. Our projects emerge from direct dialogue with the Wayuu community and follow their needs and perspectives.
Sustainability & responsibility
Environmentally, socially, and economically — sustainable thinking and action are essential for a just future. We support long-term projects that create positive change.
Independence & transparency
We act independently and transparently. We aim to share authentic content and build honest, responsible partnerships.
SDGs – Global Goals, Local Impact
Our work is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through educational projects, fair trade, and partnerships on equal footing, we help address global challenges locally. The goals most central to our work include:
SDG 4: Quality Education
We promote workshops, exchange, and knowledge transfer to create future opportunities.
SDG 5: Gender Equality
Wayuu women strengthen their roles through craftsmanship, income, and visibility.
SDG 8: Decent Work & Economic Growth
Fair trade provides income without exploitation — transparent and sustainable.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
We build transatlantic bridges and create spaces for intercultural dialogue.
Sustainable Consumption & Production
Handmade products instead of mass production — conscious, fair, and respectful.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Collaboration on equal terms is the foundation of all our projects.
The Team – Who We Are
Dock Wayuu is a collaborative project supported by an interdisciplinary team from Germany and Colombia. Our team brings together filmmakers, cultural workers, researchers and activists committed to Indigenous rights, cultural exchange and social justice.
Michael, Jannik and Paul – We are the initiators of Dock Wayuu. Our work began with a film-based field study on digital participation in Indigenous communities. During our time in La Guajira, close connections formed with the Wayuu — connections that continue today through Dock Wayuu.
Our Partners & the Wayuu Community
Dock Wayuu is built on a network of strong and trusted partnerships, both locally and internationally.
The Wayuu Community & local partners
Felix Montiel & Fundación Amüliajü Wayúu
Felix Montiel Barliza is Wayuu, a teacher, and founder of Fundación Amüliajü Wayúu. He advocates especially for education and the rights of Wayuu children. During our journey he guided, accompanied and supported us. He is one of our key cooperation partners and facilitates direct exchange with individual Wayuu communities.
Cooperation partners & organizations
- Tepiapa – Non-profit organization in Colombia, active in media production for Dock Wayuu.
- Fundación Apü’naja – NGO for Indigenous rights and education, cooperation partner in the film workshop in Jiwalain.
- Deutsch-Kolumbianischer Freundeskreis e.V. – Facilitators of educational projects and partnerships with the Wayuu community.
How it all began
The idea for Dock Wayuu emerged from a film-based field research project conducted as part of the bachelor thesis “Digital Participation and Self-Representation of Indigenous People in the Dominant Majority Society”.
In March 2022, we — Paul, Micha and Jannik — traveled to La Guajira to explore together with the Wayuu community how Indigenous groups can use digital media to tell their story and make their voices heard.
A key part of this research was a film workshop in the Wayuu community of Jiwalain. There, the Wayuu journalist Algimiro Montiel taught twelve children how to work with a smartphone. The resulting short film, “Conoce mi escuela”, documented not only their everyday life but also how Indigenous communities use audiovisual media to share their perspectives autonomously.
These experiences showed us something clear: one film is not enough. A platform for sustainable exchange is needed — Dock Wayuu.
Our commitment to the Wayuu community
Our commitment is based on mutual exchange, visibility and sustainable support. With Dock Wayuu, we aim not only to share stories but also to provide concrete impulses for change.
Visibility & digital participation
The voices of the Wayuu deserve to be heard. We create a platform that highlights their reality, culture and challenges — through digital media, participatory projects and social networks.
Education & awareness
We focus on knowledge transfer: educational materials, school collaborations and learning programs that make global connections and their local impacts understandable.
Networking & dialogue
Dock Wayuu connects actors from academia, media, politics, education and the Wayuu community — a bridge between worlds.
Projects & support
Film workshops, educational programs, crowdfunding — we support participatory projects co-created with the Wayuu.
Our commitment is not about help from the outside, but about shared responsibility and a collective movement.
Growing together – Become part of Dock Wayuu!
Dock Wayuu is a living, growing project. Our vision can only become reality through collaboration and mutual support. Everyone can contribute!
How you can support us:
- Share your knowledge — e.g. in Indigenous rights, environmental justice or education.
- Get involved — in projects or with creative ideas.
- Share our content — on social media and within your community.
- Donate to projects — concrete, transparent, effective.
Visit our Donations & Participation page to learn more. (coming soon)
Critical reflection – Our responsibility
Dock Wayuu understands itself not only as a platform for visibility and participation but also as a space of critical self-reflection. We ask ourselves:
- Who speaks about whom — and who doesn’t?
- How can eurocentric perspectives be consciously avoided?
- What does it mean to act in solidarity within postcolonial structures?
You can find our answers and open questions on the Critical Reflection page.