Rhizovention Awareness-Policy

Disclaimer: Like the awareness work itself, this policy is an ongoing process and we therefore regard it as a draft and not a finalised document.

General position

With awareness work, we represent a position that reflects social conditions and structures as well as their mechanisms of exclusion and discrimination and seeks to resolutely prevent these in our own political practice; at the same time, awareness work clearly positions itself against racist, sexist, homo/inter/trans-hostile, anti-Semitic, Islamophobic, classist and ableist discrimination. We are open, multilingual, transnational, solidary, anti-fascist, we are feminist, we have a queer claim, we are critical of capitalism and anti-patriarchal.

The following standards of action, attitudes and values arise from this basic attitude in practical awareness work:

• Promote consensus-based action and action by consensus
• Form collective and self-organised, low-hierarchy structures
• Needs-orientated support should be provided
• Partisanship with those affected
• Implementation of forms of definitional power (we do not judge the assault/discrimination on the basis of our own perception, but let the person concerned define it (definitional power)).
• Creating awareness of individual boundaries and needs
• work together for responsible coexistence and ensure an ‘actual state’ in which everyone is responsible.
• Awareness work requires critical and ongoing analyses of power and power structures
• Awareness work is understood as a process
• Confronting one's own privileges
• an intersectional approach is put into practice
• Generated knowledge and material should be made available on a non-commercial basis
• Be aware of your own power over participants and constantly analyse it critically!
• Communicate and maintain confidentiality!

Source: awa* basic attitude / Ud* Awareness Guideline

Awareness at Rhizovention

Our society is characterised by hierarchical and discriminatory structures and we have all been socialised and shaped within this system. Different spaces are safe for different people in different ways. Even if there are already many spaces in which mindful interaction is practised, we cannot speak of discrimination-free spaces here either.

It is important that we address and work on the issue everywhere and at all times, and this is where awareness work comes in: on the one hand, it tries to reduce discriminatory behaviour and, on the other, it focuses on dealing responsibly with border crossings and discrimination.

For us, responsible and conscious behaviour in this context means:

• Clearly stating one's own boundaries and pointing out when these have been overstepped.
• Power of Definition:The perspective and needs of those affected are at the centre of the power of definition. At that moment, it is not primarily about finding out the truth. It is about allowing the person affected to decide for themselves what they have experienced, whether and how bad the experience was and how it should be dealt with! (Within the bounds of what is possible for us, of course).
• Partisanship: Partisanship refers more to the attitude of standing on the side of the oppressed person: being an ally, being aware of the dynamics described above and actively counteracting them.
• Consensus-based behaviour:Always act in agreement with the people in question and do not patronise them!
• A culture of conscious error. We are aware that we as an awareness team are also products of our socialisation and are not exempt from the danger of reproducing violent structures. We try to uphold and expand the values mentioned above. Awareness is a work in progress. If you have any comments or criticism in this regard, please contact us.

The Rhizovention awareness concept is designed to promote this approach. The concept consists of the following parts:

• Rhizovention is supported by a two-person awareness team. Everyone is welcome to contact the awareness team at any time. Whether it is because your boundaries have been crossed, you have experienced or witnessed violence, you feel uncomfortable or you would like to talk about something.
• The team will introduce themselves during the morning rounds and you can approach the awareness team at any time. There will also be an awareness number that you can use to contact the awareness team at any time.
• Translation: The awareness team will also translate the morning sessions. If you need translation, please contact the team at the beginning of the session. The possible languages are: English, Spanish, Portuguese.
• The awareness tent, this is meant to be a safe place for everyone. You can use it to talk to us about problems or incidents. But you are also welcome to talk to us about awareness in general or discuss specific issues. And if everything gets too much for you, you are welcome to use the awareness tent to come to yourself.
• We will be in the awareness tent around mealtimes and if you like, you can also text us on the awareness number with a time when you would like to meet in the awareness tent.

Together, we want to make it our mission to make Rhizovention a safe(r) space for everyone. To promote a respectful, mindful and consensus-based approach to ourselves and others.

If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact the awareness team at any time.