-Menschenrechte schützen-Verantwortung übernehmen-

<< Background >>The project “Protecting Human Rights – Taking Responsibility” focuses on democratic education and the understanding and application of human rights in interactions with people from different European countries. It raises awareness among students from Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany about the value of human rights in today’s society. Especially in times when nationalism is growing in many parts of Europe, shared European values are becoming increasingly important.Through collaborative work at historical learning sites – such as museums, memorials, and regions marked by history – the project helps break down prejudices, fosters empathy and understanding, and promotes the European spirit. Core values like tolerance, dialogue, and peaceful coexistence are actively experienced and strengthened.<< Objectives >>The goal of the project “Protecting Human Rights – Taking Responsibility” is to raise students’ awareness of European history by building on the existing national cultures of remembrance in Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, and Germany, and by conveying each country’s historical background. Students get to know and understand one another, fostering a shared European historical consciousness—especially among young people—and helping to break down prejudices.Mutual exchange and collaboration form the foundation for enabling young people to experience and understand European history not only from a regional or national perspective, but also in a broader European context.By engaging with specific historical sites across Europe, students explore how human rights have been upheld or violated—and, most importantly, the consequences of their disregard.<< Implementation >>The project included six international student meetings focused on historical-political education, human rights, and diversity.Germany & Poland (March 2023): Workshops on human rights, forced labor, bombings; memorial in Świnoujście; eyewitness talk; visit to Peenemünde Museum.Warsaw (Oct. 2023): Museum visits (e.g. POLIN), lectures on civil rights and the uprising, eyewitness talk, group work.Sankt Vith (March 2024): Workshops on diversity, LGBTQ, extremism; eyewitness talks; visit to the Parliament of the German-speaking Community; role-play on Jewish smuggling.The Hague & Amsterdam (Oct. 2024): Visits to ICC, Peace Palace, Anne Frank House; workshops on peace and justice; city rallies.Germany & Poland (March 2025): Visits to Anklam, Peenemünde, Szczecin; 80th anniversary memorial in Świnoujście; eyewitness talks on human rights.Eupen & Brussels (May 2025): Workshops on migration, religion, diversity; visits to the Parliament of the DG, House of European History; city game on colonial history.Teacher meetings: Four transnational meetings (2 in person, 2 online) for planning, coordination, and reflection.<< Results >>Through a variety of program activities, participants gained deep, hands-on experiences related to human rights. They learned when and how human rights have been violated and what impact this had on individual lives and societies.Concrete outputs included: biographical research (e.g. “Faces of Golm”), eyewitness talks, workshops and reflections on personal experiences, contributions to memorial events, experiential learning (e.g. Jewish smuggling in Eastern Belgium), city rallies, museum visits, and engagement with topics such as minority rights, LGBTQ, migration, and religion.These activities led to a lasting understanding of the importance and vulnerability of human rights. Students realized that these rights are not guaranteed and that they share responsibility for protecting them—especially in times of crisis.Encounters with other cultures strengthened empathy, tolerance, and awareness of diversity. Engagement with the EU showed how crucial international cooperation, open borders, and shared values are for safeguarding human rights. The European idea became tangible through lived exchange.