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Program Planning

Programmgestaltung

The program naturally focuses first and foremost on the subject matter of the event, but aspects of sustainability can also be integrated in the planning of the program and associated activities. Particular challenges and opportunities lie here in allowing for gender equality and cultural diversity (e.g. in the selection of speakers) and in ensuring accessibility at lectures and talks.

The additional activities program, particularly at events held over multiple days, also plays an important role in offering the participants a pleasant and interesting experience before, in between and after presentations. In the process, health is an area that is often neglected: apart from the catering (see link), exercise plays an important role here. Lack of exercise, prolonged standing and sitting, are typical.

With active breaks, participants’ ability to concentrate can be improved and stress avoided. Also in the evenings you can make your event more attractive with offers involving physical activity, and at the same time you can allow the participants to experience some of the culture and history of Basel. Offer your visitors an interesting time alongside the event’s main program and take health and cultural aspects into account.

Measures

1. Aim for diversity in the selection of speakers

In selecting speakers for your event, try to consciously achieve a gender balance and consider whether you can include men and women from various cultural backgrounds.

Further Information

2. Offer presentations that are accessible for the visually or hearing impaired

If hearing impaired persons are expected to attend: book ahead for sign language interpreters or speech-to-text interpreters and reserve extra seats as required. If vision impaired persons are expected to attend: let the speakers know that text, graphics and tables in Power Point presentations need to be verbalized. Organize seating in the front row for the visually or hearing impaired if requested. 

Further Information

  • Teaching hearing Impaired [PDF/59 KB] (in German) - Information sheet of the Service Centre for Study without Barriers.
  • Teaching visually impaired [PDF/54 KB] (in German) - Information sheet of the Service Centre for Study without Barriers.
  • Sonos Info - Organization for hearing-impaired people (in German)
  • Pro Audito - Organization for hearing-impaired people (in German)

3. Integrate sustainability related topics in the event’s program

Consider whether topics related to sustainable development can also be integrated into the event’s program. For instance, you can broach aspects having to do with sustainability in lectures or discussion panels. Or offer environmental organizations, local project groups or student initiatives a space (e.g. in the foyer or along hallways) where they can present their projects and work. 

Further Information

Some groups and organizations that are active in sustainability:

  • SDUBS - Students for Sustainability at the University of Basel. The SDUBS is a group of students, which is committed to make the University of Basel more sustainable.
  • Foodwaste - The Association Food Waste is an independent information and dialogue platform on food losses in Switzerland.
  • Refiller - Refilling instead of discarding is the motto of the association refiller. They are committed to recycling and waste reduction issues in Switzerland.
  • Viva con Agua Schweiz - The initiative Viva con Agua works worldwide to provide clean drinking water and basic sanitation by collecting donations for water projects of Helvetas.

4. Organize active breaks

Stimulate participants‘ blood circulation between lectures or after lunch with short “active breaks” that provide gentle movement and gymnastic exercises. These can be conducted at the event location, for example in the lecture theater, and will require only a little time. On request, the service providers listed below can also assist you in carrying out “active breaks” at your event.

 

Further Information

  • Tips for exercise breaks [PDF (111 KB)] (in German) - ActionD flyer with practical tips for a pause in movement (Can also be designed or digitally distributed to participants)
  • 5-a-day Flyer [PDF (40 KB)] (in German) -  "Healthy and fit in conference" recommendations for breaks
  • Gsünder Basel - provides on request various movement classes for events. Contact: Tel. 061 551 01 20, info-at-gsuenderbasel.ch
  • Tai Chi - Kathrin Rutishauser offers Tai Chi for at events. Contact: Tel. 061-322 06 26, info-at-taichi-itcca.ch
  • Iyengar Yoga - Caroline County Maissen offers yoga on for events. Contact: Tel. 061 331 29 39, Email: ckreis-at-intergga.ch

5. Conduct a sustainability walk around the inner city of Basel

To make the topics of energy, environment and sustainability tangible for your visitors and to be experienced by them within the regional context, you and your group can participate in a sustainability walk. In doing so you can choose between the energy walk offered by the Department for Environment and Energy, or the city tour ‘konsumGLOBAL’: a stroll through the inner city of Base,l providing facts and background information relevant to sustainable consumption and globalization.

Further Information

  • Energy walk in Basel (in German) -  Discover on the Energy Tours of Basel-Stadt many opportunities in the area of ​​energy, environment and sustainability. If you are interested, please contact Nathalie Martin, nathalie.martin-at-bs.ch
  • City tour konsumGLOBAL (in German) -  konsumGLOBAL is a city tour on sustainable consumption, which encourages the audience to question their own consumption behavior critically.

6. Offer temporary child care

For participants who are dependent on short-term care for their young children, you can utilize (having given prior notice) the child care services of the university crèche. This service is available each morning. With sufficient advance notice (4-6 weeks ahead) it is also possible to provide care during the afternoon or for the full day.

Further Information

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