What is an Awareness Team, what is a “safe(r) space”?

Every one of us (probably) enjoys a good EuroPeers or Erasmus+ event. You get to meet new people, learn about new (or old) topics, and have a good time together. But what if there are situations in which a person is making someone else feel uncomfortable? In an optimal world everyone would be able to address this to each other and resolve it easily. However, probably we have all experienced cases in which this doesn’t work, or someone doesn’t feel able to speak up. Then it is a good time to call in the Awareness Team, if there even is one at the event. 

What is an Awareness Team? 

An Awareness Team usually first makes sure that every participant at an event agrees on the fact that we all want to have an enjoyable time together (whatever that means). This main principle is pretty self-explanatory – everyone wants to feel comfortable at an event. It is easily said, but is it also easily done? Here are the two main points which any Awa-Team wants you to think about: 

• People are different. They have different needs; they have different boundaries. Some might love to socialize 24/7, some might want to chill alone for 2 hours at a longer event. Some like hugs all the time, some don’t. Although we have many things in common, we are different and that is okay. 
• There are some structures in society which make it difficult for everyone to have a good time. Issues like sexist, racist, or queer/homo/transphobic behavior as well as gender stereotypes, antisemitism and more exist and it is our responsibility to educate ourselves on these topics and not fall into behavior patterns that continue these issues. There are plenty of good sources which can help you see those patterns in society or your own life and prevent them! 

But getting to the point, raising awareness on these two main points helps everyone to avoid behavior that discriminates others and makes them feel uncomfortable. Meaning we all try to make a safer space – a space where people feel safe to be themselves, have their boundaries respected and not be discriminated by others. This obviously doesn’t mean that you have to be best friends with everyone, but all of us should feel comfortable enough to attend an event without having to fear disrespectful behavior from others.  

This can look differently at each event. Here are some examples of guidelines that you can give for your own event: 

• I think of my own individual needs/boundaries and respect them – I also respect the needs/boundaries of others. (and communicate them) 
• I try to raise awareness for respecting boundaries, avoiding violence, structural discrimination or power relations. 

• I let people judge their own feelings of discomfort (I don’t argue about or question their boundaries) 
• I try to be open minded (without expectations)  
• I acknowledge that violence is not only physical – rude comments, discrimination or harassment are also violent 

Should a situation occur in which one person doesn’t feel comfortable with the behavior of others, the person concerned can choose to talk to the Awareness Team confidentially (meaning the Awa-Team won’t tell anyone else, except if it is needed/wanted). If a person behaves disrespectfully towards others, the aim is to open a smaller space in which there can be a reflection about why an action was maybe disrespectful or making someone uncomfortable and how responsibility can be taken. The ultimate goal is to make people aware of how their behavior may affect others and to reach a better interaction with the people around us.  

As participant or Awareness Team member it is very challenging to notice and observe the behavior and feelings of everyone in the group, but it is important that all participants know that there’s someone they can turn to in case they should feel uncomfortable – especially if it is through the actions of other participants.  

It might not always be possible to have an Awareness Team at an event, and sometimes you might even think it is not needed. But it is important that  

1. people have someone to talk to during an event if they experience discomfort or discriminating behavior of others and 
2. the person who is practicing any kind of hurtful or discriminatory behavior, even if it is just at one small moment, is talked to and it is made sure the issue gets settled.
   

I think we all aren’t perfect but learning how to communicate with each other mindfully can resolve a lot of issues and can contribute to us all having a better time at an event where we treat each other with respect. 

*Awareness means something like attention/consciousness. Through making everyone in the group sensitive towards discriminating behavior and the differences of everyone’s needs and boundaries, there is a possibility to make a safer space -where everyone is feeling safe/comfortable.