Online Campus - Conflict dialogues

The conversation surrounding the war in Gaza has become polarized. As a result, there have been many problems on university campuses in the Netherlands. The reaction of many universities is one of risk management, making sure no problems arise. There is a lack of connection, dialogue, and contact. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam wants to provide space for dialogue to connect through contact. The university wants to do that on the online campus.

The online campus was previously developed by Total Design on behalf of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. This is a campus that offers various online services. Activities such as meeting, relaxing, reflecting, conversing, and more. However, the online campus also adds experience to the VU’s online websites and services.

The goal of the campus is not to replicate or replace the current real-life campus. Instead, it aims to offer the campus’s functions online, such as meeting, relaxing, reflecting, conversing, and more. Additionally, it seeks to add an immersive experience to the online websites and services of VU.

A new space has been created within the existing online campus — a designated event focused on conflict and crisis, designed to be viewed, felt, and explored from multiple perspectives. This event includes various rooms: some centered around lectures, documentaries, and science; others focused on experience, tranquility, and reflection; and interactive spaces where dialogue, connection, and action are central. These represent the core elements of the campus: science/education, experience, and dialogue.

To foster connection, dialogue, and contact, new spaces have been added to the online campus to facilitate these interactions.

Participants in dialogues gather in an online waiting room before attending an impactful scientific lecture.

The second space immerses participants in an experience through a combination of music, performance art, and visual art supporting the topic.

The dialogue room is the third space, where interactive discussions take place, allowing participants to share their perspectives in various ways.

After the dialogue, there is room for reflection and the option to invite others to join the conversation.

The online campus has become a valuable extension of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam’s physical campus, providing a dedicated space where engaged students can connect and participate.