Key Activity Political Education
One of the key objectives of the pedagogic work of Trebnitz Castle is the inter-generational exchange of experience and knowledge extending across national and cultural borders. It promotes the emancipatory attitudes of young people and adults as well as responsible action both individually and collectively towards our perception of fundamental rights. Events with historical-political themes are one of the key areas in this.
The spectrum of the educational work spans discussion forums and workshops, topical ecological, economical and political themes and oral history projects and workshops that focus on democracy and the future. Particular value is placed on how the participants can take a practical approach to everyday life. International youth exchanges take place regularly focusing on the Friedenswald (Woods of Peace). Other recurring subject matters are life in the German-Polish Oderland region, the future in Europe and topics relating to intercultural dialogue.
Sample Projects
“Borderless Involvement“
The German-Polish youth agora is a model that started in 2010, which provides a creative and innovative form of political participation for young people from the border area. Working in various bi-national groups, the youth involved reflect on perspectives relating to young people and suggest possible solutions for specific cross-border problems which they then present to experts, politicians and other prominent members and decision-makers of the region. Some examples of what the youth agora has achieved are a small music festival in Müncheberg, the German-Polish Andreasfest (festival) in Trebnitz and the Oder Youth Council.
“We are creating a village community“
The project is a democracy workshop, in which the participants – drawing lots complete with unequal incomes – inhabit a fictitious abandoned village as a group. Using elements of play theory, the process of establishing the village aims to investigate democracy in its elemental form as a means of social cohesion, in which the young people decide for themselves how the village ought to be ruled, how the resources provided should be used and how the education and health system should be built and the wealth distributed.
Friedenswald (Woods of Peace)
Pyrzany Kozaki