weltwärts
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weltwärts
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Local encounters: Partner conference in Colombia

The mentoring of volunteers remains a vital topic

In September, the weltwärts partner organisation in the countries of the Andes met with their German implementing organisations and members of the Programme Steering Committee in Villa de Leyva (Colombia). The focus of the five-day conference was on the mentoring of volunteers and how to act in crisis situations.

The fifty or so participants of the partner conference pose for a group photo in front of a large tree.
Group photo of the participants in the weltwärts partner conference, Colombia 2022.

Finally, they are taking place again: the partner conferences in the weltwärts programme. They allow the participating organisations to engage in dialogue, to network and discuss important topics. The focus of the conference in Colombia was on topics that concern the partner organisations on site in actual practice and less on overriding subjects. The main subject of the conference, the mentoring of volunteers, was carried forward by various activities.

An enriching exchange and exciting discussions evolved through a special method: Controversial statements were put on the scale, and participants could put corn kernels on one of the two weighing trays and give reasons. For example, participants discussed whether projects should be given more or less support by a volunteer service; or whether volunteers work in a project more for learning or more for giving guidance.

Against the backdrop of what everybody underwent during the COVID-19 pandemic, other lively topics that were discussed related to questions of more guidance as to how to act in a crisis situation, how to support volunteers in a crisis and other challenges, e.g. long waiting times for necessary visits to the authorities. In addition, participants were given the opportunity to introduce their own topics in the Open Space. The network of partner organisations in the Andes “Unidos por la montaña” was showcased here, and new members were found.

In closing, Marvin Schmelzer-Pauschinger, representing the Programme Steering Committee in the weltwärts programme, paid tribute to the achievements those present had accomplished during the pandemic and the strength with which they continue to engage with the North-South and the South-North components and many other aspects of the weltwärts programme in such difficult times.

Impressions of the Partner conference in Colombia

  • About 20 participants of the partner conference from several countries sit in a circle of chairs and engage in dialogue with one another in a large seminar room.
    Participants of the partner conference discussed various answer options during a quiz about the weltwärts programme.
  • Ligia Esperanza Buitrago and Martin Schatke (conference moderation team), Maria Belen Mora Hidalgo (Fundación Intercambio Internacional de Desarrollo) and Marvin Schmelzer-Pauschinger (Engagement Global) smile at the camera.
    weltwärts knowledge: On the first day of the partner conference, all participants showcased their work areas. Shown here (from left to right) are Ligia Esperanza Buitrago and Martin Schatke (conference moderation team), Maria Belen Mora Hidalgo (Fundación Intercambio Internacional de Desarrollo) and Marvin Schmelzer-Pauschinger (Engagement Global).
  • Martin Schatke, the moderator of the conference, stands in front of an audience and holds a lecture. In the background is a presentation entitled “Volunteer Service, Social Participation and Democracy” in Spanish.
    On the second day of the conference, Martin Schatke (moderator) gave a stimulating lecture on the topic of volunteer service, social participation and democracy and then sent the participants on a rally that took up these stimuli and invited them to reflect upon them.
  • The fifty or so participants of the partner conference pose for a group photo in front of a large tree.
    Group photo of the participants in the weltwärts partner conference, Colombia 2022.
  • A group of sixteen conference participants stand in front of a waterfall surrounded by wild plant growth and smile for the camera.
    Reflection and nature: On the morning of the third day of the conference, attendees took a guided tour of the Santuario Sagrado Cascadas La Periquera and learned more about the natural surroundings around them, sustainable action and the history of the location they were in.
  • Una balanza de madera en la que se aprecia un claro desequilibrio por la gran cantidad de granos de maíz depositados en el platillo izquierdo. En la balanza figura la pregunta de si los voluntarios y voluntarias actúan apoyando los proyectos en los que pa
    Invitación a debatir temas controvertidos: Los y las participantes emitieron su voto con granos de maíz sobre diferentes cuestiones relativas al programa weltwärts. Con cada grano de maíz se debía fundamentar la decisión en voz alta.
  • A group of participants stands in front of the assembly in a large hall and hold written signs with notes on results about a workshop.
    Open space: On the fourth day of the conference, attendees explored a variety of topics and then presented them the whole group.
  • About 20 participants of the partner conference from several countries sit in a circle of chairs and engage in dialogue with one another in a large seminar room.
    Participants of the partner conference discussed various answer options during a quiz about the weltwärts programme.
  • Ligia Esperanza Buitrago and Martin Schatke (conference moderation team), Maria Belen Mora Hidalgo (Fundación Intercambio Internacional de Desarrollo) and Marvin Schmelzer-Pauschinger (Engagement Global) smile at the camera.
    weltwärts knowledge: On the first day of the partner conference, all participants showcased their work areas. Shown here (from left to right) are Ligia Esperanza Buitrago and Martin Schatke (conference moderation team), Maria Belen Mora Hidalgo (Fundación Intercambio Internacional de Desarrollo) and Marvin Schmelzer-Pauschinger (Engagement Global).
  • Martin Schatke, the moderator of the conference, stands in front of an audience and holds a lecture. In the background is a presentation entitled “Volunteer Service, Social Participation and Democracy” in Spanish.
    On the second day of the conference, Martin Schatke (moderator) gave a stimulating lecture on the topic of volunteer service, social participation and democracy and then sent the participants on a rally that took up these stimuli and invited them to reflect upon them.
  • The fifty or so participants of the partner conference pose for a group photo in front of a large tree.
    Group photo of the participants in the weltwärts partner conference, Colombia 2022.
  • A group of sixteen conference participants stand in front of a waterfall surrounded by wild plant growth and smile for the camera.
    Reflection and nature: On the morning of the third day of the conference, attendees took a guided tour of the Santuario Sagrado Cascadas La Periquera and learned more about the natural surroundings around them, sustainable action and the history of the location they were in.
  • Una balanza de madera en la que se aprecia un claro desequilibrio por la gran cantidad de granos de maíz depositados en el platillo izquierdo. En la balanza figura la pregunta de si los voluntarios y voluntarias actúan apoyando los proyectos en los que pa
    Invitación a debatir temas controvertidos: Los y las participantes emitieron su voto con granos de maíz sobre diferentes cuestiones relativas al programa weltwärts. Con cada grano de maíz se debía fundamentar la decisión en voz alta.
  • A group of participants stands in front of the assembly in a large hall and hold written signs with notes on results about a workshop.
    Open space: On the fourth day of the conference, attendees explored a variety of topics and then presented them the whole group.

Partner conferences reinforce the collaboration and networking between partner organisations from the countries of the Global South and the German implementing organisations. They also provide an excellent opportunity to discuss programme-related issues with representatives from partner organisations and the Programme Steering Committee. A regional partner conference enables the partner organisations in the weltwärts programme to exchange ideas, to network and to meet once again in person. The support and further development of the weltwärts programme in times of a pandemic raise many questions and challenges. The concerns of participants and current developments within weltwärts are therefore the primary focus.

This partner conference was arranged by the German Red Cross in Hessen Volunta with the partners Fundación 180 Ramos de Buitrago and Hostelling International Bolivia. In total, 55 people from Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Germany took part in the conference.

Further information

German Red Cross in Hessen - Volunta gGmbH

Interview with das Andean-network "Unidos por la Montana"

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