What is the good practice about?

The Initiative is consisting of educational workshops for and with youth, researchers, policy makers, other interested in preventing gender-based violence, providing education on media literacy, enhancing the Orange economy, co-developing the circular knowledge-to-action eco-system on the nexus of cognitive humanities, science diplomacy policy communication, including the gender perspective; educational sessions for development of multilingual assertive communication skills, citizen science projects, art-based explorative learning and research methodology; open focus group sessions, promotional materials, international meetings, art co-productions and promotional material design. The initiative started in 2021 in Vienna and is active internationally, to stop femicide, cyber bullying, generational violence. "Isplesi pa reci" is a tailored bound of activities for Western Balkan countries, presented at the “Federführung ^dah vremena^" workshop in Belgrade, 2021, connected with dance, fine arts, multimedia arts & multilingual storytelling sessions.

Why is this initiative needed?

Because of the raising number of femicide cases in Austria and Europe-wide, the Covid-19 effects on mental health and human relationships, depression (17% of young people diagnosed in Austria).

What are the main objectives?

Drawing on the fact that all kinds of human relations and relationships are emotionally led, the leaders of this initiative believe that the prevention of domestic violence, in particular femicide and generational violence, can be supported by art-based cross-generational learning to understand, express, and communicate emotional states, but also to learn about legal rules and human rights starting from kindergarten and elementary education.

What are the main activities?

Educational workshops have been co-designed in the practice with youth, children, pedagogues, social workers, artist and scientists, presented at relevant panels, conferences, symposia, activities led with youth (girls), blind students in Vienna, ERASMUS+ international partner (students & teachers), dance arts students and teachers, policy makers. Young initiative is still in the process of co-development, each presentation and workshop has been discussed, activities explored, responses included into further development with all participants (youth, policy makers, researchers, scientist, artist, diplomats). Austrian post is going to produce a special stamp in July 2023 with the Orange Feather motive, currently creating suitable marketing concept.

Who is involved?

Austrian SDG Award in May 2022 for improved efficiency, quantitative results have been measured in numbers of participants, strategic partner organisations. Qualitative results consisting of feedback from participants, invitations to present the Initiative and collaborate with relevant institutions such as UNESCO, UNECE, IIASA Austria, Mete association Italy, NCH college London, youth centres in Austria, beneficiary partner Noah’s ark academy Maragoli, Kenya.

Can this good practice be replicated?

With one feather resource, the initiators propose to move across countries, win Austrian SDG Award, reach corporations, governments, CSOs, youth...

Further links:

• Webpage author: https://www.tatjana-christelbauer.com/en/orange-feder
• Webpage, platform arts4sciences4culturaldiplomacy2030: https://www.acdvienna.org/arts4science4culturaldiplomacy/
• Workshops (in German), creative design: https://www.acdvienna.org/orange-feather

Relevant RRI keys: Gender Equality in Research and Innovation (R&I), Ethics (in R&I), Public Engagement (for R&I), Science Education with art-based methodology

Type of practice: Promotional activities/events/campaigns, Publications/promotional material, Promotion of partnering opportunities, Relations with media, Strategic & action planning, Participation in public policy/researches/studies, Winning new clients/members, Organisation of info days, workshop, seminars, etc., Organisation of training, webinars, Organisation of conferences, panels, round-tables, Promotion of cultural change, e.g. better management of professional and personal life, improved culture to accept failure, Establishment of new decision-making structures or boards (e.g., related to ethics, discrimination, etc.)

Target groups: researchers (starting from PhD-candidates, on the individual level), universities, research performing organisations, research and innovation funding organisations, leaders and trainers of youth centres (children, pupils), students (up to Master level), Policy makers, diplomats, applied artists