Time Travels and Bridging Ages in South Africa, 2013-2016 Guideline and Framework

Vision Statements

Use Time Travel as an educational tool to reflect on important and sensitive issues in society, using heritage and local sites for learning, social cohesion and community building
To give a voice to communities in order to take ownership of the heritage, offering a platform to choose and uncover local heritage sites to tell their stories, using Time Travels. Create Time Travel committees within the communities.
To improve the quality of education in SA by employing the Time Travel method as an educational method, part of curriculum in schools. The goal is that each learner has taken part in at least one Time Travel during their school years.
To elevate the role of museums, working together with schools and communities, in championing the use of the TT method in South Africa.
To raise awareness on some of the social issues and make use of Time Travels as a tool to address them, not least the elderly people and involving their life experiences, but also young persons.
Use Time Travels in understanding the environment, landscape education, in order to reach sustainable resources.
Use Time Travels for community development and tourism
To ensure that Bridging Ages is an organization on all levels that is vibrant with engaged and skilled leaders and good communication. Time Travels are sustainable in several provinces and started in new provinces.

Actions

Approach key stakeholders on all levels, national, provincial and local bodies – education, cultural, social development, environment and others and implement it into national, provincial and local plans and policies.
Trainings and capacity building for Time Travel committees in all provinces; identified engaged and passionate Time Travel leaders and assistants (35-40 training days 2014)
Training of teachers and community members as part of the preparations of each Time Travel (35-40 training days 2014)
Conduct Time Travels on a regular basis (70-80 Time Travels 2014, reaching 4000-5000 persons)
Institutionalize the Time Travel method, when possible, and make more institutions buy into it
Implement Time Travels in museums in active provinces. Example: In KZN all 47 museums, affiliated to KZN, will conduct Time Travels as a way of transforming museums, working together with the communities.
Research and record (untold) stories from communities in the country and make them accessible
University course in Historic Environment Education and Time Travels and modules in other courses, i.e. teacher education.
The basic principles of TT are well-known and implemented and make partnerships with likeminded organizations and institutions.
Highlight and identify future historical anniversaries, i.e. the 20 years celebration of democracy in 2014
National conference every second year
Develop fundraising strategies
Good international relations within Bridging Ages International

Adopted by the delegates at the Bridging Ages South Africa national conference in Port Shepstone, 17 October 2013