1 – What is it about?
The term “awareness” derives from “to be aware” and means (in a broader sense) “to be aware, to be informed, to be sensitized to certain problems”. We live in a society that is characterized by unequal power relations. People are advantaged (privileged) and disadvantaged (discriminated against) on the basis of certain characteristics – whether intentionally or unintentionally.
Awareness is a concept that opposes all forms of discrimination, violence and violations of personal boundaries. Offensive and transgressive behavior, such as sexist, racist, anti-Semitic, anti-queer, ableist, classist or similar attacks are not tolerated at System Change Camp.
2 – Why do we need this?
The camp offers its participants a space to learn, network and further expand our resistant movement. Everyone at camp should be given barrier-free access to training and strategic discussions. However, no human being is free of prejudice and discrimination when dealing with others. Therefore, every single person has to consciously reflect on this (critical self-reflection). As awareness team, we cannot do this work for you. However, we offer to accompany you in this process.
3 – How does it work?
Every day from 10:15 to 11:00, check-in group meetings are taking place. They can check in with each other and see what the people in the group need and how they can support each other. In case of conflict, boundary violations or criticism of someone’s behavior, people in a check-in group should take responsibility for this and offer the necessary support in the event of assaults and boundary violations. However, they should also take responsibility if people within the check-in group have noticed borderline violations or abusive behavior in others or if this has been reported to the check-in group.
There is also an awareness input on the website for each day that the check-in groups can deal with
You can find more details in the check-in group concept. This can be found here on this website Check-In-group concept and is available in the Awaress tent and at the info point.
The awareness teams at the camp are available for all situations with which the check-in groups are overwhelmed in any way. They are therefore primarily available for people who have experienced boundary violations or conflicts with others or who have a personal issue and would like support in dealing with it. This may involve any perception of power imbalances (e.g. cis-male dominant behavior), active discrimination, exclusion and overcoming acute triggers of personal discomfort. We work in a partisan manner and in solidarity with those affected. The power to define the experience of violence and/or transgressions lies entirely with the person affected.
There are a number of groups that are systemically more affected by discrimination than others, e.g. FLINTA*/women*, people on the neurodivergent spectrum or BIPoC. For these groups, there are Safer Spaces in the immediate vicinity of the awareness tents as places of retreat.
To balance out our largely white awareness, there is also an explicit BIPoC awareness. You can find them in the BIPoC awareness tent next to the general awareness tent.
We can be found from 8:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 22:00 in the tent marked as “Awareness”. We also try to be present and approachable at the camp plenary sessions and some of the workshops. You can recognize us by our purple vests.
4 – What can you do for more awareness?
As awareness team, we offer concrete support to people affected by discrimination. However, we do NOT (or cannot) provide services such as conflict management, dispute resolution or therapeutic work. We can only create a safer space together and each and every one of us is responsible for ensuring that this effort is successful. So please be mindful when interacting with other camp participants and, if possible, inform yourself in advance about possible forms of discrimination.
There will be a variety of workshops at the camp on topics related to awareness, for example on anti-discrimination, critical masculinity or critical whiteness. You are also welcome to ask for further resources at the awareness tent – because we are all never done learning.
Finally, please address everyone at the camp in German or English first – unless they are actively speaking another language – even if you suspect that they may not speak one of the two most commonly spoken languages at camp. You cannot deduce which language a person can speak from their appearance. Hold back if you feel curious about the origin or identity behind a person’s appearance. People can decide for themselves what and when they want to share something personal about themselves and don’t need assumptions to made about them for this.
5 – See you at camp!
We hope you enjoy the learning and the experience of System Change Camp and we look very much forward to seeing you there. You can find more important information at the info point or the Awareness tent. You can also send us feedback, questions and comments about our work via email to awareness@system-change-camp.org – we’d love to hear from you, also after the camp. We will then evaluate and reflect on your input after the camp.
Yours, Awareness Crew 2024