Peace Symposium in Schlaining Castle: Education for a peaceful future

Peace Symposium in Schlaining Castle: Education for a peaceful future

On October 1, 2023, the sixth peace education symposium "7 days for peace" took place at Schlaining Castle. Under the motto "Our future - our responsibility", over 200 participants, including educators and students, gathered. The event was organized by the Burgenland University of Education, the Burgenland Child and Youth Attorney, the Burgenland Education Directorate and the Austrian Peace Center (ACP). Martin Ganster moderated the opening in which Judith Kohlenberger emphasized the need for humanization in a radicalized society.

Kohlenberger pointed out how important it was to preserve the “face of the other” and to allow all people the same fundamental rights. Such views form an essential basis for strong democracy and should be practiced in everyday life. Environmental doctor Hans Peter Hutter expanded the discussion by pointing out the importance of ecological balance. He explained that both people's health and those of ecosystems are under pressure and that acute challenges such as species death and the climate crisis can no longer be ignored.

The connection of education and peace

The rector of the Burgenland University of Education, Sabine Weiß, emphasized how valuable the cooperation between the university and the peace center is. This cooperation helps to integrate peace into the education system as a central topic. Education director Alfred Lehner joined her and emphasized the need for such initiatives, especially in times when schools are increasingly having to act as social places. The educational directorate plans to implement further measures to promote peace in close cooperation with experts.

Another highlight of the symposium was the completion of the “Global Peace Education” university course, which was carried out in cooperation with the ACP. Course leader Klaus Novak and Ursula Gamauf-Eberhardt celebrated two graduates from Schlaining: Michaela Divosch and Nadine Wagner. Both will use their newly learned knowledge to bring positive impulses into their work in kindergarten.

The symposium offers numerous workshops and lectures on topics such as sustainability, social responsibility and anti -Semitism as part of the "7 days for peace 2024" until October 11th, including a special event: the reading "Give Peace A Chance" with Heinz Janisch for children on October 5. These events serve to raise awareness and education about the challenges against which our society is facing.

The President of ACP, Norbert Darabos, emphasized the relevance of peace pedagogy during the symposium and how important the cooperation with schools is in order to contribute to a non -violent society. The exchange between different institutions and the discussion of peace issues are of great importance to tackle current challenges on both local and global level.

Overall, the symposium shows in an impressive way that education and active examination of peace issues have to go hand in hand in order to cope with the challenges of today. However, the social changes run, the events at Schlaining Castle seem to be an important contribution to a more peaceful future. More information about the symposium and its content are at www.meinbezirk.at to find.