June 2007 I was invited to germany to hold a poster design workshop to create new and contemporary iconography in the interest of an enigmatic youth organization called 'School Without Racism - School With Courage'. The German Times writes:
"School Without Racism" is a European youth movement that was founded in Belgium in the 1980s. The alliance, "AktionCourage," brought the idea to Germany in 1995. This was a response to an increase in xenophobic and far-right violence. The group believes that children and young people should be given the opportunity to actively campaign for a democratic way of life in their surroundings.
  The "School Without Racism – School With Courage" network now includes 328 schools throughout Germany.

 

poster design  that was printed in an edition of 10000

and hung at highschools throughout Germany  

 Common Ground

Part of my assignment in Germany was to create an artwork involving the public to mark the national meeting of student representatives of 'SCH.w/out Rac.'. I came up with the concept for a floor graffiti called 'Common Ground'.  
 In a group effort we designed a flyer to be handed out to passers-by on the marketplace of the town of Goslar (pretty much the geographic center of germany), explaining and asking them to contribute in drawing and writing chalk-stick messages to everyone walking on this common ground.  
 Student groups were actively inviting anyone who passed by to participate, the drawings and writings on the floor grew and the sheer size of this growing project started to get more and more attention. Different handwritings, languages and scripts in arabic, greek and hebrew as well as drawn symbols added graphic charm to the project. The art spurred discussions, involvement and reflected on contemporary sensitivities.  
 Some neo-nazi youths passed by and got aggressively excited, spitting on and scratching out with their feet slogans and parts of the graffiti that offended them - which for me completed the piece as successful communication art and underscored its power and necessity.  
 Exactly a week earlier at the same place an unauthorized group of neo nazis rallied and had an 'info-stand', handing out posters and stickers and generally proclaimed their presence in this town.  
 Before long the local 'Antifa' - an organized militant group of anti-fascists and present neo-nazis got into a brawl that lasted for hours(!). the police - logistically unprepared - weren't able to break up those fights and settled for re-directing traffic...

please also read the article in the september  '08 issue of

and this op ed article in the

here are some photos of the event:

all photos by Metin Yilmaz

School With Courage

http://www.schule-ohne-rassismus.org/the-project.html

School without Racism – School with Courage*
In 1988, students and youth workers in Belgium developed the idea of "School without Racism" in order to actively do something about discrimination. The project was so successful that it was introduced in various other European countries, too. Meanwhile, more than 750 schools all over Europe have received the honorific "School without Racism".
 
In 1995, the association AKTIONCOURAGE e.V. initiated the project in Germany. In order to further emphasise the active role of the participants, the title was changed to "Schule ohne Rassismus – Schule mit Courage" (School without Racism – School with Courage, brief: SOR-SMC). So far, 375 schools in all of Germany’s federal states have received this title.

Aims and Objectives:
    •      enhancing students' and pupils' awareness of discrimination and racism in all its manifestations
    •     supporting students' and pupils' engagement in the fight against discrimination and for integration and equal opportunities
    •     encouraging students and pupils to develop humane and democratic thought and behaviour patterns
    •     provision of training courses for students, pupils and teachers
    •     lasting reduction of racism, discrimination and violence in our society

How to become a ‘School with Courage’
 
The National Coordination sends students/pupils introductory information and offers them the possibility of obtaining the honorific SOR-SMC for their school.
 
In order to do that, at least 70 percent of the students/pupils, teachers and ancillary staff of a school have to sign a statement that they acknowledge the principles of SOR-SMC. This constitutes a long-term commitment for the school community to engage in activities and projects against violence, discrimination and racism. At the same time the students/pupils look for a well-known personality to sponsor their project.
 
The list of signatures is submitted to the National Coordination, who then reciprocates by ceremonially awarding the school the honorary title SOR-SMC. Thus the schools who have received this become part of a European network whose members get together regularly at regional and European meetings to exchange information and discuss their experiences.
 
The network
 
A co-operative network supports the pupils/students in their activities. This consists of the National Coordination, the different regional Coordination offices as well as regional and national partners and facilitators. These include NGO's, organisations for youth work, regional subgroups of the teachers' unions and governmental bodies such as the Regional Centres for Political Education. The network offers advice and information to pupils/students, but also to educators and others who can help spread this information.
 
Special Features
 
"School without Racism - School With Courage" is a base-line project and works from the bottom up. It originates from within the ranks of the students and pupils. It is they who formulate their ideas, evolve them and put them into action, whenever possible in co-operation with their teachers.
 
The project's emphasis lies in taking action and students and pupils not only gain theoretical knowledge, but also practical and social experience. They acquire important skills which are useful for their future careers and help them become responsible adults.
 
These skills include not only obvious ones like intercultural competence, awareness of democratic processes and active participation in society, but also independent planning and putting their ideas into practice. Depending on the nature of their projects they also gain specific skills in such diverse areas as information technology, public relations, documentation, management, arts and human rights, as well as team work and working within a network structure.
 
Awards
 
The project has already received a number of awards:
Jugendkulturpreis NRW (youth culture prize) 1996 and 1998
Förderpreis "Demokratie leben" (promotion prize "living democracy") awarded by the German parliament, the "Bundestag", 1997 and 1999
Aachener Friedenspreis (Aachen peace prize), 1997
Civis-Preis by WDR (West German radio and TV),Köln 1997
Heinrich-Busman-Preis by SPD (Social-democrat party), Lünen 1997
Buber-Rosenzweig-Medaille by the German Coordination Board of the Society for Christian-Jewish Co-operation, 2001
Botschafter der Toleranz (Ambassador of Tolerance), 2004
 
For further information please contact:
 
Schule ohne Rassismus - Schule mit Courage
National Coordination
Ahornstraße 5 - D-10787 Berlin
Tel.: 030 - 21 45 86.0
Fax: 030 - 21 45 86.20

 schule(at)aktioncourage.org
www.schule-ohne-rassismus.org