Frankfurt | System Change Camp: "Wars fuel the climate crisis"

Dutschke's book is also a self-critical examination of the student movement. How much self-criticism can one expect at the System Change Camp?

Fuchs: This year, we also want to look into the history of movements and develop perspectives for the future from them. Learning from history means not only seeing what went well, but also recognizing where certain struggles failed. We don't want to glorify our movement's past, but also look at how we can do things better today. That's an important part of the camp. Blessing: When it comes to specifically addressing possible mistakes made by the climate justice movement , we as camp organizers don't want to interfere. Our goal is to create a space for exchange and get people talking to each other. The rest is up to the participants. This year, we paid even more attention to collectivizing things: setting up and dismantling are officially part of the program. The System Change Camp is not a festival you go to to consume.

Climate camps are an important part of the history of the modern climate justice movement since the 2010s—perhaps even its starting point. What role does the System Change Camp currently play in the movement?

Fuchs: I want to answer this question with my personal story: Two years ago, I attended the System Change Camp for the first time. I was new to the climate justice movement and moved by seeing so many people in one place, all trying to implement a blueprint for a different society on a small scale. Here, needs are met without expecting anything in return. And while my own political group might struggle to gather enough people to push forward the next project, during the camp you see: There are many of us. There are stable groups everywhere fighting for change. I returned home with this hopeful experience, full of energy to carry on with my daily life. Many people experience something similar: The System Change Camp gives hope and strength for the entire year – even if you're not constantly out and about in the thousands.

History is always a perspective of those who tell it. What role does the history of social movements that do not originate from the "Global North" play during the camp?

Fuchs: This time, there are two dedicated anti-imperialist program tents. Many movements are represented there that are not predominantly white, but in which BIPoC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, ed.) play important roles. For example, Debt for Climate, a group initiated by the Global South from an anti-colonial perspective. Among the groups operating in these tents is a Palestine solidarity network that emerged at last year's camp and addresses the Palestinian freedom struggle within the German climate justice movement. And "Resistance Connections Ukraine" focuses on the anti-authoritarian and decolonial struggles in Ukraine. There is also an anti-discrimination program, safe spaces, anti-racist educational opportunities, and workshops for white people. Unfortunately, BIPoC also experience racism within the climate movement. It is important for white activists to learn more about this in order to deal with it more sensitively.

Blessing: It must be clearly stated that we are a German, predominantly white and Christian group organizing the camp—not entirely, of course, but with a clear dominance, as exists in many climate justice groups in Germany. When selecting our programs, we pay particular attention to various forms of discrimination and, with our limited resources, try to establish contact with segments of civil society whose perspectives we and others have previously missed at the camps.

For example?

Blessing: The performance "Made in Germany – German Weapons, Global Traces of Violence" addresses how we deal with Germany's colonial legacy and the role German arms exports play worldwide. At the same time, it tells the story of the exiled Iranian artist Ali Fathi, who has long been an artistic activist against arms exports from Germany. People like him, who raise such issues from marginalized positions, need platforms – and we try to provide them. This includes external tents where groups can autonomously shape the program. This brings many perspectives to the camp that have not previously been represented.

So far, the climate movement has not really addressed the wars in this world.

Blessing: I'm all the more pleased that there are many contributions to antimilitarism this year, such as a panel discussion on militarism and the climate crisis by Ende Gelände. Wars cause suffering and fuel the climate crisis . Conversely, the effects of climate change can cause conflict. Several groups are currently emerging that combine these issues, such as "Public Transport Not Tanks" in Görlitz: Their goal is to prevent the conversion of a railcar factory into a tank factory.

Is the peace movement also represented at the camp, for example in the form of the German Peace Society – United War Resisters (DFG-VK)?

Blessing: I can't say off the top of my head whether traditional peace movement groups will be there. Instead, the Interventionist Left Frankfurt is responsible for some reports on war, armament, and the climate crisis. They will also cover the camp and the Rheinmetall Entwarmnen actions at the end of August in Cologne.

What other program items are you looking forward to?

Fuchs: It's difficult to pick one. I'm looking forward to learning more about perspectives from the Global South. For example, there will be a workshop where people will talk about the impact of the climate crisis in Syria. Also exciting are topics like care work, economic theory, and activist organization: How do I find a group? How do I prevent burnout? When so many people come together, there are many different interests – and a diverse program is the best thing you can offer.

Last year, the camp took place in Thuringia, focusing on anti-fascism and the shift to the right. You also tried to engage with local people. How many participants do you expect this time, and are you specifically targeting the local population?

Fuchs: We're expecting around 1,000 participants. There are formats that involve Frankfurt residents, such as camp tours or a demonstration that ends at the camp. We've been networking with local Frankfurt groups for months and are also mobilizing specifically in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Why was Frankfurt chosen as the venue?

Blessing: Of course, the central location was an important factor in choosing the location. But it also fits perfectly with our motto: Frankfurt is an important place for social movements – from the protests against the West Runway in the 1980s to the Occupy movement in the 2010s.