"EINFACH GUT GEMACHT": EXEMPLARY PROJECTS OF POLITICAL EDUCATION IN SAXONY ON ONE PLATFORM

What does Saxony stand for? Eierschecke, wooden figures, exemplary political education projects? With the "EINFACH GUT GEMACHT" platform, the John Dewey Research Center for the Didactics of Democracy (JoDDiD) shows that a lively scene of political education and democratic work has developed in Saxony, from which a great deal can be learned - in Saxony and beyond.

JoDDiD has examined projects in Saxony that are worthy of emulation according to political didactic criteria. Selected projects are presented in video portraits on the "EINFACH GUT GEMACHT" web platform. The launch and the first public screening of the videos took place on July 3, 2023 in the presence of State Ministers Katja Meier and Petra Köpping in the Dülferstraße ballroom at TU Dresden.

The projects honored by "EINFACH GUT GEMACHT" were also presented at the event. They show in an exemplary way that there are excellent strategies for political education in Saxony, especially in a challenging situation, which are also sustainable from a scientific perspective.

The projects presented include "We go apart with art", an eco-festival in Lusatia that uses a peer approach, "good gaming - well played democracy", a project by the Amadeu Antonio Foundation that works with street work approaches in the digital gaming cosmos, and "Zusammenspiel - gemeinsam mehr erreichen", which offers democratic education in a daycare centre in Hoyerswerda and the "Neuen Sächsischen Demokratietrainer*innen" from the umbrella organization of Saxon migrant organizations, which encourage people with a history of migration to get involved in politics and society.

Prof. Anja Besand, Director of JoDDiD, explains: "With the "EINFACH GUT GEMACHT" project, we want to make strategies for exemplary political education visible in order to show how much expertise has been developed in this field in Saxony. "EINFACH GUT GEMACHT" is a platform that provides ideas for new projects and inspires political educators."

Prof. Roswitha Böhm, Vice-Rector University Culture at TU Dresden, emphasizes: "The "EINFACH GUT GEMACHT" project of the John Dewey Research Center for the Didactics of Democracy is a prime example of TU Dresden's social commitment. As a scientific institution, we bear responsibility for social cohesion. The project gives multipliers direct access to scientific knowledge. This is extremely important in times of scientific skepticism and the threat to democratic structures."

Katja Meier, Minister of State for Justice, Democracy, Europe and Equality, emphasizes: "Extracurricular civic education is diverse and strengthens our democracy because it is close to people, supports them in getting involved and participating in political processes. JoDDiD presents particularly successful examples. I very much welcome the fact that these are portrayed on their own platform as inspiration and encouragement for a broad audience. This was precisely our intention when the John Dewey Research Center for the Didactics of Democracy was established almost three years ago: To show what great and effective forms and formats of extracurricular political education can be found in practice throughout the country. I would like to thank everyone involved for their commitment to a stronger democracy and better coexistence in Saxony and I look forward to seeing 'EINFACH GUT GEMACHT' grow with examples of best practice from all regions of Saxony in the near future."

Petra Köpping, Minister of State for Social Affairs and Social Cohesion, emphasizes "We need a lot of energy and impetus to anchor democracy work in all parts of society. Innovative approaches help to address new target groups with their perspectives and can strengthen social cohesion. I hope that the "EINFACH GUT GEMACHT" platform will help to publicize new, unusual project approaches. May these projects also give other people ideas to start initiatives in their own environment."

The John Dewey Research Center for the Didactics of Democracy (JoDDiD)
Since its foundation in 2020, the John Dewey Research Centre for the Didactics of Democracy has seen itself as an innovation center in the field of political education and has the task of researching, developing and making visible new formats, methods and mediation concepts. It thus supports Saxon stakeholders in extracurricular education in the preparation, new development and reflective evaluation of civic education programs against the background of a challenging social situation. In this context, the research center focuses in particular on the area of extracurricular political youth and adult education. Perspectives on political education in schools are only relevant if they are related to extracurricular educational institutions. The John Dewey Research Center for the Didactics of Democracy thus closes the gap between academic infrastructure and pedagogical educational practice in the context of professional exchange in (extracurricular) political youth and adult education.

The John Dewey Research Center for the Didactics of Democracy invites stakeholders and providers of political education to reflect on political education as a field of activity with its specific and contemporary challenges in a stimulating environment and with an inquiring eye.

Photos:
Anika Dollmeyer

Links:
Platform EINFACHGUTGEMACHT: www.einfachgutgemacht.joddid.de
Trailer for the project: https: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4o6KOn5A0U
John Dewey Research Center for the Didactics of Democracy: www.joddid.de
JoDDiD Instagram: @joddidforschungsstelle

Get in touch:
Agnes Scharnetzky
Scientific project coordinator of the JoDDiD
Phone: 0351 463-41137