The first participatory seminar of the year focused on the theme "Democracy – Your Opinion Counts." From February 19th to 23rd, 2024, a total of 37 students from the Wilma-Rudolf-Oberschule and the Willi-Graf-Gymnasium a week at the wannseeFORUM. The seminar was particularly aimed at students who are involved in school activities, such as student government or extracurricular clubs.
Monday began for everyone with a joint plenary session. Here we started with introductions and an overview of the seminar. In the school groups, participants first gathered information on the extent to which student participation takes place and is possible. The two groups then presented their findings to each other. Furthermore, we were able to gain a substantive introduction to the topic of "democracy.".
Afterwards, both school groups independently divided themselves into the four workshops: Analog Photography, Design, Film, and (Dance) Theatre. In these groups, the students worked together with the respective guest lecturers on an artistic project on the theme of "Democracy".
The Analog Photography group first learned the techniques and operation of analog cameras. The group then split into smaller subgroups, each creating its own series of photographs. These included a series on denazification, a visit to the House of the Wannsee Conference, and a series on "free democracy" and electoral processes. The photographs were then developed in the darkroom.
The design workshop focused on learning the fundamentals of graphic design. For example, one group created a logo for the school radio station. At the same time, the workshop also covered rhetoric, practicing presentation skills, moderation, and project planning.
During the week-long film workshop, the group worked on a film that they independently produced, edited, and wrote. The result is a gripping crime thriller depicting democracy and justice in a court trial.
The dance theatre workshop focused on democracy in schools. The students created a piece in which they portrayed experiences and situations from their school days and, at the same time, powerfully expressed their own demands on the school, such as for trusted teachers who meet certain criteria and for more respectful interaction between teachers and students.
After the impressive presentations from all the workshops and a review of the week, it was time to say goodbye. We thank all the students, teachers, and guest lecturers who made this wonderful and valuable week possible and look forward to seeing you all again!
