DeColonize

DeColonize enables users to explore the impact of colonization and address common misconceptions about other cultures through an interactive web application. The platform encourages volunteerism and education, fostering a deeper understanding of global cultural dynamics.

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Initial Situation

Service Civil International (SCI) aims to tackle widespread misunderstandings about the impact of colonialism and misconceptions regarding other cultures in today’s global landscape. Across various demographics, a general lack of understanding perpetuates stereotypes and hinders genuine intercultural exchange. These issues are intricately linked with sub-themes of climate change, gender equality, globalization, and societal privileges, which also shape our global interactions. Recognizing the pressing need for an engaging educational platform, SCI has developed a web application that educates becoming volunteers of all ages about these interconnected topics and motivates them to volunteer.

Project Goal

The SCI project aims to develop an interactive web application that dispels cultural misunderstandings and promotes understanding and empathy among the Swiss population, especially young volunteers. The application aims to promote meaningful intercultural exchange, break down stereotypes and broaden perspectives through education. The platform serves as a hub for cultural competence, promotes integration and motivates volunteering. It offers a distinct advantage over traditional methods by providing users with direct communication tools and interactive applications, such as quizzes or self-reflection, to dispel misconceptions and actively engage with different cultures.

Read Instructions
                            
 Users can read through the instructions, on how to play and move on to the quizzes for
                            different topics.
Take Quiz
                            
 A user can answer the quiz questions. A clarification text for the question asked follows
                            after submitting your answer.
Give Feedback
                            
 After all questions have been answered and more has been learned about decolonisation,
                            feedback can be given.

Developed Solution and its benefit

The DeColonize web application offers a range of features and benefits to promote intercultural understanding and engagement. They aim to ensure:

Encourage user engagement and motivation
Enhance cultural awareness and understanding
Encourage self-reflection and critical thinking
Ensure efficient content management

Interactive Learning Tool through Quizzes

Users can engage in interactive quizzes to test their knowledge and understanding of various cultural topics. These quizzes offer an engaging way to reinforce learning and deepen cultural awareness

Explanation and Videos for More Information

Detailed explanations and curated videos are provided to offer additional context and insights into cultural concepts and practices. Users can access these resources to gain a deeper understanding of cultural diversity and nuances.

Self-Reflection and Feedback

The platform offers self-reflection prompts and feedback mechanisms to encourage users to critically evaluate their own cultural perspectives and biases. Through guided reflection exercises, users can actively challenge stereotypes and broaden their cultural understanding.

Administration Page for Client

The platform includes an intuitive admin page where clients can easily add, edit, and delete quiz objects. This administration process empowers clients to efficiently manage quiz content, ensuring that the platform remains dynamic and up-to-date with relevant cultural topics and questions. By providing clients with the ability to customize quiz content, the platform offers flexibility and scalability.

Testemonial
«As a peace organisation and facilitator of volunteering, it is important for us that volunteers reflect on their work and its impact. This web tool enables them to do just that, as they can engage with decolonisation and its sub-themes climate, gender, globalization and privileges simply and interactively. We hope to raise awareness and sensitise many people to this issue.»
Nathalia Zimmermann

Key terms

Programming languagesJavascript, Java, HTML, CSS
Frontend StackReact Framework
Backend StackSpring Boot
DatabaseMySQL
Deployment PlatformCyon, CloudLinux-Server

Client

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SCI Switzerland
Monbijoustrasse 32
3011 Bern
Website

Team

Team
(upper row, left to right, after the second person)
Shukanand Ananthavel, Marco Worni, Damjan Mlinar, Adrian Miller, Fabian Studer

Coach
Jeane Summermatter