KAUZ

KAUZ (Werkstatt für Klima, Arbeit und Zukunft) – laboratory for Climate, Work and Future. Envisioned as a three-year education project consisting of a series of podcasts, videos and micro-learning sessions on social networks, KAUZ explores why we live and work to the detriment of others, and how we can achieve a good life for everyone.

The KAUZ initiative – Laboratory for Climate, Work and Future was developed by the authors of the brochure “Von A wie Arbeit bis Zwie Zukunft. Arbeiten und Wirtschaften in der Klimakrise”. Following the brochure’s publication, they wanted to continue working together in the field of education. In the meantime, they have been joined by others: KAUZ encompasses four partner organisations in Germany, Italy, and Croatia, and it is funded by the European Union Erasmus+ programme as part of a three-year project (September 2020 – August 2023). In Austria, the initiative found its home in the Periscope association, but continues to exist mostly due to voluntary work of its members.

What is KAUZ about?

Ecological limits of our planet inevitably lead to great changes in our European lifestyle. In their seminal scientific paper “The Imperial Mode of Living”, university professors Ulrich Brank and Markus Wissen have shown how our way of life leads to global, unsustainable development and brings about a rapid climate crisis. The latest example is the coronavirus, which not only originates from the artificial reduction of wildlife habitats, but also points to gaps and traps in our current economic system. The coronavirus has once again shown that our current life and economic models must change – having democracy, protection of the environment, and social justice as their basis. Our sustainable and democratic future can continue only through active participation of people. However, the phenomena of the current imperial mode of living, such as pressure due to high expectations, stress and excessive consumption, often distract us from being focused on solutions and can lead to nationalism, extremism and permanent degradation of the environment. Therefore, we advocate for an informed public, fact-based decision making, and welcome bold political, social and individual changes necessary for a just and sustainable future.

Our vision

Our goal are enlightened and informed people that actively support a just transition, participate in political processes, and build a future worth living. Our target group are, on the one hand, teachers in adult education, especially those who work in the field of sustainability. On the other hand, as principal users, we are focused on people between 18 and 65 years of age that are open to exploring alternative modes of living and production based on solidarity. This group was chosen due to our focus on work and production. These challenges can only be solved internationally, which is why the project is based in Austria (Periscope Association), Germany (Common Future Association and University of Siegen), Croatia (Adult Education Institution Dante), and Italy (University of Bolzano). Working in these close by countries facilitates travelling to in person project meetings, removing the need to travel by plane. Nevertheless, we would like to go even further, and reach other countries. The project will produce and distribute multiple-use materials for blended learning through workshops, a series of podcasts, video clips and micro-learning sessions. Persons who will continue to implement the project will be trained in the use of these materials, so as to ensure they are used and developed in a sustainable manner. The whole content will be easy to listen and understand, and will include adults who have not completed formal higher education. The quality of these education materials will be ensured through two trainings for team members of participating organisations. The training will include delivering workshops, formulation and moderation. The second training will be focused on peer learning through exchange of experiences the participants acquired in the workshops. We will also discuss how our activities can continue after the project has ended. The project’s long-term benefit is the promotion of an active civic society through interactive methods and creation of sustainable networks. KAUZ encourages learners to actively model a just transition aimed at transforming our societies in accordance with ecological and sustainable development.

Project activities

In cooperation with different civic society organisations, four workshop concepts will be developed and offered. These are intended to familiarise participants with the concepts of imperial and solidary modes of living, discuss global value chains and implementation of just transitions that do not leave behind neither people nor the environment, while also dealing with the issue of care. By gathering people at workshops, we wish to develop alternatives and stimulate the inclusion of civic society. Our podcast series is intended to reach people with limited time at their disposal, and encourage them to participate in such events. On the one side, the podcasts will show interviews with people who already implement solidary alternatives in their everyday lives, but are the same as you and me. On the other, there will be episodes where experts discuss topics such as sustainable development, possibilities of ecological and fair production and consumption, etc. Video clips are made up of animated whiteboard clips that explain important concepts and the context, and provide thought-provoking conversations, discussions and interviews with leading experts. The video clips will be included as discussion points in our workshop series, while simultaneously being used as independent learning material for persons who will continue to promote the project and teachers in adult education.

Micro learning sessions consists of a series of concise materials on social media, such as short comic books, pictures and memes that can be watched in one minute, serving as a source of inspiration. The goal is to disseminate these materials and reach a large number of people. Humour is an important approach. Although each micro learning session has its own topic, they should follow a common thread. Micro learning sessions are also designed to provide feedback and moderated discussions in comments, so as to enable users to share their experiences and gain new knowledge.