Arbeitskreis deutscher Bildungsstätten (AdB)

Association of German Educational Organisations

Ms. Ina Bielenberg
Mühlendamm 3
Berlin D-10178
Germany
Tel: +49-30 400 401 17
Fax: +49-30 400 401 22
e-mail: pirker@adb.de or bielenberg@adb.de
www: www.adb.de

History

In 1959 15 youth education centres founded the "Arbeitskreis deutscher Bildungsstätten" as a non -partisan, independent organisation of political and civic education. Centres of adult education joined. In the 70s AdB represented about 80 and shortly before the reunification of Germany more than 100 members. The establishment of political and civic education in the "new countries" as education for democracy became an important goal of AdB. Today AdB contains approximately 200 education centres with various profiles: youth education centres, academies ,Europe centres, international encounter centres, educational centres of party-related foundations, further education centres. As a whole these independent educational organisations represent a wide spectrum of various training offers as well as organisational structures.

Main act

AdB aims to promote political and civic education as a substantial element of democracy. Political and civic education is a training field for democracy. Thus AdB strives to motivate and empower citizens of all generations to participate in the making of society and political processes. Active citizenship is a main goal of all efforts. AdB and its member institutions are places of encounter between people of different cultures and nations. They promote gender equality and equal rights for minorities. They provide learning opportunities for disabled and marginalized people AdB stimulates and organises the exchange of information, experience and expert knowledge, provides training opportunities and represents the interests of political and civic education with regard to federal and international authorities and partners.

Intenational projects

1."Youth and Democracy", project in cooperation with MGSA in Moscow / Russian Federation (Training of experts of youth education)

2. "Youth and Democracy", project in cooperation with city government of Ulan Bator and NGO "Sunrise" / Mongolia ( training of experts of youth education)

3. "Women Engendering Peace and Democracy", project with Jerusalem Link / Israel and Palestinian Autonomies

4. "Theory-Practice: a dialogue on quality criteria in bi-national seminars", project with FEUP / Spain

5. " From Equal Rights to Equal Chances", training project for regional political leaders of WMR ( Movement of Women of Russia)

6. DARE - Democracy and Human Rights Education in adult Learning / a network on Human Rights Education and Education for Democratic Citizenship throughout Europe. Started in 2002. Currently 37 member institutions in 23 European countries.Financed by the EU under SOCRATES programme.

Publications

Quarterly magazine "Außerschulische Bildung", newsletter ( AdB intern), numerous brochures and reports. Last publication "Jugend und Demokratie" on the project with Mongolia, German and Mongolian, together with a separate glossary with terms of political and civic youth education.

Mission statement

Active citizenship
education for democratic citizenship
human rights education