VIRTUAL WORKCAMPS – (HOW) DO THEY WORK?
AUTHOR: CHRISTOPH MEDER – IBG
International workcamps, a mix between international exchange and shared civic engagement, offer three elements: a diverse international group, a non-profit work project, and a connection to and integration into the project location. There are many reasons for claiming that workcamps can only be carried out in person and not virtually.
PRACTICAL CHALLENGES:
In late March 2020, IBG had to cancel the international workcamps it had planned for the coming weeks at short notice. We felt a responsibility to at least offer virtual exchange opportunities, if only as a sign of We felt a responsibility to at least offer virtual exchange opportunities, if only as a sign of international solidarity and against national isolation. international solidarity and against national isolation. Very much in the spirit of learning by doing , internation - al partners were soon brought on board and the first virtual workcamps were developed. They took place online several times a week for two to four hours, generally as a workshop, with people learning sign language together, working on home gardening pro - jects or participating in cooking workshops. They were supplemented by joint everyday activities (cooking, yoga, chat), moderated and coordinated by volunteers. Several hundred young people from all over the world took advantage of these activities during a time they were sorely needed. Even though it was clear from the outset that didactic-organisational approaches from real international workcamps could not be applied by the letter here, some other practical and conceptual difficulties soon emerged.
» Different time zones: International workcamps often bring people from America, Europe, Africa and Asia together. Given these regions are in different time zones, some are effectively excluded from the activity depending on the time they are scheduled. » Reliability of participants: The number of people who sign up but then often do not take part without informing the organisers has proven to be relatively high in virtual projects. This may also be because so far, no registration fees have been charged. In response, we now organise online pre-camp meetings. » Length and frequency of online sessions: Clear information must be provided in advance, whilst reacting flexibly to the group and making adjust - ments where necessary. » Structural framework: Complex activities, varying registration procedures, etc. led to many interna - tional partners going beyond existing networks to develop a joint framework and platform using Slack and Padlet. » The internet: Individual participants experienced recurrent technical difficulties, whilst many others showed signs of online fatigue due to the many online activities.
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