Tutzing '99
Conference
of the International Network
Tutzing, November 15-19, 1999
This year the annual international conference of the "International
Network Education for Democracy, Human Rights and Tolerance took
place at the "Evangelische Akademie Tutzing" nearby Munich.
One of the highlights of the conference was a public discussion
on tolerance in the city hall of Munich which was organized
by the Bertelsmann Foundation in cooperation with the Center for
Applied Policy Research on the occasion of the "International Day
of Tolerance" declared by the UNESCO.
The working groups of the network, consisting of NGO-representatives
from Israel, United States of America, Northern Ireland, Poland,
Netherlands, Germany and the Philippines presented the results of
their common projects and developed future cooperation. The network
was very delighted to welcome the "Benigno S. Aquino Foundation"
from the Philippines as a new partner.
In addition to the presentation of "Case Studies on Language, Education
and Inequality in different Countries and Regions", the main projects
discussed at the conference were: a "Report on the State of Tolerance
around the World" developed on the basis of case studies and the
project "The Power of Language - The Language of Power". The latter
derived from the realization that language related issues are part
of the everyday teaching practice all network partners share. Language
is a key element in educational processes. Language can be disturbing,
irritating, alienating, discriminating, enriching, racist, sexist,
dominant etc. There are many facets of language and inequality as
well as of language and intolerance, which can lead to linguistic
asymmetries in the classroom. The working group decided to conceptualize
a teacher training and to compose a folder with educational material.
A second project "Tolerance Reports" is based on a collection of
case-studies composed by the network-organizations. The idea is
not only to learn about the complexities of local and regional conflicts
our partners are facing, their educational challenges and specific
obstacles, but also to go beyond the networks diversity by identifying
common problems, stepping stones and opportunities in the educational
efforts aiming at making our societies more peaceful and tolerant.
In addition the network is developing a self-assessment internet
tool for the participating NGOs and a database with relevant material
on democracy and human rights education.
The International Network "Education for Democracy, Human Rights
and Tolerance" looks back at a successful year of exchanging educational
experience and expertise. The outcome of this intensive intercultural,
professional and personal exchange is a trustful and fruitful cooperation
dedicated to the development of new methods and material addressing
issues of tolerance, democracy and human rights.
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Conference in Tutzing
Dinner speach by
Micha Brumlik
Day of Tolerance in Munich
Contributions by:
Christian Ude
Michel Friedman
Cem Özdemir
Thomas Henschel
Julian Nida-Rümelin
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