Workshops

 Each Workshop is 3,5 hours 

Saturday 9:30 to 12:30 pm 

IKEA dein Feedback (english)

Feedback is a constant part of our lives. We are often encouraged to give constructive feedback, but what happens on the receiving end? How do we process feedback – especially when it’s negative or unexpected?In this interactive workshop, we will explore different types of feedback and which emotional reactions they can elicit. We will discuss practical strategies to manage these reactions and turn feedback into a valuable tool for personal growth and learning.

Queer 101: From Labels to Allyship – A Beginner’s Guide (english)

This workshop is designed for people with no or low prior knowledge on queer topics, who are interested in identifying and understanding some queer identity labels, in understanding where queerphobia begins - and in how to argue against some everyday queerphobic rhetorics. 

We will discuss what you may already know and why it is important to have a basic understanding of queer identities to be an ally to queer people. You will gain a better understanding about the facets of queerphobia and you will get a chance to use your acquired knowledge on how to argue against queerphobia.

My AFS Superpowers: Leveraging your volunteer experience for your career (english)

Sometimes you have so much fun volunteering for AFS that you don't notice how many valueable skills you are accumulating. In this interactive workshop, we aim to highlight the valuable experiences and skills you have gained through your volunteering efforts in an intercultural youth exchange organization called AFS: How can I communicate my experience to my boss or during a job interview? How do I add it to my LinkedIn profile or my CV? Let's explore together how we can highlight Active Global Citizenship im the workplace!

Color your life (english)

How can you make a flipchart more visually engaging? Six markers — 1,000 possibilities. Looking for alternatives to boring PowerPoint slides? In this workshop, we will introduce you to the basics of visualization and graphic facilitation for everyday use in AFS — as well as in school, university, and work. Prepare to be surprised!

Figma your way (english)

In this workshop you will learn how to use Figma, an alternative to Canvas that makes your designs look fresh and clean. We will create a poster for an event and will talk about design principles. No previous knowledge is needed - but could be beneficial.

For this workshop it is ideal to have a group of up to 12-15 people. Participants should bring their own laptop - or work together with another person.

Werde Stammtischkämpfer*in: Problematische Kommentare und Parolen kontern (deutsch)

Wir alle kennen das: In der Diskussion mit Arbeitskolleg*innen, dem Gespräch mit der Tante oder beim Grillen mit dem Sportverein fallen Sprüche, die uns die Sprache verschlagen. Später ärgern wir uns und denken: da hätten wir gerne den Mund aufgemacht, widersprochen, diese (rechten) Parolen nicht einfach so stehen lassen. 

Hier wollen wir ansetzen und euch in die Lage versetzen, die Schreckstarre zu überwinden, Position zu beziehen und deutlich zu machen: "Das nehme ich so nicht hin!" 

Wir können in vielen Alltagssituationen in unserem Umfeld durch Widerspruch, deutliches Positionieren und engagierte Diskussionen ein Zeichen setzen die Stimmung beeinflussen und unentschlossenen Menschen ein Beispiel geben.

Im Workshop erproben wir Handlungsmöglichkeiten, die uns dabei unterstützen, problematischen Kommentaren etwas entgegenzusetzen. 

The Listener: Better communication (SIMA) (english)

It is time to break through the stalemates of polarization and engage in productive conversations. How do we create space – emotionally and intellectually – to listen to other points of view and experiences? How do we share our own ideas without fear or judgment? ​​Debate is not a war of words, it’s a set of skills and mindsets that support productive conversations and help us deal effectively with local problems, as well as global issues. Following Doha Debates methodology, we position debating as a search for common understanding, building consensus, organizational learning, and discovering interventions that will have a positive impact on those most affected by the issue.

Well-being for volunteers and staff (english)
 

Saturday 2pm to 5.30pm  (10 Workshops)

Between Adaptation and Integrity: Designing Spaces for Belonging (english)

The workshop combines reflection, discussion, and practical exercises to explore tools for fostering psychological safety, interrupting bias in everyday interactions, and using inclusive language more intentionally. Participants will reflect on the contexts in which they want to apply these ideas – whether in volunteer work, professional environments, or community spaces – and develop concrete strategies for shaping more inclusive and supportive group cultures.

Calm in chaos: Navigating critical situations in camps (english)

Camps are full of unforgettable moments - but not all of them are easy. From homesickness to cultural clashes and conflicts (including internal struggles), volunteers often find themselves in the middle of emotionally charged situations. The question is: how do you respond in a way that defuses tension, supports those involved, and keeps the camp environment safe and inclusive?

This interactive workshop immerses you in real-life scenarios where you’ll practice de-escalation techniques, active listening, and crisis navigation - because knowing what to do in theory is one thing, but handling it in the moment is another. You’ll build confidence in navigating even the trickiest camp situations with calmness, care, and emotional awareness.

Schutz beginnt mit Dialog: Offene Diskussion zum AFS Schutzkonzept (german)

In diesem interaktiven Workshop setzen wir uns mit den zentralen Elementen des AFS Schutzkonzepts auseinander, reflektieren bestehende Maßnahmen, teilen Erfahrungen und identifizieren mögliche Verbesserungspotenziale. Wir diskutieren zu Wissen über präventive Maßnahmen, entwickeln Fähigkeiten mit klaren Interventionsstrategien und prüfen die Haltung innerhalb des Vereins.

Search engine Utopia (english)

Throughout history, humans have looked for answers: in religion, in nature, and in

the digital age, in search engines like Google. With the rise of AI models, the

relationship between humans and search is changing once again. In this workshop,

we will imagine and design what a truly human-centered search engine could be

and discuss the principles that would make a search engine a utopia rather than just

a tool or worse a dystopia.

Active Global Musicianship (english)

Come and explore musical presence using your voice, body percussion, and a variety of simple instruments. 

In this workshop, we will experiment with collective music-making, active listening, and creative improvisation. Participants will explore ways to connect through sound, express emotions, and develop spontaneous musical ideas together. 

Participants will experience how music brings people together and builds bridges across cultures. 

The focus is on communication through music rather than technical skill. Musical experience can be helpful, but it is not required. Everyone is welcome. 

If you play an instrument, feel free to bring it if you can. 

From group to team: The power of teambuilding (english)

Are you part of a group that feels a little uncommitted and "all over the place"? Or maybe you're a group leader trying to bring people together, but struggling to keep everyone motivated and focused? Whether you're facing group challenges or simply want to understand the psychology behind strong teamwork, this workshop is for you!

We’ll explore what makes a group truly function as a team. You’ll dive into the dynamics and structure of group behavior, learn how to recognize effective leadership, and discover ways to engage different personalities and motivations. We’ll talk about how to transform individual differences and diversity into a team’s greatest strength, rather than its biggest obstacle. You’ll gain practical tools for motivating individuals, recognizing their potential, and helping them to contribute meaningfully to the team’s shared goals.

Living and empowering sustainable development as an Active Global Citizen with AFS (english)

Based on the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals we want to develop and discuss areas of participation in sustainable development for AFSers. To be as specific and close to our own reality we want to focus on ourselves as individuals or chapters and less on AFS as organization (although ideas are welcome).

Guiding questions could be:

What options for actions and impact do I have during my exchange/as host family/as buddy?

How can I/we make our chapter and/or our activities more sustainable?

Which steps can be taken before, during and after seminars?

Sunday 9am to 12.30pm  (Workshops)

Coping with stress and burnout to gain resilience (english) 

We will discuss different types of stressors and their effects in terms of behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and physical stress reactions. We will also take a look at different stages of “burnout” as gradual development, and will present some “It is OK” affirmations to deal with immediate stress reactions.

As a more comprehensive approach to stress management and to the prevention of burnout we will talk about the meaning of “resilience” and will present some practical tips and techniques for everyday life.

Starke Betreuung für Gastfamilien: Herausforderungen souverän begleiten (german) 

Was tun, wenn es in der Gastfamilie nicht rund läuft? 

In diesem Workshop liegt der Fokus auf dem Umgang mit herausfordernden Situationen, insbesondere im Wechselfall und der Nachbereitung einer problematischen Gastfamilienerfahrung. 

Durch den Austausch und die gemeinsame Analyse praxisnaher Beispiele und Best Practices mit anderen Engagierten wird Sicherheit im Betreuungsprozess geschaffen.

Promoting social change through AGC in volunteering (english)

After brief inputs on the concepts of “Active Global Citizenship” and “social change” (how it happens and what can be done to promote it) we will analyze a case study video and identify some helpful activities to bring about change.

We will then work in breakout groups, each on a specific major global problem, and reflect on what should be done at different levels of society to bring about positive change, and collect ideas on how we ourselves can contribute at the local level and as individuals in our volunteering activities.

The group results will be visualized, presented to the entire workshop group, and general insights for our work will be summarized.

Leadership im Komitee (german)

Meine AFS Superpowers: Wie kann ich meine Erfahrung als AFS Volunteer beruflich nutzen? (german)

Manchmal macht ehrenamtliches Engagement bei AFS so viel Spaß, dass man gar nicht merkt, wie viele wertvolle Kompetenzen man dabei ganz nebenbei entwickelt. In diesem interaktiven Workshop möchten wir die wertvollen Erfahrungen und Fähigkeiten sichtbar machen, die du durch dein Engagement in der interkulturellen Jugendaustauscharbeit bei AFS gesammelt hast: Wie kann ich meine Erfahrungen meinem*meiner Vorgesetzten oder in einem Bewerbungsgespräch vermitteln? Wie kann ich sie in meinem LinkedIn-Profil oder Lebenslauf darstellen? Lass uns gemeinsam entdecken, wie wir Active Global Citizenship im Berufsleben sichtbar machen können!

Exit Game "Gefangen im Amt für gesellschaftliche Normalität" (german)

Die Spieler*innen sind im „Amt für gesellschaftliche Normalität“ eingeschlossen – einer scheinbar neutralen Behörde, in der jedoch patriarchale Regeln den Alltag

bestimmen. Durch Rätsel, Entscheidungen und Zusammenarbeit erleben sie, wie strukturelle Ungleichheiten wirken – und wie gemeinsames Handeln Wege hinaus

eröffnen kann.

Wirklich für alle? Wen sprechen wir an als AFS? (german)

Lebendige Demokratie - Democracy in Action (english)