Promoting respectful coexistence: On Friday 10 July, the ‘Day of Democracy and Tolerance’ for scholarship holders of the NRWTalente – OWL Region support initiative took place at Paderborn University. The aim of the event was to bring pupils together across year groups and schools and to create a day for exchange and collaborative learning. Under the motto ‘The world in your hands – living democracy and showing tolerance’, the participants explored democratic values and social responsibility. To kick things off, André Kuper, President of the North Rhine-Westphalia State Parliament, and ‘Herr Reff’, a teacher, author and social media creator from Berlin, gave talks on the topics of democracy, respect and tolerance.
Living democracy and showing tolerance
“Our democracy needs young people who get involved. Those who learn to tolerate differing opinions and discuss them openly lay the foundations for respectful coexistence. Democracy and Tolerance Day demonstrates that, through encounters and discussions, pupils experience democratic values in a very practical way and take on responsibility for our society,” said State Parliament President Kuper.
Prof. Dr Beate Flath, Vice-President for Teaching, Studies and Quality Management at Paderborn University, noted: “Universities are vibrant places where academia and social engagement converge. Those who learn early on to take a stand in everyday life foster respectful coexistence. We want to support pupils in this and equip them with the necessary tools.”
The pupils were offered a special opportunity to engage in conversation with representatives from politics and society in the East Westphalia-Lippe (OWL) region, thereby forging valuable contacts. In the afternoon, the scholarship holders actively explored the event’s theme in workshops, addressing questions such as what democracy means to them. ‘Mr Reff’ spoke to the participants about respect, solidarity, bullying and the importance of listening. The focus was on how to foster respectful and non-violent coexistence in everyday school life, both in the classroom and in the digital space. Together, the young people discussed their responsibilities in their interactions with one another and how they can contribute to a positive school culture through their words and behaviour. In doing so, they developed their own messages promoting greater respect, tolerance and moral courage at school and online.
“Democracy begins in everyday life – where people listen to one another, respect different opinions and take responsibility for one another. With the Scholarship Holders’ Day, we create a space where our scholarship holders experience exactly that: They learn from one another, forge new connections and take away ideas that they can bring back to their schools and personal lives,” says Madlin Cengiz, programme manager for the NRWTalente OWL region.
About NRWTalente – OWL Region
NRWTalente – OWL Region is a scholarship programme for pupils from Year 8 onwards. The programme is funded by the Ministry of Schools and Education of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and run by Paderborn University in collaboration with the University of Bielefeld, Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences and the OWL University of Applied Sciences. The aim is to open up valuable prospects for the professional and academic futures of high-achieving young people, regardless of their background or social circumstances.
This year, NRWTalente – OWL Region is celebrating its fifth anniversary. In total, more than 200 pupils have already been supported and given individual guidance on their educational journey. In addition to personalised advice on career and study choices, scholarship holders gain access to a diverse educational programme featuring workshops, lectures, excursions and meetings with figures from the worlds of science, business, politics and culture. Furthermore, the programme provides support where needed in the form of in-kind benefits such as learning materials, digital devices or transport options. Highlights to date include educational trips to Hamburg and Munich, a student exchange in Chile, and numerous events focused on personal and professional development.
This text was translated automatically.
