How we work
As a structure that educates and supports social movements, we would like to describe some of the basic principles that guide our work. Instead of a single tradition or ‘school’, we are guided and inspired by a range of approaches. These fundamental aspects of our work are based on our experience, qualifications and further trainings, literature and observations. We reflect on them regularly and discuss them with other stakeholders and participants at our events.
What matters to us
With educational formats such as trainings, workshops, courses and seminars, we primarily provide methodological knowledge and skills. This, as well as accompanying groups, is intended to strengthen social movements in which we are sometimes active ourselves, sometimes hardly at all. However, we do not offer any kind of education, training or support for groups that have a discriminatory, exclusionist attitude. In this sense, we see ourselves as a supporting and empowering player in various emancipatory social movements. Our aim is to work in a movement-oriented and context-sensitive manner, not as an external service provider.
Attitude and approaches
Methodologically and conceptually, we rely heavily on the pedagogical strategy of engaged paedagogy (bell hooks) and the concept of global learning / global citizenship education when developing our educational formats. Not only because we live in a complex world that requires holistic approaches, but above all because we find it important to encourage (self-)reflection, the inclusion of learners' living environments, the diversity of perspectives and the attitude of “teachers as learners”. In terms of critical pedagogy , critical reflection on the content taught (for us this means: methods, skills, concepts) and independent thinking are at least as important to us as the teaching of certain concepts. This aim is in line with our self-image as movement workers and our goal of strengthening movements. It is particularly important to us in view of the fact that many methods and concepts are also used in neoliberal and anti-emancipatory contexts. This is why we particularly value collective critical reflection - not only as a tool in educational formats, but also for our further development.
When accompanying groups and providing training, we rely on systemic theoretical principles as well as experience- and action-orientated learning (action learning) - Seeing that the practical experience of individuals and groups is central, especially in the context of social movements, and the majority of (methodological) knowledge transfer is based on this. However, we also like to add ‘learning by stories’ to the principle of ‘learning by doing’, as many experiences should not be repeated, e.g. where repression, burnout and frustration over dysfunctional group structures are involved. In seminar designs and group processes, we also like to draw on elements and insights from theme-centred interaction.
Why?
We find ourselves confronted with a clear option: to educate for liberation or to educate for domination”
(zit. n.: bell hooks (1989) Talking Back, p. 101)
All these strategies, approaches and sources of inspiration are driven by the aim of contributing to a world without exploitative conditions and to nourish relationships based on solidarity. We also seek such connections with all those with whom we work and learn.