Focus of the program revolves around political learning.
Environmental Education Center in Oberelsbach Expands to Include Political Education
The Environmental Education Center in Oberelsbach, nestled within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Rhön, is expanding its offerings to include political education. This move is in response to societal developments and the growing desire of young people to participate and engage politically.
Lea Simon, a 26-year-old with a background in European Studies and Economics, is providing a significant impetus for building the new field of political education at the center. Simon is not only shaping the public relations work for the Environmental Education Center via its Instagram channel (@umweltbildungsstaette) but is also responsible for conceiving and implementing political education offerings.
The goal of this expansion is to make political connections tangible and experiential, conveying central democratic values such as tolerance, justice, and freedom. The center aims to sensitize students, students, and adults to our (environmental) world, with its visionary architecture symbolizing the modernity of the timely-conceived educational offering.
New educational modules will allow children and young people to interactively engage with societal questions. Innovative formats like values workshops and simulation games are currently being tested, enabling young people to actively engage with their own political stance and develop an awareness of democratic responsibility.
The "Values Case" from the Bavarian State Center for Political Education will be used as a basis for discussions and reflection on personal attitudes. The holistic offering includes educational components, accommodation, catering, and leisure activities in the modern facilities at the Environmental Education Center.
Bernd Fischer, director of the environmental education center, explains that the expansion keeps the offering up-to-date. Lisa Jensen, director of the Bavarian Rhön Nature Park, views this expansion as a crucial step. Fischer also emphasizes the importance of educational spaces where children and young people can learn to form their own opinions, respect other perspectives, and take responsibility.
The center believes that understanding how political processes work is essential for protecting nature. By making political education visible and accessible not only locally but also digitally, the center hopes to further strengthen the connection between environmental awareness and democratic engagement. The long-term goal is to permanently integrate political education into the profile of the Environmental Education Center.
However, for specific details about the Environmental Education Center in Oberelsbach's political education approach and outcomes for youth democratic engagement, further direct sources or inquiries with the center would be necessary.
- The Environmental Education Center in Oberelsbach, in an attempt to stay relevant and foster political engagement among the younger generation, is incorporating political education into its curriculum, aiming to make political connections tangible and experiential.
- As part of this expansion, the center intends to utilize innovative educational modules and interactive activities, such as values workshops and simulation games, to help young people develop an awareness of democratic responsibility and form their own political stances.
