Under the title "START?klar!MACH!bar - Understanding democracy better with the city library", actor Ronald Schober gave a guest performance of the play "Out! - Gefangen im Netz" in four Salzgitter school classes. The play is about bullying and how things can get out of hand with fatal consequences and led to lively debates between the ninth graders and the actor.
Another component of the project week was the presentation of the book "Im Dschungel wird gewählt" (Voting in the Jungle), which was designed as a participatory reading. More than ten primary school classes read, did puzzles, discussed and voted on the story together with children from fourth grade.
The project was largely developed by Dr. Henrik Stehlik from the city library's events team. The German Children's Fund's Children's Report 2024 found that young people's confidence in the preservation of democracy in Germany is alarmingly low and that democracy education is therefore a topical issue.
"The invariably positive feedback has shown us that this project is important. The children and teachers have taken away a lot for their lessons and everyday life. The project team was impressed by the commitment in the classes," says Sylvia Fiedler, Head of the City Library. "This enthusiasm confirms that we have taken up and dealt with the right topics in a suitable form in line with our educational mission as a library."
"Libraries are places that impart knowledge, education and culture, and are therefore predestined to use their resources and opportunities as well as suitable methods to awaken and promote an understanding of democracy among children and young people," emphasizes Barbara Henning, deputy director of the city library.
The project week was sponsored by the Salzgitter Library Association.
Information:
The Salzgitter City Library's project for a better understanding of democracy is continuing and is set to receive further modules.
Interested elementary school can initially contact Barbara Henning, barbara.henningstadt.salzgitterde or call 05341 - 839 3612 for the module "Voting in the jungle".