Stiftung wannseeFORUM

The wannseeFORUM Foundation (Stiftung wannseeFORUM) is an incorporated foundation under German civil law. It is an education and conference centre, a place of encounter for children, youths and adults. Interested non-profit groups and institutions can rent our rooms and conference services. The resulting revenues form a basis for our education activities, which are the core and purpose of the foundation’s work. The foundation is not affiliated with any party, religion, or interest group. We represent the core democratic value of our republic as well as the universal human rights. We stand for cosmopolitanism, diversity and equal rights for all, regardless of gender, religion, social, or cultural origins. Our unique profile consists of our fusion of political and cultural/arts education, which we combine in a participatory, inclusive, and emancipatory manner. Our education work primarily targets youths as well as adults who work with youngsters. Our seminars can last from one to ten days and usually include overnight stays. They help youth develop the democratic self-confidence that they can use in their everyday lives. We help convey strategies of action for use in daily politics to which young people are open. From the start, it is our goal to help youth take part in the decision-making process within their political, social, and public surroundings. Dance, theatre, film, photography, new media, and music are not just the means to these ends, but also help to provide opportunities for action. On top of this, it is a fulfilling and rewarding experience for young people to express themselves artistically and individually. Not only do we teach political and methodological know-how, we also include arts and aesthetic education. Therefore, we usually hire professional artists and media professionals from all sorts of different backgrounds to lead the respective workshop groups during our seminars. It is especially helpful to be able to offer our seminars amidst the secluded settings of our beautiful mansion on Lake Pohlesee. This exquisite atmosphere reflects the appreciation with which we welcome our young guests. The quality and amenities of our premises thus contribute to the education activities of our foundation. The educational programme of wannseeFORUM is hosted and structured in three departments: Department of Political/Civic Education, Department of Cultural/Arts Education and International Exchange, Department of New Media Education. Attending a wannseeFORUM seminar means active learning. Learning does not just happen during our artistic workshops, media workshops and plenary events, but 24 hours a day. - Learning is the ability to learn together, from one another, and by helping others. - Learning, at the same time, means engaging one another in critical discourse and wrestling out results. - Learning means working on the seminar topic together, towards a common goal, both in small teams and with the entire group. - Learning also means organising leisure time in such a way as to engage with others, to recognise and accept each other’s differences, and to interact with mutual respect and esteem in all situations. Part of successful learning becomes visible during final presentations at the end of the seminar. By that time, participants will have achieved a common goal. Highly motivated and qualified instructors accompany the participants during this process. The evaluation process of our seminars helps to assure that successful learning remains a vital, living process. We see ourselves as experts from a diverse group of occupations, seeking to inspire and support young people, helping them to engage in critical discourse with the world around them. In doing so, we take their views and insights seriously. Mutual understanding is the prerequisite for a reciprocal learning process, which in turn leads to new insights. We are not, however, satisfied with tepid mutual accolades, but seek to foster a productive, and sometimes