With this year’s annual theme “United in Diversity”, Adult Education Centres (Volkshochschulen) all over Germany address a crucial challenge to our democracy: to strengthen the cohesion of society and address the diversity of individual identities at the same time.
Throughout 2022, many Volkshochschulen will offer a special programme geared towards the topics of diversity and social cohesion. These offers can range from open citizens’ dialogues, interactive games for teenagers, trainings on anti-racism or diversity mainstreaming, empowerment courses for people of colour, special offers for people with disabilities, classes for the elderly, to courses on political science, religion or history. At the same time, the Volkshochschulen will reflect on their own organisational development and structure.
“Education for everyone” is a core principle of the Volkshochschule identity. It is based on the idea of a democratic society that embraces diversity and solidarity. Volkshochschulen regard lifelong learning as essential in getting citizens involved in democratic processes and to ensure active participation.
Social cohesion can only be strengthened if a society offers possibilities of participation for everyone. Volkshochschulen aim to be key actors in this process and include citizens regardless of their identity. They emphasise that social cohesion needs to be understood as a unity in diversity. As a matter of fact, German society is extremely diverse in identities, perspectives, skills and realities. Volkshochschulen see the enormous potential of this diversity. “Volkshochschulen as organisations have the responsibility to embrace diversity in all areas: It concerns its students, personnel, teaching staff, and administration.”[1]
There are enormous societal challenges ahead – climate change, the consequences of the Covid pandemic, global migration, the digital divide, an increasingly polarised society or demographic change. To successfully adapt and react to these changes, it is vital to have a multitude of perspectives and also a critical discourse that involves different opinions.
Volkshochschulen are the ideal places to create an atmosphere of togetherness and a sense of community as they are open for everyone. People from different backgrounds can be encouraged to actively participate in society. However, it should not be the aim of democratic and pluralistic societies to make differences invisible. Far more important is the acceptance and embracement of diversity. Everyone should have the chance to make their voice heard. Volkshochschulen support this idea with their very own identity. They create open and diverse spaces for learning and therefore function as vital actors in contributing to a more diverse Germany.
Nonetheless, achieving social cohesion by strengthening diversity is a path paved with challenges and sometimes also barriers. The President of the German Adult Education Association (Deutscher Volkshochschul-Verband e.V.) Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer emphasizes:
“Diversity grows out of a multitude of perspectives. It is a process of learning and development that is not always easy and free of resistance and barriers. Nevertheless, Volkshochschulen can be strong actors of change especially in this process.”
To become these actors of change, Volkshochschulen are actively working on removing barriers and being spaces of anti-discrimination. Being open to everyone also entails reaching out to voices that often do not feel included. Volkshochschulen and other societal actors have to listen and to include the perspectives of migrants, non-white people, queer people, people with disabilities and the elderly. To further implement this openness and diversity as a basic cornerstone of their identity, Volkshochschulen in 2022 have dedicated themselves to the motto “United in Diversity”.
[1] „Vielfalt. Begegnung. Bildung. Diversity-Mainstreaming in den Volkshochschulen und ihren Verbänden“ (DVV 2021)
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