Educational trip to Stockholm: Insights about history and the present
As the Groß-Gerau district's press office reports, pupils from three schools in the region took part in an intensive school project that dealt with right-wing populism, anti-Semitism and the role of Sweden in the Second World War. The trip took the youngsters to Stockholm, where they explored historical relationships on site, analyzed languages and socio -political developments.
Insight into history and present
Schoolchildren of the Bertha-von-Suttner School Mörfelden-Walldorf, the Prälat-Diehl-Schule Groß-Gerau and the Ricarda-Huch-Schule Dreieich . In a final event in the Groß-Gerauer district office, nine of them presented their knowledge and experiences in front of around 40 guests.
The project was organized by the Margit Horváth Foundation in close consultation with the Bertha-von-Suttner School. The specialist office against right-wing extremism and racism as well as the district for integration of the Groß-Gerau district supported the project financially.
As early as the summer of 2024, preparations with lectures on right -wing extremism and the socio -political development of Sweden . From November 17th to 22nd, 2024 , the young people traveled to Stockholm to deal with historical and current aspects of anti -Semitism and the influence of right -wing populist parties in Sweden.
Visit to the Jewish Museum and discussions with Holocaust survivors
An important part of the trip was to visit the Jewish Museum in Stockholm , where the young people researched the history of the Jewish community of Sweden. It was particularly impressive for her that Sweden rejected Jewish refugees for a long time and was only ready to record 450 Jewish children after the Reichspogromnacht in 1938 - but without their parents.
exchange with children from Holocaust survivors were brought to Sweden to Sweden after the war after the were also impressive The young people emphasized that it was a completely new experience for them to take a look at German history from the perspective of another country .
A central question that resulted in: What does neutrality mean in times of war? Sweden tried not to be drawn into the Second World War, but made considerable concessions to Nazi Germany-for example through the troop march of German soldiers and ore deliveries .
Right -wing populism and social division in Sweden
In addition to the historical processing, the pupils also dealt with the current political situation in Sweden. The focus was on the development of the Swedish Democrats , a party that was founded in 1988 as an open racist movement and is now part of the government. While their language is moderate, their antimusable attitude noticeable in many political decisions.
The youngsters were particularly shocked by discriminatory experiences that some participants had with a headscarf or darker skin color in Stockholm. These experiences showed them how segregation and exclusion in society work. An impressive example was to visit a migrant district, where she spoke to a young Iranian about the social challenges and the housing policy of Sweden.
Despite these experiences, there were also positive impressions: a visit to the youth center "Fryshuset" , which is financed by sponsors, showed how creative educational work opens up prospects for young people.
Sustainable effect of the project
A central knowledge of the participants was that history lessons in schools often remain abstract . It was only through personal conversations with contemporary witnesses and those affected became tangible for them what anti -Semitism, right -wing extremism and racism mean in the past and present.
When asked how they want to deal with their new knowledge, the young people replied: they want to actively work for a society of diversity and humanity.
On May 15th at 7 p.m. you will present your results again at the Horváth Center in Frankfurt. The event is supported by the Lions Club Frankfurt-Goethestadt and is open to the public.
(Gross-Gerau district-Red/PSGG)
Nine young people reported their Sweden project in the district office. The group was accompanied by Christian Bredow (2nd VL), teacher of the Bertha von-Suttner School, and Cornelia Rühlig, CEO of the Margit-Horváth Foundation (right). A total of 17 students took part in the project. Most are about to high school. Photo: district administration
