#BRAVE: Together for a Positive Community

In June 2024, just before the long-awaited summer holidays, the latest school took part in the „Together-for-Tolerance“ program. For two days, students from the focus group gathered to learn more about what makes a good community at school and to take a brave step towards improving their school environment. The goal was for everyone in their school to feel accepted and respected, just as they are. Together, they reflected, played, discussed, and brainstormed: What does a positive community and diversity at school mean to each individual? What conflicts can arise? And how could they be resolved? But it didn’t stop there: The students of the focus group also conducted their own survey among their classmates, asking them about problems in their school community and their personal experiences. The goal was to learn more about the challenges in order to sustainably improve the community at their school. The results were very interesting! Based on these reports, the focus group decided, together with the student council (SV), to develop two action plans to address the issues they found most important at their school. In the new school year, these plans are to be further developed and implemented in collaboration with the school social work team, the student council, and the school administration. Raising Awareness To make the topic visible to their peers and school staff, the focus group students decided to wrap up with a chalk campaign in the schoolyard and a joint announcement in the school. With clear words and colorful messages, they highlighted the importance of respect, good communication, and solidarity, and they made a strong statement against racism and discrimination. The Together-for-Tolerance team thanks all the focus group members for their great interest, their commitment, and their valuable contribution to a better community at their school—now and in the future.