„EDC for All“ – planpolitik is partner in a EU-funded project!

In October last year, we we proudly announced that planpolitik for the first time in ist history is part of a EU-funded project, namely on “Education for Democratic Citizenship”. In March, we had a very productive kick-off meeting in Sintra, Portugal. Together with our partners from Dínamo – Associação, DARE-network and the AKDN (Aga Khan Development Network) we have reached a common understanding of the project and we are very much looking forward to the collaboration! We will keep you updated…

Have a look at our amazing logo for the EU-funded project “EDC for All”. And/or if you happen to know any games on youth participation, please let us know! Before we start developing our own game as part of our contribution to the project, we would like to know what is out there in terms of other games. Please visit our site.

Addis – for the third time!

Once again Björn Warkalla travelled to Addis Abeba for a training course for journalists during the summit of the African Union (AU). As before, part of the training took place in the new AU headquarters. Unlike last time, the actual summit was taking place simultaneously, creating a few added challenges such as gaining access to the building in the first place. The aim of the training was to support journalists from all over Africa in their reporting from the AU summit. Debates within the AU are exciting and often controversial, the Agenda 2063 (the AU’s 100th anniversary) is confident and full of ambition; however, so far this important organisation is lacking resources everywhere in order to fulfil its goals.

Direct democracy Germany-wide?

Following an initiative by the state chancellery of Schleswig Holstein, experts from all 16 German federal state chancelleries play-tested and discussed various types of direct democracy on a national level. The Swiss immigration referendum having taken place shortly before added further appeal to this event. It would be an honour if our humble contribution were to yield new results in this important debate. However, whether elements of direct democracy will ever appear on the agenda during the administration of the current chancellor is something we feel unable to predict.

Thanks to the FES, we finally returned to Vietnam – albeit at the wrong time of year!

Having been invited by the FES to run a training workshop, we returned to Vietnam after three years. While the seminar was extremely successful and the young Vietnamese participants proved particularly eager players, the weather left a lot to be desired – it was cold and wet, meaning we were cold for the first time this winter…fortunately, the next trip to Vietnam is already scheduled for September when it’ll be nice and warm.

Successful first test run of our online simulation game platform

Throughout January, we worked day and night to complete the first test version of our new online platform for simulation games – and it’s fair to say that all those late nights at work have paid off! The first new test run with students from all over the world was part of the Online Masters in International Relations. The reactions were positive throughout/almost surprisingly so. We are hoping to be able to offer the first official games via this platform by early summer. For further information, contact Konstantin Kaiser at kaiser@planpolitik.de

We’re running the ideas laboratories at EYE2014 EYE 2014!

We are delighted to learn that the European Parliament has commissioned us to plan and run ideas laboratories on the future of Europe. They will take place as part of the European Youth Events 2014 (EYE 2014) in Strasbourg in May. Up to 8000 young people from all over Europe are expected to take parts. Since there will be an online preparation phase, planpolitik’s analog and digital teams are working closely together for the first time.

planpolitik continues to grow – in the digital as well as the analog worlds

When Sandra Holtermann officially joined the planpolitik online team in January, she soon became completely indispensable. Another new recruit is Allan Anderson, our second programmer helping to develop our online range. On the other hand, there has also been a new addition to our “analog” staff : Alex Kuschel, who more than two years worked for us as a freelancer, finally has a permanent contract with us.