Datteln

Project:
Commemorating as a way towards peace! 
The Evangelical parish of Datteln is the origin of the movement of the Christian voluntary service, nowadays known as yap-cfd. The Parish of Datteln aims to remember a historical encounter, which took place after World War I during the French occupation of the Ruhr area. It happened on the Good Friday in 1923 in Lutherhaus (former parish center): the French lieutenant Etienne Bach and the German official Karl Wille found the strength for reconciliation. Following their example, representatives of many nations, which could see each other only as enemies for generations, found a good way to communicate. The root of the movement “Young activists for Peace“ lies in this international encounter more than 90 years ago. Lots of volunteers have learned that reconciliation is possible, even if contradictions seem to be unbridgeable
Work:
In the last workcamps with the help of the local artist Ms. Ulrike Speckmann, volunteers created colorful messages of peace to be shown in public places: They designed „benches of encounter“ and a big mural in the local kindergarden. Two years ago, volunteers designed a big picture for the entrance hall of the local church. It was done as reflection of a memorial in the same room, which still shows a very militaristic and nationalistic approach. 
This year volunteers are invited to work with old porcelain. With coloured pencil or paintbrush, volunteers can design old tableware, which can be used to build up an installation called “a table of peace and reconciliation”. As every time, this installation will be shown to public in a final exhibition. Again the artist is happy to help you to get in a creative process of painting. For information about the artist, please visit ulrike-speckmann.de.
In addition to this artistic activities it is foreseen to visit the local kindergarden, to play with the children and to do some gardening there.
Members of the parish will be happy if volunteers are ready to contact the different social groups of the town, especially the children and the older generation.
Study part:
How to tackle the subject peace artistically, local history as starting point of an international movement.
Leisure time:
Excursions to local places of interest, like the crossing of 4 channels and other sites.
Region:
The town Datteln has approx. 35 000 inhabitants and is situated on the edge of the mining region in the north of the Ruhr area. Four waterways for shipping traffic are crossing in Datteln. The river Lippe and the region Münster are nearby. Next bigger towns are Recklinghausen, Dortmund and the very nice and famous students’ town Münster.
Accommodation:
The participants will be accommodated in the modern community center of Datteln „Etienne-Bach-Haus“. Please bring sleeping bag. Camp beds and pillows will be provided. 
Remarks:
Volunteers with interest in creative arts are very welcome. After confirmation, you will have to sign a self-commitment statement in terms of legal protection for children and young persons. Please bring a sleeping bag.
Terminal:
Castrop-Rauxel, (near Dortmund train station)
Next airport:
Düsseldorf International (80 km).