GEgen COvid - Soziale Distanz überwinden -

<< Background >>The rules in the COVID phase have affected life and work (lockdown, home office, contact ban, cancellation of cultural events, tourism, sport, etc.). There have been significant cuts to everyday life. Strategies were developed everywhere to deal with this situation. This phase should be reflected upon and the solution strategies assessed. It seemed important to critically analyse whether the strategies were appropriate, half-hearted, inappropriate, etc.A review and an analysis of the status quo should clarify what consequences the enforced social distancing has had for the various areas of life. With a very mixed group of partners, we implemented an intercultural and intergenerational approach. Ways of ‘overcoming social distancing’ were the guiding aspect of the work. If we are more practised in dealing with exceptional situations, with distance and social isolation, we can develop better ways of making provisions for a - more or less - normal life in times of crisis. This is closely linked to our physical and mental health and our general well-being. The planned design of scenes can be categorised as anticipation.<< Objectives >>We wanted to compare the approaches in our respective regions - from the west of Ireland to Finland, the Baltic states and Slovakia, which made such an exchange interesting. We wanted to learn from each other how they dealt with difficult situations and constructively solved problems that arose due to contact bans.We wanted to research the background in order to better analyse ‘social distancing’, ‘isolation’ and ‘resilience’.We wanted to create scenes that show exemplary situations in which solutions have worked or failed. We wanted to encourage and intensify discussion, critical reflection and better preparation for similar situations at various levels. We wanted to compile material that could be used for learning processes and that could be passed on in a course, for example, to enable other interested parties to review and analyse this remarkable phase of life. We also wanted to encourage the partner organisations to present their own measures and reflect on them together as a team.We wanted to compile material that could be used for learning processes and that could be passed on in a course, for example, to enable othe<< Implementation >>Small video scenes were created in all partner organisations that recreate various everyday situations during the pandemic. It was important to show problems, disputes and solutions. Some suboptimal solutions are also recorded. (see homepage)Two videos were created with the entire team, one showing the work process, the start-up phase and the reflection, and a second video showing an award ceremony in which the best videos are honoured. In this way, it was possible to play some of the videos in short extracts. Diary entries were collected that show situations during the COVID phase from 14 different perspectives. People between the ages of 18 and 76 have their say. As part of the project, two student theses (term papers /BA theses) were created, which can also be found on the homepage, as well as further research results and theatre scenes (PP) from the project work.In the final phase of the project, we decided to produce a publication because we realised that we had collected enough material for it.A training course is planned for `25, which will be offered via the homepage and the partners.<< Results >>We created a flyer for the project type to provide information about the project. This flyer was also used throughout the entire duration of the project. We present a differentiated, content-rich homepage: geco.westfaelisches-forum.de.We present a publication: Ulrike Kurth (ed.), OVERCOMING SOCIAL DISTNACING , series: Bildungsprojekt Europa, Medien-Verlag Bielefeld 2024We presented the project at four conferences and offered presentations and workshops with research results and exercises (resilience/mindfulness):  European Conference 5/2023, Paderborn  European Conference 5/2024, Paderborn International Conference 9/2023, Liepaja International Conference 9/2024, LiepajaThe team continues to pursue the topic and offers a training course in English and German. There are two dates: in Paderborn (April 25) and in Liepaja (Sep. 25). The course takes up the project content The participating organisations have used the materials for learning processes. The diary excerpts in particular were used for a differentiated evaluation of the COVID phase. A final evaluation (see homepage for results) showed that the possible uses of the material were rated very positively by the institutions.