Course description

About the International Service Learning Project: Do you want to learn more about the human right of food security and the idea of Craftivism? Do you want to engage with an organisation, a global movement that wants to create, protect and preserve human rights for all? If the answer is yes, Amnesty International (Konstanz) needs your help to:

• Introduce and raise awareness of Amnesty International along with their aims as a non-profit-organisation
• Produce a creative campaign on the topic of food security by using the power of Craftivism
• Raise awareness to the public about food security
• Support Amnesty to explain local food rescue awareness in the context of global food security

About Craftivism: Craftivism combines “craft” and “activism” and is a form of creative protest that uses traditional, often textile techniques such as knitting, crocheting or stiching. Often described as a gentle and soft form of activism, it seeks to engage people in meaningful reflection and dialogue by combing the personal and tactile character of crafting with broader socially relevant topics. Trough handmade and symbolic creations craftivism campaigns or actions deal with inequal working conditions, mass production, climate change or human rights. By focussing on care, collaboration and awareness, it empowers individuals and groups to contribute to activism in a quiet but impactful way.

About Amnesty International: Amnesty International works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. As a global movement of over ten million people, Amnesty International is the world's largest grassroots human rights organisation. We investigate and expose abuses, educate and mobilise the public, and help transform societies to create a safer, more just world. We received the Nobel Peace Prize for our life-saving work. To learn more and read about our campaigns click here.

About Food Security: Based on the 1996 World Food Summit, a definition of food security is when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. Food security is hereby an issue impacting not only countries in the Global South, but also in the Global North. This project will therefore provide you with different concepts related to food security, such as food waste and the way food is produced.

You will be taught by art scientist Alina Bonitz, an expert in aesthetic education, anti-discriminatory art education and craftivism. Alina Bonitz, based in Cologne, is an academic in art education, who likes to connect her academic knowledge and skills with societal questions and challenges. She is involved in the in the feminist handicraft collective Wolle, Wein & Wut (Wool, Wine & Anger) and is currently working on a moving knitting performance on the invisibility of homeless women.