Schwalm-Eder-Kreis: 47 classes celebrate respect and tolerance!

Schwalm-Eder-Kreis: 47 classes celebrate respect and tolerance!

A remarkable day for young people was celebrated in the Schwalm-Eder district on July 20, 2025. In a ceremonial ceremony on the grounds of Anorak 21 in Wabern-Falkenberg, 47 school classes from 13 schools were able to receive the respect and tolerance pass. This special sign of recognition is aimed at participation in the prevention program “Violence is not possible!”, which is offered by the district's youth support department. The aim of this program is to strengthen violence prevention and promote cooperation, which has proven to be extremely successful.

Around half of the district's fifth graders took part in the program this school year, which underlines the value of harmonious coexistence. The final event brought together students, teachers, school social workers and parents to celebrate the success of the participants. A highlight was the awarding of games, small gifts and a subsidy for the class fund to the winners! Special mention was also given to the special prize for the most creative project poster, which took into account the inspiring creative spirit of the classes.

Gain positive experiences

The feedback from the students was consistently positive. In interviews, they described how the program not only strengthened their social skills, but also promoted cohesion within the classes. A popular highlight during the program was a project day, which took place on the site of the former youth hostel in Falkenberg and focused on practical learning. Such experiences enable young people to develop skills that extend beyond the school bench.

In addition to the educational concept, the program is part of the nationwide “Living Democracy!” funding program. The initiative aims to sensitize young people to democracy and tolerance and offer them the opportunity to actively participate in society. There is another chance to take part in the program for the coming school year 2025/26 - the call for applications will be made at the end of November. A comprehensive approach to all lower secondary schools in the district is planned, so that even more classes will have the opportunity to actively participate.

A look into the future

The program has shown that community engagement and strengthening tolerance and respect are key values ​​for the positive development of young people. The broad support of the project “Violence is not possible!” is still needed to accompany future generations on their path. Interested schools can find further information and opportunities to participate on the Democracy Live! website.

A big thank you goes to everyone who took part in the event and supports the initiative. Not only have you made an important contribution to violence prevention, but you have also laid the foundation for a respectful and inclusive school culture.