In dialogues of young and old, in discussions between two or three generations, as well as in personal encounters with contemporary witnesses, difficult educational challenges can be mastered and international encounters thus successfully implemented, in order to sustainably initiate intergenerational education, to improve skills and to dispel individual preconceptions.

The significance of lifelong learning

The European Union rightly demands and promotes a lifelong learning in its programmes and demonstrations, which is of fundamental importance for everyone and provides for the acquisition of key competencies, such as knowledge, skills and personal attitudes. It is not only an advantage for each national employment market, but also for an active public spirit and social cohesion in a society subjected to constant change. Competencies for the personal development and progression of humans are particularly required through the promotion of language learning, multilateral projects or through educational measures with specific pedagogical approaches.

Learning through intergenerational dialogue

For more than eleven years, the International Meeting Centre of St. Marienthal (IBZ) – founded in 1992 by the Cistercians of St. Marienthal Abbey in Ostritz in the immediate vicinity of Poland – has dedicated itself to promoting the “Transnational Dialogue of Generations”. The IBZ, a member of the Association of Catholic Social Training Centres (AKSB), organises bi- and tri-national events, workshops and seminars for this purpose, which simultaneously focus on several goals. It initially starts with analysing the political-historical events which respectively connect or even divide Poles, Czechs and Germans. The uniting of contemporary witnesses, youths and young adults is intensively prepared for this purpose and its involvement in a common dialogue of generations accompanies this. Prospects for the younger generation are additionally developed, namely in the common dialogue with the older people. A further goal is the exchange of knowledge on the situation of humans. Thus the respective general political, social, ecological and economic conditions are explained and they strive to overcome the language barriers as well as the existing old and new preconceptions (e.g. regarding poverty, wealth, criminality, culture and religion).

In seminars on historical learning - for example, “Ask us, we are the last!”, “Political decisions – historical events in Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic”, and “Historical trail in the border triangle” - there are personal encounters with contemporary witnesses (e.g. concentration camp survivors). The participants can delve into the insights and experiences of the older generation and scrutinise historical accounts. Less and less eyewitnesses are able to authentically report on the Second World War and the subsequent years. Intensive discussions with those concerned often exchange completely different information on this topic than literature, films or documentaries can. The participants are sensitised to historical contexts through encounters with personal stories and for preoccupation with the past, they are also encouraged and motivated to scrutinise the “blanks in the stories” (either consciously kept secret or wrongly interpreted).

Courage for the future

Along with reconciliation and the common process of coming to terms with this past, the present and future focus is on the question of the concept of a common Europe. The intergenerationally-designed seminars and workshops (for example, “Germany meets the East-European countries”, “Euro region on the Neiße – an opportunity for humans”) exchange knowledge on others, foreigners or the neighbouring country. Awareness of and talking about problems, and the common (i.e. cross-border and cross-generational) search for solutions can help to overcome preconceptions or worries and to approach each other. In the personal encounters, tolerance and understanding, as well as the willingness to cooperate constructively, are established, particularly in the border areas between Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic. Through the support and promotion of these human encounters, the IBZ acts as a bridge between the East and West as well as between present and future, without discriminating against gender, age, class and nationality.

For more information, go to: www.ibz-marienthal.de Project leader Dr Beata Bykowska E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it