Is participation the key?

by Michael Seberich

Over the years the Network has focused on the core values of modern, pluralistic and democratic societies. The objective of tolerance, human rights and democracy education is to ensure a life of dignity for everyone. The question has always been how to achieve this. The fifths conference of the International Network Education for Democracy, Human Rights and Tolerance explored the promotion of political participation as one answer. It took a closer look at the work of its member organizations in this field. The conference also looked at the potential of the UN Decade of Human Rights Education, the Network publication Tolerance Matters - International Educational Approaches and future endeavors of the Network.

Before the Network and its guests got together for the conference, they met in working groups and also visited several NGOs in Berlin. The German Human Rights Institute had invited members of the Network to visit their office and learn more about the institute’s work. Other members of the Network visited the Deutsche Kinderhilfswerk e.V., a charity organization that focuses on children’s rights and the creation of more opportunities for children to participate in political decisions on the local level. A third group visited the so called RAA Berlin office. The RAA focuses its work on educational programs against right-wing extremism and racism. RAA staff introduced the network delegates to a project on school youth clubs, a CD-ROM on right-wing extremists symbols and other projects.

From the 14th-15th of May 2003 the Network came together for the actual conference on the premises of the Federal Foreign Office. Ms. Brita Wagener, Head of the Human Rights Department of the Federal Foreign Office, welcomed the Network members and pointed out the importance of human rights education to the German government. Prof. Marga Pröhl from the Bertelsmann Foundation, Head of Democracy and Civil Society, also addressed the Network and lined out the Bertelsmann Foundation’s new strategy in the field of participation.

In the opening address Elena Ippoliti from the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights documented the results of the UN Decade of Human Rights Education. In her analysis of the first half of the decade she pointed out best practice initiatives all over the world. She also made clear that a lot remains to be done in this field. In her conclusion she pointed out that future human rights education efforts must especially focus on a symbiosis of educational interventions and their integration in educational systems.

The results of the Network publication Tolerance Matters – International Educational Approaches (see page 1) were discussed by a panel that consisted of the editorial team of the publication, Elena Ippoliti and Professor Jagdish S. Gundara, Head of the International Center for Intercultural Studies at the University of London. In his opening statement, Professor Gundara pointed out the strengths and weaknesses of the case studies. The discussion focused on Professor Karl-Peter Fritzsche’s chapter on the effects of 09/11 on tolerance education. The panel members shared the perception that the terrorist attacks have resulted in enormous pressure in the field of tolerance education.

Wednesday afternoon the conference focused on ways how to enhance political participation. Angela Garabagiu from the Council of Europe introduced a comparative study on school participation in Europe. In their talk, Krzysztof Stanowski and Maciej Kozyra from the Education for Democracy Foundation in Poland highlighted the importance of school participation. Their manifold examples focused on small rural schools in Poland. They stressed that a culture of participation needs to be implemented through an integrated approach that includes students, teachers, school administration and the parents.

In a third presentation Pauline Sycam and Zenaida Quezada-Reyes, representing the B. Aquino Foundation, explained the philosophy of participation that is the base of the Philippine’s People Power movement. In a final presentation Ebrahim Fakir from the Center for Policy Studies in South Africa analyzed the basis for political participation in South Africa. You can find more information on all four presentations on the webside of the Network at www.tolerance-net.org .

Thursday morning, the participants concentrated on the future of the Network. It became very clear that the Network wants to pursue its projects on a summer school of human rights education and an evaluation workshop. Right now Network members look for new strategic partners for these projects since the Bertelsmann Foundation is step by step withdrawing its support for the Network in 2003.

The conference ended with a closing ceremony conducted by Cecilia Lionag from the Philippines. The conference participants got together to tie a symbolic band of unity. This band represents the different people and organizations of the Network. It is a symbol for the friendships and working co-operations that have been established in the Network and that will help the member NGOs and others to continue their unique educational and academic work in the future.

Index: Podium

Tolerance Matters- International Educational Approaches
by Seamus Dunn, Karl Peter Fritsche, Valerie Morgan

Is Participation the key?
by Michael Seberich

Taking the Network's workshops one step further
by Katrin Uhl

The Center for Applied Policy Research

The Nonviolent Peaceforce
by Nicholas Mele