SAIIER 2020:ACI - Disha Info Desk
Disha Info Desk
a project of Entity::Auroville Campus Initiative
The aim of the Disha Info Desk is to provide guidance, information about learning opportunities and internships, and support to Auroville youth above 18 on a quest for further learning or internships within Auroville.
Description of project:
The Disha Info Desk was created by Auroville Campus Initiative (ACI) to replace the Disha Gap Year Programme, which was cancelled due to lack of participants.
The idea of the Info Desk is to provide support to the Auroville youth on demand and in a personalised manner.
At first, the help desk had open walk-in hours, twice a week in SAIIER, where Valentine sat ready to receive anyone needing help. However, the timings made it difficult for students in school to attend. Due to the low walk-in rate, meetings will now take place after contacting Valentine in advance via email or phone.
Valentine has also been meeting with YouthLink and Youth Center, with the aim of collaborating towards the creation of more learning activities for the Auroville youth. The main outcome was the revival of the Conscious Learning Nights in Youth Center, which were originally organised by YC two years ago, and had stopped happening due to the absence of a dedicated coordinator. Valentine took up this role in collaboration with the Youth Center team, as she believes these night sessions are extremely valuable since they offer precious information about different aspects of Auroville to the youth in a familiar and comfortable setting.
Here is a list of the sessions that were organised (they took place on Thursday evenings at 7:30 in Youth Centre):
- A reflection about Auroville with Aurovik
- Let’s talk about YC with Renu and Wazo
- An introduction to Hemplanet with Tom
- Creative Writing with Francesca
- Body Consciousness and Energy Dynamics with Stefano
- Create your Vision Board with Valentine
- An introduction to Zero Waste with Laure
- Auroville Planning and Development with Lalit
- Let’s talk about Water with Aditi
Reflections:
After meeting with YouthLink and Youth Center it became clear that having an Info Desk was a good first step, but creating learning opportunities and cultural activities adapted to the needs of the Auroville youth was crucial. Thus, efforts were put into creating the night classes. It was incredibly rewarding to see Auroville youth attend the sessions, and it was interesting to observe which sessions attracted them the most, giving us cues as to which direction to take for the next session.
The main challenge was one known to all people who have attempted activities for the youth: taking the risk of organising an event and having no one show up. This is a risk Valentine and the Youth Centre are both used to and believe worth taking, as they are very familiar with AV youth’s behaviours. The sessions have also been attended by guests, newcomers, Aurovilians and volunteers, and we have received very positive feedback as the timings and format of our sessions are convenient for people with busy schedules and inquisitive minds (the sessions always have space for questions and discussions). The sessions stopped due the the Coronavirus pandemic lockdown.
Other aspects of the Disha Info Desk were put on hold due to purely logistic issues: indeed, one of our goals was to meet with Omar to see what could be done in terms of supporting youth who would like to pursue higher studies out of Auroville, but the meeting never took place due to Valentine being out of station and Omar leaving upon her return.
Conclusion:
As soon as the lockdown ends, the night sessions at the Youth Center will resume. It is a bit difficult to make plans in these uncertain times, but Valentine remains available to the youth for any support that can be provided in the current context (mainly psychological).
