Due to the corona pandemic, adult education is almost non-existent. The adult education center has canceled its semester except for a few online offers. The Brucker Forum increasingly focuses on digital courses - with success.
Fürstenfeldbruck - 3000 registrations were submitted for the summer semester at the adult education center (VHS). "It could have been one of our most successful semesters," says managing director Sivlia Reinschmiedt. But then Corona came. All courses, workshops and lectures were canceled. "At the beginning of the year, we could not have imagined that things would go so badly," says Reinschmiedt. Only a few offers run online.
The Brucker Forum is increasingly focusing on webinars, videos and online courses. "I'm surprised at how much can happen," says Managing Director Benedikt Rossiwal. “We have the feeling that people accept it and want it. That gives us courage. "
Offers in family education are particularly popular. Baby café, open play areas, breastfeeding groups and Pekip were canceled and restarted via video conference. And the participants also switched to the Internet. “We cannot postpone enough events,” says Rossiwal. Only an online birth preparation course did not run. Due to the demand, the forum wants to launch other formats, such as "Papas and their babies".
Health courses are also running
Health courses also work via video conference. "People are happy that they can move," says Rossiwal. The theological seminar "Let's Talk About Belief" also continues on the web - and the seven mostly older participants have overcome their initial reservations and technical difficulties.
Due to its success, the forum is looking for additional speakers for the online program. "We want to bring the entire range into digital," says Rossiwal. The core topics of religion and vocational training. He is happy that the state-funded training of cultural interpreters continues via a digital learning platform. The second course for people with a migration background who act as mediators between cultures can thus be completed.
Fees will be refunded
At the same time, they are working on the new annual program, which starts in September. In order to be able to react to the Corona developments, it is not printed, but published on the website. A mixture of digital offers and face-to-face events is planned - if the pandemic allows it again.
The fees for canceled courses were reimbursed to the participants after the first corona-related cancellation wave and the speakers received their fees proportionately. But the forum also relies on a fundraising campaign: If you do not charge the fee, half will sponsor the speakers and half the adult education. "People get involved."
At the VHS, too, the course participants were advised of donations instead of reimbursement. A handful of promises were expected, Reinschmiedt reports. Now there are almost 150 - including appreciative words. "Citizens, some of whom have been happy to come into their groups with their lecturers for over 30 years, write touching and encouraging letters to the VHS team." One hopes to be able to open again in September. "Especially in the current crisis management, it is all the more important that the Bildungshaus can take up this pillar of togetherness in the city again."
