-Menschenrechte schützen-Verantwortung übernehmen-

The goal of the project “Protecting Human Rights – Taking Responsibility” is to raise students’ awareness of European history by building on the existing national cultures of remembrance in Belgiu...

The goal of the project “Protecting Human Rights – Taking Responsibility” is to raise students’ awareness of European history by building on the existing national cultures of remembrance in Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, and Germany, and by conveying each country’s historical background. Students get to know and understand one another, fostering a shared European historical consciousness—especially among young people—and helping to break down prejudices. Mutual exchange and collaboration form the foundation for enabling young people to experience and understand European history not only from a regional or national perspective, but also in a broader European context. By engaging with specific historical sites across Europe, students explore how human rights have been upheld or violated—and, most importantly, the consequences of their disregard.

The project included six international student meetings focused on historical-political education, human rights, and diversity. Germany & Poland (March 2023): Workshops on human rights, forced labor, bombings; memorial in Świnoujście; eyewitness talk; visit to Peenemünde Museum. Warsaw (Oct. 2023): Museum visits (e.g. POLIN), lectures on civil rights and the uprising, eyewitness talk, group work. Sankt Vith (March 2024): Workshops on diversity, LGBTQ, extremism; eyewitness talks; visit to the Parliament of the German-speaking Community; role-play on Jewish smuggling. The Hague & Amsterdam (Oct. 2024): Visits to ICC, Peace Palace, Anne Frank House; workshops on peace and justice; city rallies. Germany & Poland (March 2025): Visits to Anklam, Peenemünde, Szczecin; 80th anniversary memorial in Świnoujście; eyewitness talks on human rights. Eupen & Brussels (May 2025): Workshops on migration, religion, diversity; visits to the Parliament of the DG, House of European History; city game on colonial history. Teacher meetings: Four transnational meetings (2 in person, 2 online) for planning, coordination, and reflection.