Off Agenda Programme   view as chat

The Off Agenda programme is essentially everything peripheral to the official learning agenda :-)

It has the following goals:

  • Strengthen group integration
  • Expose diversity of cultures and traditions
  • Create a relaxed environment for further learning

Off Agenda programme items occur during "free" time in the afternoon breaks and evenings. Internally, it can be divided into passive and active activities. Activities are based on local resources, and are yet another chance for participants to not only interact with each other, but also engage with the event hosts and their culture.

Afternoons

In the afternoons, all the labs are open, and sport facilities are prepared ready for those requiring more physical activities. Where possible, additional creative opportunities should be created. In Bangalore in 2004 CF John, an artist in residence, worked on a gigantic mural with all the participants. It was used as a background to a discussion about intellectual property and copyrights, and was finally cut into over 100 pieces for all participants to take home. Dance and yoga workshops were also organised for volunteers. The event location is important in determining afternoon activities: Summer Source and Africa Source 2 were located by the sea shore and a lake respectively, that created great opportunities for relaxing and swimming.

When there is opportunity, contributions to the local communities are important. In Uganda, a group of 30 participants built a water source for the village.

Evenings

In the evenings, there are usually a variety of events occurring in parallel. An informal, welcoming space should be created on the first evening, for people to get to know each other (this has sometimes happened around a bonfire).

There is also usually a local dance/theatre evening, with local "indie" performers. Music is a key feature at least twice during a Camp, in the form of DJing and a final farewell party on the last evening. Other evenings feature, for example, "open mic" singing competitions, games evenings (when participants teach other various group games), and film screenings.

Outing Day

Outing day holds some exciting fun for all, and options for activities range from hikes to visits to projects in the vicinity, and volunteer contribution to local activities. Outing days are ideally used as case studies to highlight issues that relate to the skills learned during the tracks.

Examples of outings for previous events:

  • Africa Source 2 participants helped a local project build a well. They also walked through the orchards, had a boat ride on the lake, and went hiking.

Add extra fun stuff

  • Include a sport-like event, such as stretching-yoga.
  • Freeform talks occur between evening programme and sessions, and usually involve presentations on unusual topics, e.g. subversive technology and culture jamming.
  • New Reality Development Kit - See NRD Kit
  • Culture jamming - See Sniggle







Last edited by: Marek
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