Volunteer Focus - Julia Kortmann and Julian Zöpfgen, BPEC interns from Germany.

This time we feature two interns from Germany who spent six weeks at BPEC in the summer and autumn of 2007. Julia Kortmann and Julian Zöpfgen became well liked by all the volunteers during their time here and helped a huge amount with the 25th anniversary party. Julia baked the delicious birthday cake and Julian designed and produced the auction of promises catalogue.

Julia

“I am 23 years old and a student from Germany. I dedicated most of my time at BPEC to the ‘Global Schools Project’, which works with two primary schools in Brighton and aims to embed a global dimension in the school’s ethos over a period of three years. Working on this project I gained insight into the English National School Curriculum and learnt how to bring global perspectives to teaching and learning. Incorporating issues such as fair trade, human rights and sustainability into lessons is of particular interest to me because I am training to become a primary school teacher.

In connection with Black History Month (October), I took pleasure in researching and designing an educational booklet and creating a corresponding themed resource collection box for teachers about ‘Black History – Rights for Everyone’. I also enjoyed assisting in planning, promotion and coordination of the very successful 25th anniversary festivities of BPEC.

I really liked to help represent the organisation to the wider community, for example at the multicultural ‘Tarner World Festival’ (15 September), providing information and advice on environmental and social justice issues and promoting the Centre’s work.

I thank Mareike Britten and Aisha Hannibal for giving me this opportunity. I appreciated that I could work independently and on my own initiative. At the same time I really enjoyed working with the lovely and helpful team at BPEC and advise everybody to do the same!”

Julian

“After a ten week internship at the Brighton Peace and Environment Centre, what impressions have I been left with? This is the question I ask myself two months after my return to Germany and to everyday life at Uni.

The spirit of working with people who are most of the time extremely motivated in what they are doing for and with other people, overcame me quite soon. The first job I was asked to do was to evaluate children’s drawings and to create a presentation. That was helpful because it gave me the opportunity and time to get an overview about the work of the whole centre. Most of the time I was lucky enough to be involved in interesting and challenging daily tasks like taking phone calls or having discussions about various topics with those great people in the centre.

I also took part in meetings regarding the organisation of the centre. I could not imagine a better place to get in touch with so many different people who have common goals.

At the end of my internship I had the great pleasure to organise and attend the big 25th anniversary party. To be involved into preparations from the beginning, to be allowed to make my own decisions and to work in a team was a great experience. It was quite stressful for all of us at some points and we had to make compromises because of lack of time and space, but in the end everyone was happy and it turned out to be a big success. I thank all of you for the great time and your company.”