Exploring Democratic Principles in the Voluntary Social Year: Experiencing, Comprehending, and Influencing Politics
In the heart of Oldenburg, Germany, the guesthouses Sandkrug played host to a thought-provoking event titled "Opinion, Majority, Co-determination - May the power be with you!". Organized by the AWO District Association Weser-Ems e.V., the multi-day workshop saw the participation of young volunteers, prominent guests, and key figures from the AWO Federation.
The event was designed to delve into central themes of democracy, including societal division and political decision-making processes. Parliamentary State Secretary Dennis Rohde, a participant and an AWO member, shared his insights, emphasizing the importance of calmness and perception in appreciating Germany. Michael Groß, President of the AWO, underscored the significance of political education in the voluntary social year (FSJ) as a crucial component for social cohesion.
Anne Brandt, head of the AWO advisory office for volunteer services, explained that political education in the seminars promotes critical thinking and helps volunteers understand societal connections and take responsibility. The workshops aim to empower young people, providing them with a deeper understanding of community needs and the role of democracy in addressing these needs.
The AWO District Association Weser-Ems is actively involved in over 80 facilities between the North Sea and the Osnabrücker Land, advocating for a democratic, just, and solidarity-based society. The DRK, one of the six peak associations of the Free Welfare Sector in Germany, was also present, emphasizing its role in shaping social justice and making the democratic social state more livable every day.
The FSJ and federal voluntary service (BFD) offer young people practical experience, personal and social skill development, responsible tasks, and civic education. These opportunities in social, pedagogical, or nursing professions contribute significantly to relief in social facilities, especially during skilled labor shortage. There are still free places in many regions of Lower Saxony for FSJ and BFD.
Interested individuals can find more information and apply directly at www.freiwilligendienste-awo.de. For more detailed information on the AWO District Association's approach to political education, direct communication with them would be necessary. The collaboration between Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences and an AWO District Association suggests potential for educational and collaborative initiatives.
Thore Wintermann from AWO Weser-Ems noted that democracy is not a given and needs participation. As such, the workshop emphasized the value of exchanging ideas and learning from each other for a democratic society. Participation and donations are welcome at www.awo-ol.de/Aktuelles-Presse/Spenden. The German Red Cross (DRK) actively shapes social justice and continues to be a driving force in fostering a more democratic, just, and solidarity-based society.
- The workshop "Opinion, Majority, Co-determination - May the power be with you!" in Oldenburg, Germany, underscored the significance of political education and self-development as a crucial component for social cohesion, with Michael Groß, President of the AWO, emphasizing this point.
- The event also highlighted the importance of education and understanding community needs, particularly during general news topics like a skilled labor shortage, with parliamentary State Secretary Dennis Rohde, an AWO member, stressing the need for calmness and perception when addressing such issues in the context of democracy.
