Mainz (dpa / lrs) – together with the state parliament of Rhineland-Palatinate, the state center for political education is calling on young people aged 13 to 20 to deal with the flood disaster in the Ahr Valley in creative contributions. “The flood will leave scars” is one of three themes of the student and youth competition. The other two read “Congratulations on the anniversary! 75 years of Rhineland-Palatinate” and “Between lockdown and restart – living and learning in a digital world”. The closing date for entries is April 8th.
Last year, around 200 participants took part with 60 individual or group contributions. “In a variety of forms of expression – whether text works, pictorial or digitally implemented works – the young people often provide unexpected ways of looking at topics that make us rethink our own approach,” said the director of the state center, Bernhard Kukatzki. We are always looking for topics that particularly affect the federal state. The President of the Landtag makes the final decision.
Events like the flood disaster are “watershed events that force us to pause and make course corrections if necessary,” said State Parliament President Hendrik Hering (SPD). “Crises often require certain things to be reconsidered.” This could also be an opportunity. “Creative processes can be initiated and give us completely new impulses.”
The organizing team hopes for active participation. In recent years, schools from the Ahr Valley in particular have been actively involved, said Sarah Scholl-Schneider from the State Center for Civic Education. However, the competition is designed in such a way that it is aimed at young people in all regions of the country – at pupils at a Realschule plus as well as at a grammar school or at a vocational school.
The topic of the flood disaster is particularly topical at the planned award ceremony on July 5 – about a week before the first anniversary. The prizes include a study trip to Berlin, participation in a state parliament seminar, day trips or purchases for school classes, as well as books, games and videos.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:220302-99-347072/2
–
