Bautzen 2000

Conference of the International Network on Education for Democracy, Human Rights and Tolerance

November 13th -17th, 2000
Bischof-Benno-Haus, Bautzen

The first conference day was then devoted to small working group sessions conducted by the sub-groups in order to prepare the conference-presentations for the respective working group results. Within the so-called "Hour of news" different network members reported on the current political situation in their country. For Israel Saber Rabi and Shaiya Rothberg gave their perspective on the Israeli-Arab conflict. For the Philippines Zenaida Reyes and Cecilia Lioanag gave a presentation about the election situation and for the Ukraine Aider Seyitosmanov talked about the minority of the Crimean Tartars.

On the second conference day the members of the International Network visited the former State Security Prison Bautzen II where they discussed with former inmates. In addition a dinner speech delivered by the famous German writer Erich Loest enriched the group discussion.

The official conference was opened by Prof. Dr. Werner Weidenfeld. Viola Georgi gave an overview of the developments in the network. This presentation was followed by a presentation of the new members NOVAMERICA from Brazil and PARTICIPA in Chile. The network welcomed the new partners and discussed the impulses and issues brought forward by the new partners.

The afternoon was devoted to the presentations and discussions of the working groups:

• Evaluation

• Educational Concepts

• Language and Democracy

The working group "Evaluation" has developed a survey on evaluation practices in the field of education to democracy, human rights and tolerance. The questionnaire was sent to NGO´s all over the world. One of the main results was that most NGO´s do evaluate and they wish to get further information on this topic.

The members of the working group "Educational Concepts" introduced their approach of examining educational dilemmas within the field of Tolerance Education with a case study and a role play.

On Friday the working groups Tolerance Reports and Database gave a presentation on their results:
a) The working group "Tolerance Reports" introduced its theoretical design of the case study collection, outlining similarities and differences of the respective country approaches.
b) The working group "Data Base" presented the design of the Network data base.
The conference ended with a discussion on future prospects and developments.

Article in our Newsletter PODIUM about this conference

1999: Tutzing

2000: Bautzen

2001: Hamburg