Network for Tolerance & Association "Gewaltfrei handeln" cooperate
For eight years now, the Network for Tolerance in Waldeck-Frankenberg has been sending a clear signal for tolerant and cosmopolitan coexistence in society. In future, it will be supported by a new partner, the association "Gewaltfrei handeln" from Diemelstadt-Wethen.
In concrete terms, this means that at the turn of the year, the coordination and expert office of the network was transferred to the sponsorship of the association, which has already been working for 30 years against violence, for civil courage and for conflict-free interaction with each other. The project itself remains under the administration of the Waldeck-Frankenberg district and is still based at the village and regional development department headed by Dr. Jürgen Römer.
"With the transfer of the coordination of the network's actions and measures, an even closer interlocking and cooperation with civil society actors in this area in Waldeck-Frankenberg will be possible," says District Administrator Jürgen van der Horst. "Especially in challenging times like these, it is important that we send a clear signal for democracy and tolerance together with all partners in the district."
Topics that have always moved the network are the increasing division of society and the rise of right-wing extremist tendencies. "This development has been intensified by the pandemic and its effects," says Ursula Müller, who coordinates the network together with Violetta Bat. Uncertainties, fears and ambiguities as well as contradictions in political statements and diffuse assessments had played into the hands of these developments. The network sees it as part of its mission to bring people of different opinions into conversation with each other - and prepares different actions on issues of social division. For the past two years, the network has therefore been running the StreitBar format, which regularly hosts (online) discussion rounds on various topics.
The Network for Tolerance has also set itself a number of other goals for this year: Interactive workshops on the topic of radicalisation and conspiracy theory, argumentation trainings, actions against racism and discrimination or measures against anti-Semitic currents are topics that the network wants to continue to promote in 2022 - together with the association "Gewaltfrei handeln".
This association has been working for a non-violent conflict culture for decades. Christine Garve-Liebig, the coordinator of the association, explains why the cooperation with the network is so important: "Our association "Gewaltfrei handeln" offers seminars and workshops nationwide. We are looking forward to the concrete networking in our district. We are also convinced that both actors will benefit greatly from the professional exchange."
The Network for Tolerance is promoted as a Partnership for Democracy within the framework of the federal programme "Live Democracy!" of the Federal Ministry of Family Affairs, as well as being financed by the state programme Hessen- active for democracy and against extremism 2020 to 2024. The project was launched in 2013 by a district council resolution. Further information is also available at www.toleranzwafkb.de or www.gewaltfreihandeln.org.
Overview of the 2022 events of the Network for Tolerance:
- 26 February: Online kick-off workshop for the theatre project "Personal Experiences with Everyday Racism", 10.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- 21 March: Online argumentation training "What to do if someone in your family or circle of acquaintances becomes radicalised?", 5.30 to 8 p.m.
- 30 March: Discussion bar "Climate change - What are we prepared to pay?", 6 to 7.30 p.m. (location to be announced)
- 27 April: Kick-off event for the social media project "Youth Editorial Team" with music and film screening, 6 to 7.30 p.m., Korbach youth centre
Note: All face-to-face events will take place in compliance with the applicable Corona rules. Further events and projects for 2022 are being planned and will be published soon.