Online Meeting in the Gather Town Conference
On Monday, June 17, 2024, the Children’s University of Vienna held an online event focused on accessible methods and tools for discussing complex topics like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Using the Gather Town conference (already a highlight, as it is an innovative online conference tool), participants engaged in a digital environment where they could explore resources and share ideas with experts from both formal and non-formal education.
After the welcome and introduction by Cyril Dworsky from the Children’s Office of the University of Vienna, Gabriele Slezak from OEFSE gave a presentation on the importance of youth participation for sustainable development.
Afterward, the participants explored various virtual areas. They were impressed by how the social simulation Up to You! manages to convey complex content in a playful way and how much can be done in the roles of the ministries. The discussion on gamification as a tool for self-determined, digital education, presented by Mirjam Duvivie from the Serious Game Changers at the University of Vienna, was also very stimulating. Other interesting resources and recommendations for the use of games in educational settings were presented by Zsuzsi Vastag and Petra Francesca Weixelbraun.
At the end of the event, the participants met again to share their individual experiences and then had the opportunity to continue exchanging ideas in an open digital networking lounge.
