From June 28th to July 1st, the children's rights team from the Janusz Korczak Comprehensive School, together with the children's rights organization Terre des Hommes embarked on a special educational trip to Lyon. The occasion was the team's 25th anniversary – and the birthday of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the famous author of the world-renowned children's book "The Little Prince," who was born in Lyon 125 years ago and, due to his commitment to children's rights, later became the namesake of Terre des Hommes .
With 16 participants in tow, the journey to Lyon began – a city that provided the setting for intensive encounters, joint learning and exciting insights into history and children's rights.
A highlight was the visit to the Centre d'Histoire de la Résistance et de la Déportation, a museum dedicated to the French resistance movement during the Nazi occupation. The exhibition powerfully conveyed the fate of people who were persecuted, deported, or murdered – including many children. The visit visibly moved the participants and sparked discussions about courage, responsibility, and the protection of children's rights.
On Sunday, June 29 – Saint-Exupéry's birthday – the group laid 16 red roses at the author's monument in Place Bellecour. "One for each of us," said one participant. The silent gesture was a sign of their connection to the humanist legacy of the writer, whose work continues to inspire young people worldwide.
On Monday, another special event followed: a visit to Lyon's city hall. There, the children and their chaperones were welcomed by the mayor's team and given insights into municipal work. The involvement of the students from Neuss was also presented.
Besides the official program, there was plenty of time to explore Lyon – with its eventful history, impressive architecture, and French way of life. The trip was not only a tribute to the past 25 years of work on children's rights, but also a glimpse into what remains: the shared commitment to a child-friendly future – in Neuss, in Europe, and beyond.
Report by Aleksandra Konpa, member of the Terre Terre des Hommes group Neuss/Düsseldorf.
: Terre des Hommes group Neuss/Düsseldorf, Udo Hentrich, u.hentrich@tdh-verein.de