Meet With My Teacher

Posted on by Jeannie Schneider

Header_Jeannie

My name is Selina and I attend the local grammar school. I have conducted an interview with Jeannie. Jeannie is in her last year before graduation and took on the difficult and challenging task of setting up and teaching her very own class.

Most of us are already overwhelmed by the enormous amounts of exams, additional courses, presentations and reading we have to do in order to successfully master the high level of education we are thankfully receiving. But not Jeannie, who is not only an impeccable pupil but also extensively engages in Swiss politics and now decided to pass on her knowledge by teaching her self-established extra curricular class.

The idea behind it all is extraordinarily simple but unique: Jeannie’s subject is called “Think Tank” and focuses on current events worldwide, news issues, political elections and generically speaking Swiss politics. The aim of the course is to spark discussions between the students, improve our general knowledge and grasp the news of the world.

Surprisingly enough it’s the first of its kind at our school and in my opinion it was high time us students were provided with such a platform, for the demand was numerous.

As part of the student body in her class I acquired a broad spectrum of mainly political but also economical, cultural and social inputs.

The following interview provides further insight into “Think Tank”:

Selina: How and why did you come up with the idea to offer a subject at our school?

Jeannie: I’ve always been interested in politics, and then I was given the chance to join the “Youth Council for the Future” and after the “Get2Gather” weekend I spent in Frankfurt in 2013, I was so excited to know that there were young people all over Europe, also interested in politics, dedicated, and so eager to wanting to change something. That’s I came back to school and I was hit by reality; not a lot of people know what goes on in the world, especially young people at my school. But it’s probably not because they’re not interested, but because they don’t have access to newspapers and the necessary information. Then I asked Mr. Aegeter (a history teacher at the school) if there is was possibility of having some sort of discussions at our school and he was very enthusiastic about it and further encouraged me. He helped me to realize the project and it all worked out thanks to his approval. How I got the idea is simple; it makes me sad to see young people just concerned about going out and all the superficiality, they really don’t know how things work. Especially in Zurich we have this huge historical background of the Eighties where all the rebellions and riots of teenagers ruled the city and I asked myself what had changed since then. That is why I tried to offer something from my perspective as a teenager to peers.

Selina: I see. How did you prepare for the individual lessons?

Jeannie: First of all I had to come up with a topic, which had to be interesting and topical, and I really tried to link it with the visitors we had. Young representatives from all major Swiss political parties came to introduce their political viewpoints. With that I tried to present a political subject which is also on their respective political agenda to further talk about in class to evoke a debate and encourage discussions. For example in of the first lessons we dealt with the IS, a matter unfortunately very relevant, where we read a recently published article. I tried to always read the newspaper and if I saw something I could possibly bring in, I took it with me, I researched, I read books and I think in that aspect it was like a normal teacher prepares his/her lessons.

Selina: Exactly. So what did you expect from your students? And did they meet your expectations?

Jeannie: Naturally, I was really curious, because I didn’t know at all how they would react and I was so positively surprised. For instance, sometimes when I struggled, when I wasn’t that well prepared or things were really difficult to explain or understand, they patiently listened and were attentive. Or sometimes I thought for sure the topic we were talking about lacked interestingness and I looked at their faces and they were still looking at me, following me and that overall was such a good positive feedback. Therefore I had solely good experiences with my students, which has ever since also encouraged me, it isn’t really the teenager’s disinterest it is more a question of how to get to the information.

Selina: What was your goal to teach the students?

Jeannie: My goal was to give them some sort of an idea and also to show that politics and world conflicts aren’t all that complicated, it just appears to be complicated and complex because doctors and professionals are always talking in shop language, using conceited and pretentious words. They have so much knowledge but it’s really not that difficult. That was my goal; to show you don’t have to be highly intelligent to be interested.

Selina: And did you achieve this goal?

Jeannie smiles: I hope so, well that is maybe a question for you to answer

Selina thinks: (Jeannie certainly achieved her goal. To this day I remain in disbelieve and great respect for what she has taught us as a teacher, as well as a student, carrying out both roles with excellent bravery.)

Selina: So as you said you’ve had a very positive experience with your “Freifach”. Would you therefore recommend other students to follow your example?

Jeannie: Yes of course, it’s a great experience! It also comes with a lot of work, but it is very rewarding. You know, if you do it like I did, with lots of visitors, you don’t have to prepare as many lessons all on your own. It admittedly needs a certain amount of courage; to stand in front of other people is not what everybody is used to or likes to. But I was reassured because, as you know I’m also an activist at the young socialists and there it’s essential to be able to give speeches. Plus, I know that the system of students teaching students works very well. Nevertheless maybe if somebody isn’t courageous enough to do it all by himself it is helpful to do it in a collective, as a small group or with a slightly varied structure, to perhaps have a weakly read of the newspaper together or similar.

Selina: Would you propose to do introduce analog classes or projects all around Europe, perhaps even as mandatory classes?

Jeannie: Definitely, it is, in Switzerland especially important because we vote almost every month and that’s why it is essential that we are educated about complex issues in our country and the world generally. For example: often times you see a commercial advertising this or that and you think it’s straightforward, but the ambiguity lies much deeper. The causes, and also the solutions aren’t just easy. For that reason it’s useful to have a broad knowledge of what’s going on around you. I firmly believe it would be in every school’s interest to have student discussions and the like.

Selina: Do you want to go further with your teaching; would you like to continue it?

Jeannie: I don’t know. To be honest teacher is not the occupation I am aiming for, but I truly enjoyed the experience and maybe I’ll get back to it in the far away future. It is always something to keep in mind.

Selina: What are your plans for the future then?

Jeannie: I find that the world as of right now, is an extremely unfair and unjust place and maybe it’s naïve but right now, If I could choose, I would like to work with NGO’s and go into politics to try to change the world because I think it is just too easy to say “well I don’t care about all those things!” I want to stay in current affairs and politics for the time being.

Selina: Hence I take it you want to have a political impact, do you have a message for Europe’s politicians?

Jeannie: Referring back to the young people, the youth, it’s to provide them with information and educate them and to encourage them to get informed. Unfortunately it’s the characteristics of our generation to go through life narrow-minded and stuck in our “bubbles”. We are used to this luxury of having it all, we can’t imagine not to maintain the present wealth and opulence. That’s not how it can work, I mean if everything is fine, you can live in your bubble but one day when the façade starts to crumble, you really have to start to make up your mind and start to think for yourself. We are at a point right now where we are in a crisis and that’s why it’s so important to involve the youth in politics.

About the interviewer and interviewee:
Jeannie Coco Schneider, Spotlight Europe
Jeannie

Jeannie and Selina go to the local grammar school in Zurich. Jeannie (18) participated in the “My Europe” Workshop in Zurich in 2013. More

My Europe Is a Part of This World

Posted on by Verena Metze-Mangold
Traditional parade, Spotlight Europe
Open-mindedness and curiosity for other cultures: “We want our volunteers to understand, not to judge. We want them not only to understand structures, but people.” (Flickr: Marc Sardon/licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Some time ago I had the pleasure to read Alessia Tavarone’s post on her visit to the former concentration camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau. 70 years after its liberation, Alessia reflects on the patterns that made segregation, persecution and subsequently Auschwitz possible. Her reflections come with a warning: Do not trick yourself into thinking that this is something 70 years and a world away. Until today people are made victims because of their descent, their beliefs or their sexual identity. If we want to live in open and peaceful societies we have to create and recreate them—one day at a time. Or to put it in Alessia’s words: “Change the world. Promote respect, promote peace.“

“We need more than mere political and economic ties between societies in Europe”

It is no coincidence that UNESCO was established in the same year the camps and Europe were liberated. The United Nations and UNESCO themselves are reactions to the Second World War. Their major task is what Alessia just described: to promote respect and to promote peace. Therefore we need more than mere political and economic ties between societies in Europe and around the world. We also need a deeper understanding of each other and a more intense cooperation with each other in the fields of education, science and culture. This firm belief is expressed in the preamble to UNESCO’s constitution: “Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed.”

As German Commission for UNESCO we want and we have to add to this vast goal. And we understand ourselves as part of a global neighborhood—including Europe but not excluding the rest of the world. To me global thinking is a necessity in a globalized world. When UNESCO and its National Commissions promoted the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, they called for a broad change in educational policies worldwide. If we want e.g. slow climate change it is not enough to change the mindset of only a few people. Since everybody on this planet is affected by its impacts we have to rethink as humankind. If we want to consume responsibly and sustainably—to give others the chance to lead the lives and future they want for themselves—we have to understand global production chains and how interwoven they are: between Germany and Greece, but likewise between Europe and South East Asia.

“Learn what it really means to be a stranger”

But we also have to have less abstract knowledge about our global neighbors. Our Commission does not solely aim at strengthening the bonds to fellow National Commission for UNESCO, but between people from around the globe as well. With our youth voluntary service kulturweit we offer people aged 18 to 26 the chance to work in German cultural and educational institutions abroad: in countries of the Global South, in Eastern Europe and the CIS. During their service all our volunteers share the same experience. They learn what it really means to be a stranger and that structures in daily life may differ from the ones known to them. In this situation we want our volunteers to do one thing: trying to understand, not to judge. And we want them not only to understand structures, but people. Therefore our pedagogical program follows a transcultural approach. We try to convey a complex model of cultural identity: One where identity is to be understood as an individual mosaic of attitudes shaped by personal experience. This way we can learn to perceive our global neighbors for what they really are: individuals with diverse backgrounds rather than Germans, Greeks or Argentinians.

“Europe must no longer think of itself as an island.”

And in the very same way Europe must no longer think of itself as an island. It is more than that. The European states and their Union are connected to regions around the globe. What Europe needs is a more open approach towards itself and towards others. Promoting respect and peace starts with practicing it—notwithstanding economic and political interests. In the famous film “Cabaret” the famous song goes: “If you could see her with my eyes….”.

About the author:
Dr. Verena Metze-Mangold, Spotlight Europe
Dr. Verena Metze-Mangold (Original Picture by UNESCO)

Dr. Verena Metze-Mangold is President of the German Commission for UNESCO. Being a political scientist and journalist she is a Commission member since 1982. More

About the voluntary service kulturweit:
kulturweit is the international youth voluntary service of the German Commission for UNESCO. From April 1 to May 5, 2015 people aged 18 to 26 living in Germany can apply online for a voluntary service in educational and cultural institutions around the world. For further information go to www.kulturweit.de

About the Pursuit of Ideals

Posted on by Manfred Pohl
Prof. Dr. Manfred Pohl, Spotlight Europe
This week’s message by the “My Europe” initiator Prof. Dr. Manfred Pohl. (Remix by Spotlight Europe)

Young people have ideals. They are easily fascinated by ideas and/or promises that will shape their lives significantly and give them inspiration.

Today many of us might ask why young people in Europe choose to follow the ideals of the Islamic State movement – an organization which has been officially designated as terrorist by the UN. Why do young people leave their families and friends in order to support the jihad, the holy war?

Neutralized young jihad warrior 2008, Spotlight Europe
Young jihad warrior – following his ideals? (Flickr: Israel Defense Forces/licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0)

There is yet no concrete number of young people leaving their home to join the IS forces in Iraq and Syria. It is estimated that several thousand Europeans at the age of 15-25 years responded to the call of IS supporters. Also girls voluntarily undertake the journey in order to marry a jihad warrior or help to establish the terror regime. They are all victims of IS propaganda which is blinding them with wrong promises, stylized ideals and last but not least an image of a fulfilling life which is led by values.

The pursuit of ideals is also a pursuit of values that act as guiding lights of how to lead a satisfying life. Values provide for personal orientation and security with regard to the future. Especially young people seek to answer the question what they want to do with their lives. Fight for ideals – yes. But fight for false promises?

When these young people arrive for the jihad mission they are confronted with a cruel reality: Rape, murder and violence belong to the daily routine and one may wonder about the holiness and truthfulness of the mission. Are these still ideals or simply the banal pleasure on other people’s suffering?

Jihad propaganda poster of a female suicide bomber, Spotlight Europe
Jihad propaganda poster of a female suicide bomber. (Flickr: Israel Defense Forces/licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0)

The IS organization is trying to reach out to young people by using social media like Twitter or Facebook. There are pictures of glorious warriors and fierce speakers, women in arms fighting for their men and convictions. Of course you do not see a single shot warrior or raped woman who is enslaved to “produce” new jihad warriors.

There is nothing wrong in pursuing your ideas – when they are not related to terror, murder and violence. So many young people engage in peaceful initiatives where their idealism and creativity is highly welcomed. “My Europe” is one of these initiatives where young people are asked to help make the world a peaceful home to everyone. For this cause you do not need false promises, but true ideals.

About the author:

MP1Prof. Dr. Manfred Pohl is the Founder and Chairman of Frankfurter Zukunftsrat, the think tank that organises “My Europe”. more…

It’s Done!

Posted on by Bastien Adriaens
"Brandenburger Tor" in Berlin, Spotlight Europe
2030: The Treaty of Berlin establishes a European Confederation. (Flickr: Andreas Levers/licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0)

The Treaty of Berlin was signed yesterday by all the 31 countries which composed or which would have made the soon ex-European Union! The authorities from all these countries have thought, discussed and negotiated about this proposition for five years and it is now adopted! Let us remember the last ten years of this saga.

“With The European Confederation, the economic centre of gravity will move to Europe.”

It was 16th November 2020. It was raining. In front of 70 000 people, in the heart of Berlin, the re-elected President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, pronounced a speech that remained sharply engraved on our memory. No doubt everybody remembered these words when he closed his speech. “The old countries of the European Union become worthless facing new powers like China, India, yes, but now also facing Brazil, Mexico, South Africa and so on. It is obvious that the old continent’s hegemony has passed away. The European mosaic is going to die asphyxiated if nothing changes! The world is changing, we must change! The Union is the only solution to play again an important part on the scene of world affairs! Let us unite, my friends! Form The European Confederation! One currency, one language, one army, one president! It is a matter of life and death, we have no choice… […] With The European Confederation, the economic centre of gravity will move to Europe, with The European Confederation, we will frighten the world again, with The European Confederation we will find all our heyday! Then… Yes… To believe in this idea, it is to believe in the human. To believe that everybody wants the Union with their neighbours, to believe that everybody wants to survive, at last, it is to believe in the hope for a better life. I believe. Have the merit to believe.” A silence. And then, the crowd burst into loud applause. The thrills are still present ten years later… Juncker had just sowed the seeds of the future European Confederation.

“Negotiations to sign the Treaty began in 2026.”

This speech provoked various reactions in the whole Europe. Some people found that fantastic, and others found that pitiable… The idea has gradually gained ground and negotiations to sign the Treaty establishing the Confederation began in 2026. Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Island wishing to enter the European Union for a few years participated in the negotiations to enter immediately the Confederation although they did not belong to The Union. Now they will soon belong to the Confederation. United Kingdom was the strongest opponent of this project. They didn’t want at all to lose a bit of their autonomy and after two referenda they decided not to ratify the Treaty, not to participate at the Confederation and so to leave the European Union when it becomes the European Confederation.

“The biggest change is the common language.”

But, in concrete terms, what will change with this Treaty? First of all, in place of one president for the Commission, one for the European Council we will have one executive power like in each country. Secondly the armies from all the countries will form the European army which would have the means to deter any ambitions. The crisis in Ukraine, when this country lost about a quarter of his territory will never reoccur. Finally, the biggest change is the common language. We have at present more than twenty official different languages in the European Union and translation is the first job in the European Union but it will change. A single language is going to be instituted. Esperanto will become the only language of the European Confederation. Against the increasing power of Chinese and to counteract the loss of English, the leaders decided to institute one language, that favours nobody and is easy to learn. Esperanto will be taught in the short term at school as a second or third language. Thanks to the single language the European Confederation will have the possibility to raise funds to reduce poverty, to improve teaching and so on.

“The European Union is living its last years.”

On the one hand, within the Confederation, the autonomy from the different states stays large, they conserve their king, president and government for example, and on the other hand the Union is strengthened and will be able to fight against the new powers of this changing world. Now that the Treaty is signed, the European Union is living its last years… Juncker died in 2027 when a disturbed Europhobic Bulgarian killed him in front of his house but his dream is still alive and will come true. All over The European Union 16th November is already staying as Saint-Juncker day…

20th May 2030, Bastien Adriaens

About the author:
Bastien Adriaens, Spotlight Europe
Bastien – Author at Spotlight Europe

Bastien (17) participated at the “My Europe” workshop in Brussels, Belgium, in February 2015 and impressed the jury with his future vision for Europe 2030.

There Is No Glory in Suicide

Posted on by Manfred Pohl
Prof. Dr. Manfred Pohl, Spotlight Europe
Prof. Dr. Manfred Pohl (Remix by Spotlight Europe)

The terrible crash of the Germanwings airplane on Tuesday, 24th March 2015, is particularly shocking as it was caused – as far as the official investigation has proclaimed – deliberately by a single person who had decided to end his life. He did it full knowing that the lives of all other 149 passengers on board would end with his too.

This tragic suicide is not the first in history. Suicide happens in many variations and sadly enough one cannot for sure exclude that it would happen again – despite all intensified controls and despite all taken actions after the crash.

There is no glory in suicide. There is only sadness and emptiness.

Then why, one has to ask, do young people in Europe take the decision to join terroristic movements like the Islamic State (IS) in order to blow themselves and kill others? Is this suicide so very different from the one in March 2015? Ironically the world that is so much shaken by tragic wars and crisis is a globalized world, a world where the borders of communication increasingly fade away. The news of the deliberate airplane crash went around the world and sent waves of shocks, left people speechless. Empathy is with the victims.

In our modern information society where everyone can access every bit of information, the message of suicide should be clear – especially for young people: Suicide is not the next adventurous kick of your life but a sad way to vanish from this earth without leaving footprints.

For our society it is important though to try to understand and reintegrate these young people and to take their worries into account. Nowadays it is important to foster democracy and to take religious symbols and rituals seriously, but not to the extend that they justify exclusion, terror and murder.

In their basic idea democracy and religion are the same: They are peaceful and people want peace.

About the author:

MP1Prof. Dr. Manfred Pohl is the Founder and Chairman of Frankfurter Zukunftsrat, the think tank that organises “My Europe”. more…

The European Unity

Posted on by Robin Blomgren
Unity of people, Spotlight Europe
European Unity means a unity of people. (Flickr: fady habib/licensed under CC BY 2.0)

There is a classic saying that roughly goes “we study history in order to predict what may lie ahead of us”. Bearing that in mind we can look back to grant the opportunity of seeing forward with a broader perspective. Allow me to more precisely justify what I am aiming at; the well-known struggle between the Eastern and Western world – now evolved?

To this day the conflict partly exists between Middle Eastern countries and the US. Fairly recently Russia too joined this game of power measurements. Controversial Putin managed to upset many of the Western world’s great leaders by initiating the “conquest” of Crimea – so as to show that he was in the running for the royal throne of Europe without further consent. Thus both of these examples are present, history reveals that this plot reaches far back in time, for instance the warfare Western Rome and the Eastern/Byzantine Empire held against one another.

Recent articles and theories suggest that our future concern in struggle might not exist within the West versus the East but rather between the poor developing countries localized on the Southern hemisphere and the rich industrial nations of the North. Material and financial inequality are enough to be considered injustice – is it fair that North America, Western Europe and Japan account for less than 18 percent of the world population but represent more than 60 percent of world income? Hardly.

“I fear for an outbreak”

My worrying conclusion is that should we not deal with this equality concern now, I fear we’re facing something ravingly more serious henceforth – with great danger towards not only the EU but our exclusively beloved earth. I fear for an outbreak affecting the majority of nations we so well have come to know. But the outbreak is yet to arrive and plenty of time remains for us to change our future from, what can turn into, dystopia to utopia. However, I believe a minor push by the EU is enough to alter the direction of where this eventual future crisis is heading.

“The EU can be an agent of change in the world, a trend-setter, and not just a passive witness.” – The Members of the Reflection Group

We must not take shelter behind the immense walls built by the right-wing extremists and isolate ourselves from the world outside. Time has come to open our arms, embrace our neighbors regardless of their ethnicity, condition or local ties. The human species is a herd animal by instinct. Therefore we must act by those standards and show the true meaning of a loving civilization. It is up to us all EU citizens to unite in pride, to discover solidarity within other nations for the challenges ahead are too vast for us to handle by ourselves. Prior to that though, we must furthermore secure internal cohesion fora solid growth within the Union. Thenceforth our ability of influencing developments beyond our borders will enhance.

“Optimism is key to success”

Realistically a prediction of the future is beyond the bounds of possibility. However, I choose to be optimistic. In fact, my experience is that optimism is key to success, regardless the task. Nevertheless, on account we unify, as in one European Unity, I see an increase regarding the world economy influence, but as well a firmer establishment in the aspects of military, defense and the preservation of peace. Moreover, I believe as in one single unity our ambition to unravel the economic crisis in areas such as Spain and Greece would be more eagerly escalated in comparison to how the situation is presently. In turn that equals less spending and financing in other areas. The currently stronger industrial countries would have to sacrifice; adapt their budgets for a future greater cause in form of economical contribution – leastwise the total distribution would look different.

“It is up to us all EU citizens to unite in pride.”

In addition to that I believe most of us primarily would feel rather confused due to the enormous transition. Without hesitation I can admit that it somewhat frightens me – to suddenly partake in something as colossal as a population of over 500 million inhabitants! The mechanics of democracy across the nation would become complicated. Endless diversity in traditions and culture. What would the educational system develop into? Countless questions will arise, a confusion of a former continent. I doubt we are ready for that by the year of 2030. However I wish our journey towards the Unity has come to a beginning. Certainly, we speak different languages and follow different cultures and traditions –however, our similarities outweigh the differences. We share the same history and will be part of the same future – the European Unity.

About the author:
Robin Blomgren, Spotlight Europe
Robin – Author at Spotlight Europe

Robin participated in the “My Europe” workshop in Stockholm, Sweden in November 2014.