"Independent conflict resolution for schoolchildren": Senior citizens in Fürther assisting older students in resolving disputes autonomously
In the city of Fürth, Germany, the Senior Partners in School (SiS) project is making a significant impact on local schools. The project, which was founded in 2001 by social pedagogue Christiane Richter, is now supporting 18 schools in the Nuremberg metropolitan region, with more on the waiting list.
The SiS network has been growing in Bavaria, thanks to the support and funding it receives from a non-profit association through donations, grants, and volunteer work. The project is particularly active in the schools Frauenstraße, Rosenstraße, and Maistraße, where it is making a positive difference.
At the heart of the SiS project is the mediation work, which aims to resolve conflicts in a manner that is independent and without formal sanctions. Mechthild Müller and Ludwig Schmitt are two volunteer school mediators at the Pestalozzi School, working as part of the SiS project.
Most disputes mediated involve relationships between children, with topics ranging from seemingly small disputes to difficult questions about exclusion, insults, or conflicts related to puberty. The focus of the mediation work is on developing empathy, self-efficacy, and a sense of responsibility in children.
At the Pestalozzi School, mediators discuss the feelings that led to the dispute and explore unmet needs. The school also has a weekly 'Room of Good Solutions' where students learn to handle disputes independently. Mediators always work in pairs and offer confidential conversations at the Pestalozzi School.
The SiS project not only resolves conflicts but also conveys a piece of lived democracy as a significant component of school culture in the region. When children find their own solution, they are eager to go to school the next day, according to the school principal.
Beyond the Pestalozzi School, eight mediators are currently engaged in the city area of Fürth. Mediators also offer individual conversations where children can discuss personal issues or experiences with bullying.
The SiS project in Fürth contributes to children taking responsibility for their actions, developing empathy, and boosting their self-confidence. Senior partners themselves benefit from new social contacts, meaningful tasks, and personal growth through their involvement in the project.
The project is in need of more volunteers, particularly men who can serve as role models. Interested individuals can contact Elfriede von Luedinghausen directly for more information at +49 (0)160 7864405 or [email protected].
School principal Stefanie Pistor is convinced of the work, stating that it provides a valuable enrichment for the school. The SiS project in Fürth is making a positive difference in the lives of children and the community, fostering a culture of empathy, responsibility, and democracy.
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