Philosophy
Learning that's fun is sustainable learning
Remember how much you used to learn because you had to? Remember how often you got that famous in-one-ear-out-the-other feeling – especially when classic frontal teaching methods were used? We want our participants to have a good time. And that is much more likely to happen if they are actively participating instead of being forced to digest pre-formed truths. Therefore we have always worked with interactive formats. They place the participant at the centre. We provide the framework for more exchange and learning through experiencing. Our own experience of working in this field suggests that learning becomes more sustainable and there is more exchange between learners if they are actively involved.
No right or wrong
We do not tell participants what is right or wrong. We do, of course, have opinions of our own, but we have no mission statement to impose those opinions. We prefer to ask questions, to challenge perceived certainties. Depending on the format we aim to highlight the complexity of socio-political problems or to provide a safe space for the training of skills or the exchange of points-of-view and experiences. We encourage our participants to endure contradictions and to develop empathy for the other side.
Methods are not a goal in themselves
We do not employ interactive methods for the sake of doing so. The deciding factors are always the aim of the individual event and the participants’ interests. Not every method works for everything, not everything has to be done interactively. Finding the right mix is crucial.
The same goes for our newest area of activity: we believe that online formats and blended learning are the future of education. We want to actively help create them, e.g. with our online simulation games. Here, too, we will maintain a critical eye in order to select what will actually be of value to the participants.
We're still learning, too
Even after more than 1000 events we are still learning new things every day. There are always new methods, new topics, new formats, new partner organisations, new participants, new colleagues, new places – the sources of new impressions and influences are inexhaustible. That’s how, over ten years, we have always continued to develop our work. We are, first and foremost, experts in interactive methods. In many subjects, we also have extensive content-related expertise which in return is expanded further through working on new projects.
Only enthusiasm can inspire enthusiasm
It is very important to us that we enjoy our work. Only those who are enthusiastic can inspire enthusiasm in others, and only those who do not take themselves all too seriously can really put the participants first. Therefore, we look for methodic competence just as much as content-related competence when choosing new team members and trainers.
Throughout our successful collaboration with more than 120 different partners, we have demonstrated our porfessionalism and reliability of our work. Yet, we are constantly working on further improving our work. At the same time, our routine, developed in years in the field, has taught us to improvise when necessary. Our experience with participants from all over the world and from all parts of society helps us to always strike the right note.
