In an interview with the Evangelical Press Service (epd), Udo Hahn, Director of the Evangelical Academy Tutzing, speaks about educational work in Corona mode, new event formats and the economic consequences of the pandemic for the Academy.
Tutzing (epd). The Evangelical Academy Tutzing, one of the most renowned church educational institutions in Germany, sees itself on the right path in terms of digitization due to the corona. Because of the shutdown in spring, which paralyzed conference operations, online events had started, said Academy Director Udo Hahn on Thursday in an interview with the Evangelical Press Service (epd). The idea for this had existed for a long time, “but we lacked the technical possibilities and the know-how”.
There are now formats for the in-house YouTube channel or a monthly podcast. “Overall, we have significantly increased our reach through our online offer,” emphasized Hahn. To what extent people are willing to pay money for online educational formats, “that’s what we’re trying to find out”. This is especially true with regard to future hybrid events – with an audience in the academy and participants who are there online. Because: “Hybrid events are an option for us.”
The corona pandemic also showed how valuable personal encounters are, Hahn said. This is especially true in the field of education. “People learn and broaden their horizons in personal exchange: during event breaks, while eating, while walking in the castle park, in the evening conversations in our salons.” This informal learning is not possible in the digital encounter.
Hahn is not afraid that the Evangelical Academy Tutzing will not survive the corona pandemic. The Corona year 2020 is of course difficult economically. But: “Nothing works in the church without education.” This also emerges from a resolution of the EKD Synod, which certifies that church educational work is of central importance. In addition, the demand for education is growing. “People want to know and understand. Corona in particular shows how important it is to be able to form your own judgment, ”said Hahn.
You can read the full interview here:
epd: Mr. Hahn, the corona pandemic and the associated restrictions have shaken up operations at the Evangelical Academy Tutzing. The year is drawing to a close, can you already draw a conclusion?
Hahn: First the good news: The demand for education is growing. People want to know and understand. Corona in particular shows how important it is to be able to form your own judgment. 2020 will of course be a difficult year economically. From mid-March to mid-June we had to close completely due to the shutdown. The ban on events was only lifted in mid-June. After that, face-to-face events could only be held on a much smaller scale due to the applicable hygiene and distance rules. Now, with the “lockdown light” that has been in effect since November, we have no state-ordered company closure, but the legal framework conditions practically do not allow any conference work until the beginning of January.
Is it possible to quantify the economic damage financially?
No. The 2020 annual accounts will not be available until February. Then we will also know whether our applications have been successful, for example from the rescue fund of the Free State of Bavaria to support adult education. In the spring we had to send parts of the workforce – including the reception, kitchen, housekeeping – to short-time work. We are grateful that for the first time church institutions can also use this state instrument to secure employment. Now we had to apply for short-time work again – retroactively to October 1st.
In summer there was a short time to catch your breath when the number of infections was very low. For the academy too?
In the summer months we have been offering “Holidays in the Castle” for years. That went very well again this time. We were fully booked, like every year. “Holidays in the castle” was of course a ray of hope. We have also expanded the offer a little due to the corona – and opened our house to holiday guests a few weeks earlier and then kept it open longer than usual until the beginning of September. During this time we were able to try out our hygiene concept, which also applies to our conference operations. Like theaters, museums, cinemas, restaurants and hotels, we have created framework conditions in which employees and guests are appropriately protected. And like many others, we used 2020 to expand our educational offer.
What have you developed new?
We started online events in the spring. The idea for this had been around for a long time, but we lacked the technical possibilities and the know-how. We have made noticeable progress here. With our “RotundeTalk” – discussions with public figures – we have created a format especially for our YouTube channel. Most of our online events are also available there – with some considerable access numbers. We also now have a monthly podcast called “Seefunken”. Overall, we have significantly increased our reach through our online offering.
Are people willing to pay for online meetings too?
Yes. We are currently gaining experiences that are encouraging. If the offer meets the need and expectation, then people are probably willing to pay for online educational formats. We are trying to find out how far this willingness goes. This is especially true when it comes to hybrid events – with an audience in the academy and participants who are there online.
The Evangelical Academy Tutzing lives from its castle, the direct location on Lake Starnberg and the view of the Alps. Don’t online offers also have their limits?
It is hardly possible for online guests to create the Tutzing flair virtually. But that is not the reason for participating either. People are interested in our offers not only because of the beautiful location, but because of the content. The fact that we can work in such a privileged place rounds off the educational experience. People like to stay here for a whole weekend.
That means, back to face-to-face events?
I don’t see this as an alternative or even as a conflict. In the future, we will expand our range of offers to include purely online events. They offer the possibility – for speakers as well as for guests – to come together regardless of location. Hybrid events are an option for us.
Regardless of all the digital possibilities, the euphoria and fatigue that have already been recorded – the corona pandemic has shown how valuable personal encounters are. This is especially true in the field of education. People also learn and broaden their horizons in personal exchange: during event breaks, while eating, taking a walk in the castle park, in the evening conversations in our salons. This informal learning is not possible in the digital encounter.
All in all, the corona pandemic also has its good side – new formats have been developed, hybrid events will probably become standard in the future. And yet – the loss of income is likely to be enormous. Are you afraid that the Evangelische Akademie Tutzing will not survive the corona pandemic?
No. The church governing bodies handle their responsibilities very carefully. The Bavarian Evangelical State Synod has approved funds to ensure that church activities such as education can continue. And anyway: education is becoming more and more important for the church. In a resolution of the Synod of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), church educational work is more clearly attested than ever before to be of central importance. In plain language this means: nothing works in the church without education. For us, this is our mission and our incentive.
Interview conducted by Christiane Ried.
With the kind permission of the Evangelical Press Service (00/4284 / 10.12.2020 / 01/4283 / 10.12.2020)
Picture: Udo Hahn (Photo: Haist / eat archive)
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