terre des hommes and the Gestapo cellar and Augustaschacht memorial sites in Osnabrück are launching a model project for young people
May 6, 2022 - Against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine terre des hommes and the Gestapo Cellar and Augustaschacht memorial sites in Osnabrück have launched a joint pilot project for young refugees. In recent months, many people from Ukraine have found refuge in the city and district of Osnabrück. Families affected by the war from Russia and Belarus also live in the region. The planned project connects the war experiences of different generations. During the Nazi era, the Augustaschacht site served as a labor education camp where many forced laborers from the German-occupied territories of the former Soviet Union were imprisoned. Against this backdrop, the project aims to reach affected young people in the region who now experience war as violent hostility between states with a Soviet history. The goal is to offer workshops to give those affected the opportunity to reflect on their experiences within the framework of a culture of remembrance and, based on this, to find peaceful ways of living together. The pilot project is financially supported by the Lions Club Osnabrück Heger Tor.
The Gestapo Cellar and Augusta Shaft Memorial Association has already conducted numerous international workshops on National Socialism and war with young people in the past. Dr. Michael Gander, Managing Director of the association, stated: “We have successfully implemented our approach to remembrance culture in various youth workshops at the memorial sites during the Russian annexation of Crimea and the military separation of eastern Ukraine. It has proven to be a viable model. We now intend to carefully and gradually involve civil society organizations from Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia in the newly approved project.”
terre des hommes supports more than 250 projects in 37 countries, including numerous regions affected by civil war. Due to the war, projects for refugees and their families are also being supported in Ukraine, neighboring countries, and Germany. "Promoting a culture of peace is one of our most important strategic goals. The active participation of children and young people in the reconciliation of warring parties is a central concern in our project work. Despite all the traumatic experiences of war, it is children and young people who must be given the opportunity for peaceful coexistence. Our projects worldwide aim to contribute to this," said Beat Wehrle, a member terre des hommes board, referring to the practical experience gained from this work, which will be incorporated into the joint project.
Regarding the financial support, the president of the Lions Club Osnabrück Heger Tor, Dr. Stefan Breer, said: "We are delighted about the initiative of terre des hommes and the Gestapo Cellar and Augustaschacht memorial sites. We are happy to support this project because we believe that it will create a bridge for the peaceful coexistence of different cultures in our peace city of Osnabrück."