German Minority Youth Explore Democracy in Czech Republic Camp
From July 21 to 31, young people from German minorities across Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe, as well as Central Asia, gathered in Žacléř, Czech Republic, for the International Summer Camp. The camp, organized by the Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations (ifa) and the Goethe-Institut, brought together 69 participants aged 14 to 17 from twelve countries.
The camp's theme, 'living democracy', was explored through various workshops. Participants discussed democracy, compared situations in their home countries, and learned to listen to each other. Despite initial nervousness, the entire program was conducted in German, proving beneficial for language development. Robert Rosenberg from Kazakhstan shared that his language skills and confidence improved significantly during the camp.
The camp ended with a visit by a delegation from Germany and Poland, including Bernd Fabritius, the Federal Government Commissioner for Aussiedlerfragen (resettlers' issues) and National Minorities in Germany, and Martin Herbert Dzingel. During the closing event, young participants presented their work, including videos, exhibitions, performances, and 'land art'.
The International Summer Camp in Žacléř/Schatzlar concluded successfully, with participants gaining a deeper understanding of democracy and improving their German language skills. The event fostered cultural exchange and dialogue among young people from diverse backgrounds.
