{"id":23399,"date":"2024-05-22T16:34:37","date_gmt":"2024-05-22T14:34:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/klimacamp.at\/?page_id=23399"},"modified":"2025-05-23T17:33:07","modified_gmt":"2025-05-23T15:33:07","slug":"awareness-concept","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/klimacamp.at\/en\/awareness-concept\/","title":{"rendered":"Awareness Concept"},"content":{"rendered":"

Awareness at the City for All Camp<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

1 \u2014 What is awareness?<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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 issues.” We live in a society characterized by unequal power relations. People are given advantages (privilege) and disadvantaged (discrimination) based on certain characteristics \u2014 whether intentionally or unconsciously.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Awareness, as a concept, opposes all forms of discrimination, violence, and boundary violations. Hurtful and transgressive behavior, such as sexist, racist, anti<\/b>s<\/b>emitic, homophobic, ableist, classist, or similar attacks, will not be tolerated at the City for All Camp.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

2 \u2014 Why do we need awareness?<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The City for All Camp should be a place where as many people as possible can feel comfortable. Accordingly, a mindful, respectful, and supportive interaction with one another is important to us. The camp also offers participants a space to learn from one another, network, and further expand our resistance movement. Everyone present should be given barrier-free access to content-based training\/education and strategic discussions. However, no one is free of prejudice and discrimination in their interactions with others. Therefore, each individual must consciously reflect on this (critical self-reflection). As an awareness team, we cannot do this work for you. However, we offer to support you to the extent possible. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

We are aware that as an awareness team, we are predominantly white and we do criticize this. We also need to be self-critical about the fact that we cannot provide dedicated BIPoC awareness structures. To improve our awareness work as a climate camp, we would like to invite BIPoC awareness collectives to contact us \ud83d\ude42<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

3 \u2014 How does awareness work?<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Ensuring that we treat each other with care, respect, and solidarity is our responsibility. We want to point out to each other when we fall short. However, situations can arise where this is not enough, or where people need support. Boundary violations, assaults, or discriminatory behavior cannot be ruled out at the camp, as an open space. In these cases, the Awareness team is there for you as a confidential, partial, and affected-oriented support structure and does not see itself as a mediator. The power to define the violence and\/or boundary violations experienced lies entirely with the affected person. You can contact the awareness team at any time if something is too much or stressful for you.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

We are available from 9 am to 10 pm. People who take on awareness shifts can be recognized by their purple vests. In addition, members of the Camp Awareness Team are on site as backup. Feel free to speak to the people in the purple vests at any time or call the awareness number (0043\/677\/61498862). The cell phone line will be available 24\/7 during the camp. We try to be present and available at camp \u2013 at the assembly sessions, in the workshops, etc.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

You can recognize us by our purple vests.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In case of an emergency, you can reach out to us at the following phone number: (0043\/677\/61498862)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Brief explanation of terms:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Confidential:<\/b> This means that nothing you say will be shared with others unless you wish for it to be. Everything you say remains between the team and you. Even the information that you have sought support from the awareness team will not be shared.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Partiality<\/b>:<\/b> This means that your perceptions and needs are taken seriously, and the awareness team is 100% on your side.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Affected-<\/b>oriented<\/b>:<\/b> This means that the focus is solely on you and your needs in the situation. What do you need right now? How can the awareness team best help you? This can range from “just listening” to providing support in difficult or hurtful situations. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Instead of primarily focusing on the consequences for the violent\/abusive person, the awareness team focuses on the needs of those who contacted the team to ensure their continued participation in the camp. However, this can ultimately also result in the exclusion of the violent\/abusive person, as we want to ensure that those affected are not pushed aside.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Limitations of the Awareness Team<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

At this point, we would like to point out that the awareness team does not always have personal experience, or knowledge regarding discrimination. This can be both good and bad. On the one hand, this is good if it relieves people who are themselves affected by the respective discrimination situations of having to provide support. On the other hand, it is less good if those affected do not feel comfortable or sufficiently understood due to the lack of knowledge of the contact person. We recognize the need if those affected prefer to speak with people who share their experiences. As a person affected, you can raise this directly with the relevant person on the awareness team; we will try to find another contact person if possible.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Members of the Awareness Team also have their (emotional, psychological) limitations. They are not psychotherapists, doctors, or the like, but a team of volunteers. If they cannot support you, they will refer you to experts. The Awareness Team is not responsible for reprimanding problematic speech, for political negotiation processes, facilitation, or psychotherapeutic interventions. The awareness team should not be understood as a monitoring agency, security service, or expert body.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Awareness as a shared responsibility:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

We all come to this camp with our individual prior experiences, concerns, and knowledge of discrimination. None of this is always visible from the outside. It is important that we are aware of our own social positions and treat other participants with respect. We come from different movements, spaces, and with different approaches and focuses. We want to create a space where people feel confident asking questions and expressing their opinions. But it should also be possible to change one’s mind or criticize one another.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

At the City for All Camp, we want to openly, collaboratively, and constructively address criticism of sexist, racist, anti-Semitic, homophobic, transphobic, queerphobic, ableist, or similar statements and behaviors \u2014 especially in our immediate environment. Awareness as a shared responsibility is the responsibility of all camp participants.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

4 \u2014 What can you do to raise awareness?<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

As the awareness team, we offer concrete support to people affected by discrimination. What we CANNOT (or do not always want to) provide, however, is conflict management, dispute resolution, or therapeutic work. We can only create a safe space together, and each of us is responsible for ensuring this succeeds. So be mindful in your interactions with other camp participants and, ideally, inform yourself about possible forms of discrimination in advance.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

To ensure a pleasant atmosphere at the camp and to ensure that as many people as possible can benefit from the workshops, we encourage you to observe and question your own speaking style in group discussions. Depending on how we speak, other participants may feel uncomfortable or certain perspectives may be excluded from the discussion. So-called “dominant speech behaviors” include:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n