Vienna Meeting by Jennifer Fulton from University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland

Meeting Vienna 18-21st May 2011

Buffet of the nations

After a long journey and very little to eat from BA, we were glad to enjoy a wonderful selection of food at the international buffet in the Volkshochschule in Vienna. There was a variety of meats, cheese and fish with tortilla from Spain. We enjoyed delicious biscuits and cakes and some delegates were puzzled with the term “clootie” dumpling but enjoyed it all the same.

Just as important as the food was the warm welcome we received from other delegates from Slupsk in Poland, Barcelona, Ljubljana in Slovenia, Berlin, Ulm and Vienna. It was good to be able to relax and meet people informally.

Presentation of Examples from the project work in each country

On Thursday we split into different groups. I was in a German and Polish group. About twenty of us sat around a large group of tables and it was agreed we would each briefly describe the kind of voluntary work, we were involved in. The session began with Polish delegates talking about their work. Fortunately their interpreter spoke German slowly and clearly and I was able to follow her. One of the volunteers worked with the elderly – talking to them, caring and taking them out. Others worked with handicapped school students and another one was involved with “Caritas.” There was an emphasis on oral history and some volunteers described to young people their life after the Second World War. A gentleman from Berlin worked with a theatre group. The kind of voluntary work was varied and interesting. We had a break and it was decided that we would continue with a question and answer session.

Workshops

In the afternoon we had a choice of activities and I decided to participate in a creative writing group. The theme was Wien und die Musik. This was presented in German and Hilde, one of the participants from Glasgow, translated for us. There were seven of us and we were each asked to choose ten words associated with the theme. There was a wide variety of words including crinoline and candelabra. We were then asked to write a short semi autobiographical piece, which we were invited to share with the rest of the group. Our written pieces were all was very varied but it was agreed that Mana Hazlett should read hers at the plenary session and explain our task. She wrote an evocative piece about her fourth year school dance. To me it sounded very Scottish but everyone seemed to be able to empathise with the feelings of this young girl and of course Mana delighted the conference.

Other groups made a beautiful hanging from felt. Those who took part found it relaxing and enjoyed the opportunity to be able to chat about volunteering work with others.

I was sorry I missed the interviews but look forward to going on line and seeing them.

World Cafe

On Friday after a warm up we split into three groups of about twenty. I was with a mainly German speaking group. We had to discuss the following:-

1. Are my assignments in accordance with my interests/talents?

2. Is my work well coordinated and monitored? Are the coordinators competent?

3. Is there sufficient training/supervision?

4. Is too much/ too little expected of me?

5. Am I in competition with other paid workers? Do I jeopardise their jobs?

6. What are the rewards (general esteem and appreciation)?

7. What could be improved?

It was felt that there were occasions when volunteers could jeopardise jobs especially those of lower paid workers. Most people chose to work in areas appropriate to their talents. Most people felt their training was satisfactory. There was a need for more state funding, legal assistance and insurance for voluntary organisations.

We also discussed

Is voluntary work different from country to country?

What have I learned from other communities?

Which awareness and expectation have we/ has society from voluntary work?

There were many similarities especially between Germany and Scotland. For example, some delegates were involved with Oxfam and Fairtrade. There were not the same number of Oxfam shops in Germany compared to UK but most large cities had at least one Oxfam shop.

Spain had a long tradition of voluntary work but it was felt there were too many laws about voluntary work and there was a danger of it being institutionalised.

The Polish delegates were from the University of the Third Age. Many were involved with Caritas which helped the homeless and prisoners.

In Slovenia some were involved helping people with special needs, the Red Cross, the Fire Service and also with Caritas.

In the German group from Ulm many were involved with local politics. Although this work was onerous they received no financial recompense and in some cases had difficulty regarding personal expenses.

In each group there were twenty and we had a short time to discuss above mentioned topics. On reflection it would have been better if there had been about six in a group and we had fewer topics to discuss. There was a lack of opportunity to discuss volunteering in depth and to analyse problems and how to tackle them.

Lunches and Dinner

The arrangement for lunch and our evening meals were excellent. The lunches in the Volkshochschule were ample and of a high standard.

It was good to have an opportunity to sit with an international group in the evening and enjoy the best of Austrian cooking – the schnitzel was great! Of course discussion of our voluntary work continued and despite coming from different countries our views and outlook were similar.

City Tour

The city tour led by Albert Hirl was unforgettable. It began at the old university and we walked down to the Burg Theater. It was interesting to see the balcony of the Hofburg, where Hitler addressed about a million Austrians in 1939.  We passed by the Spanish riding school and continued onto the Jewish quarter where we saw Rachel Whiteread’s Memorial to the Victims of the Holocaust. We then walked up the Kohlmarkt and three hours later arrived at a traditional Austrian restaurant in the historical centre of Vienna. Vienna is a beautiful city and I hope to return their again with my husband and explore the site at our leisure.

Planning and General Organisation

The general organisation from Strathclyde was carried out most efficiently. We had a workshop where we had an opportunity to discuss our commitment to volunteering and the art work in the afternoon was a reflection of this. We had an initial meeting with Lynda Scott who explained travel arrangements to and within Vienna. There were some last minute changes by our hosts but Lynda contacted us and explained about plans for an international buffet. We were escorted to and from the hotel to the Volkshochschule where the conference was taking place. On Friday Melanie Trenchard and Claire Hill took over from Lynda and they escorted us back to Glasgow.

The Volkshochschule was a good venue and our hotel was very comfortable.

 

Conclusion

The Glasgow group were fortunate in having Hilde Partenheimer to translate for us. She is a skilled interpreter and it meant that we were able to share our experiences with Germans who did not speak English.

I enjoyed the few days I had in Vienna and everyone was friendly and helpful. It was interesting listening to work done by volunteers and some were inspirational. The many delegates I met have the energy and commitment to improve our society and especially to help less fortunate members of society. I look forward to meeting up with new friends again, when they visit Strathclyde.

 

One Response to “Vienna Meeting by Jennifer Fulton from University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland”

  1. thanks to Jennifer, that article was so detailed and explanatory, by the last session on the Friday I was pretty bamboozled at trying to concentrate and her account has really helped me to get a grasp of how much we achieved!
    I am also very grateful for Jennifers skills in being able to talk in German herself,and likewise for Angelica’s help in translating. must learn some languages! never too late eh!