20 January 2021 No 1 ISSN 1664-7963

Current Concerns PO Box CH-8044 Zurich Current Concerns Switzerland The international journal for independent thought, ethical standards, moral responsibility, Phone: +41 44 350 65 50 Fax: +41 44 350 65 51 and for the promotion and respect of public international law, human rights and humanitarian law

E-Mail: [email protected] Website: www.currentconcerns.ch English Edition of Zeit-Fragen

At the beginning of the year by Erika Vögeli

Mural “Health and Freedom” by Hans Erni (today exhibited in the Palais des Nations in Geneva): On the left, the young fam- ily, in the background of which lurks the disease-bearing Death as a hooded man, in the middle the happy family – whereby the gesture of the woman pointing to the left picture could also be interpreted as an awareness of the foundations of one’s own hap- piness in the face of existing injustice, while the right part reminds us of the importance of sufficient and healthy nutrition for a healthy development. (Picture ma)

With the spread of the virus SARS-CoV-2 one to understand the situation as an “his- reason are discontent with the current po- and the measures taken against it around toric opportunity” and to urge our govern- litical, economic and social conditions the globe our lives partly have been ments to use our limited resources instead must not wear themselves out with polar- turned upside down. For many people – of wars and the destruction of life for its isation and the unrest and fragmentation especially in poor countries – life has be- protection, for far-sighted prevention and that goes with it. They must not let them- come even more difficult. The outrageous research as appropriate. “This is the mo- selves be roped in for “Wutbürger” (en- injustices have become even greater. The ment to rise up to the challenge, demand raged citizen) strategies or be fobbed off global financial elite and some sectors of reasonable budgetary priorities, laws and with endless pseudo-democratic squab- the economy have enriched themselves regulations that place people above prof- bling. Instead, the actual majority of even further, the super-rich have become its, demand ethics in foreign policy, an our states, which are fed up to be served even richer and the poor even poorer. This end to the insane arms race and criminal with “managed democracy” and control is in all the newspapers, and the progno- wars.” via global governance, could take on the ses about the negative consequences are Diana Johnstone, in her article “The real issues themselves. What is urgently piling up everywhere. The question mere- great pretext ... for an anti-utopia” (in the needed in the thunderstorm of globalisa- ly is what conclusions we draw from this. last issue) pointed out, that “cries of alarm tion is a return to value-oriented unions, The would-be global governance will from the margins” will not change the bal- of initiatives and opportunities of direct, do everything in its power to maintain ance of power. What is needed, according not “controlled” discussion and encoun- and, if possible, expand its position. And to her approach, is “for people to get to- ter from person to person, to the recov- according to the motto “Divide and con- gether everywhere to study the issues and ery of the political, of good faith and trust, quer”, the debates about rightness and develop well-reasoned opinions on goals so that people can get once again an own nonsense of the measures taken, the fuel- and methods of future development.” Cer- voice “from below”, and to the strength- ling of antagonisms and alleged conflicts tainly the question arises whether and how ening of existing self-organisation. This of interest will surely find their place such public discussions could be protect- cannot be done overnight, but where you there. The fact is that all the changes pre- ed from dishonest influence ... in order to start, it changes something fundamental: It tended necessary because of corona, in enable a real “free market of ideas”, and is the step out of powerlessness, resigna- the sense of the “Great Reset” have long that regardless of any political correctness tion, and anger towards civic responsibili- been in the planning – and implementa- “the right to be wrong” (Alfred de Zayas) ty and self-help. These approaches exist in tion. Readily the opportunity is taken to is guaranteed. many areas – perhaps we just don’t make push them further. Alfred de Zayas coun- In any case, Diana Johnstone’s advice enough use of them. ters this with a decidedly other possibility. expresses something fundamental that our In his committed plea, he calls on every- time sorely needs: those who with good continued on page 3 No 1 20 January 2021 Current Concerns Page 2 Every human being has the right to live in peace Push-back against the “Great Reset” by Prof. Dr iur. et phil. Alfred de Zayas The coronavirus up- top economists like Jeffrey Sachs, Joseph All humans have a right to live in peace heaval justifies rais- Stiglitz and Thomas Piketty, and reorient – not just ourselves, but also all the peo- ing and addressing the economy toward a coherent human-se- ples that our governments assault, exploit fundamental ques- curity paradigm that leaves no one behind. and humiliate. We demand that public in- tions. Do we want We can and must demand transparency stitutions promote and protect our privacy to go back to “busi- and accountability from the authorities, and family life. Both are under attack in ness as usual”, do whose responsibility it is to convert the flagrant violation of articles 17 and 23 of we want to pick up economy into a sustainable people-centred the International Covenant on Civil and on a dysfunction- institution that creates jobs in the health, Political Rights (ICCPR), and Article 10 al economic model education and services sectors. of the Covenant on Economic, Social and Alfred de Zayas characterized by We must push-back against the em- Cultural Rights. We must assert our indi- (Picture ma) wealth imbalances brace of Big Brother, globalism, milita- vidual and collective right to our culture, and structural vio- rism, totalitarianism, intrusive govern- identity and traditions, our right to access lence? This is a historic opportunity to de- ment surveillance, conformist culture and all information, as stipulated in article mand and implement cross-cutting chang- homologation, thought police and denun- 19(2) ICCPR, our right to impart informa- es in the system, redefine our priorities in ciation, fake news from government and tion without governmental or private-sec- terms of human rights and human digni- the so-called “quality press”, fake law, tor censorship, our right to our own opin- ty, demand that our governments cease fake history, fake diplomacy, fake de- ions, our right to be wrong. If we allow wasting our limited resources in wars, mocracy. ourselves to be intimidated by the tenets missiles, drones, military bases, false flag We must push-back against efforts of “political correctness” and succumb to and other criminal interventions, and in- to turn us into mere numbers, robots, or self-censorship, Orwellian dystopia has stead devote more research and develop- “consumers”. Inaction against the so- won. ment into preparedness strategies – pre- cial virus of conformism and indifference We demand from our democratical- paredness to anticipate threats, prevent means surrendering the fundamental free- ly elected officials that they do what they them where possible or combat the con- doms and human rights acquis that prior were elected to do, that they represent us sequences of future pandemics, volcanic generations won for themselves and for and not only the lobbies or the corpora- eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis or aster- us. This is no time to cop out, deceiving tions. The alternative to action is reckless oid impacts. ourselves that things eventually will fall self-delusion. The Romans already knew This is the time to revive the legacy of into place. This is the moment to rise up that mundus vult decipi – the world wants Eleanor Roosevelt, rediscover the spir- to the challenge, demand reasonable budg- to be deceived. Let us not be deceived ituality of the Universal Declaration of etary priorities, laws and regulations that by the World Economic Forum’s “Great Human Rights, ensure that human rights place people above profits, demand eth- Reset”, the latest scam to keep the rich are juridical, justiciable and enforceable. ics in foreign policy, an end to the insane rich and the poor poor. Even Julius Cae- It is also time to draw on the experience of arms race and criminal wars. continued on page 3

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Article 17 2. Everyone shall have the right to free- 2. The right of men and women of mar- 1. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary dom of expression; this right shall in- riageable age to marry and to found or unlawful interference with his pri- clude freedom to seek, receive and a family shall be recognized. vacy, family, home or correspond- impart information and ideas of all 3. No marriage shall be entered into ence, nor to unlawful attacks on his kinds, regardless of frontiers, either without the free and full consent of honour and reputation. orally, in writing or in print, in the the intending spouses. 2. Everyone has the right to the protec- form of art, or through any other 4. States Parties to the present Covenant tion of the law against such interfer- media of his choice. shall take appropriate steps to ensure ence or attacks. Article 23 equality of rights and responsibilities of 1. The family is the natural and funda- spouses as to marriage, during marriage Article 19 mental group unit of society and is and at its dissolution. In the case of dis- 1. Everyone shall have the right to hold entitled to protection by society and solution, provision shall be made for the opinions without interference. the State. necessary protection of any children. The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) Article 10 with the free consent of the intend- reasons of parentage or other con- The States Parties to the present Cove- ing spouses. ditions. Children and young persons nant recognize that: 2. Special protection should be accorded should be protected from economic to mothers during a reasonable peri- and social exploitation. Their employ- 1. The widest possible protection and od before and after childbirth. During ment in work harmful to their morals assistance should be accorded to the such period working mothers should or health or dangerous to life or likely family, which is the natural and fun- be accorded paid leave or leave with to hamper their normal development damental group unit of society, par- adequate social security benefits. should be punishable by law. States ticularly for its establishment and 3. Special measures of protection and should also set age limits below which while it is responsible for the care assistance should be taken on be- the paid employment of child labour and education of dependent chil- half of all children and young per- should be prohibited and punishable dren. Marriage must be entered into sons without any discrimination for by law. No 1 20 January 2021 Current Concerns Page 3

”At the beginning of the year” a real basis for overcoming such a cri- the spread of a virus, but first in the mind. continued from page 1 sis and many other problems. Interesting- In the lack of awareness of what the con- There is a human force that could give ly enough, it initially received a voice in ditions of human coexistence and freedom a solid foundation and momentum to this many media. It was the awareness that we are, and that the life of man is the high- human path the sense of human bonding. can only deal with such a situation togeth- est good; it is its preservation and contin- At the moment, the dominant mood in the er. Solidarity in the true sense of the word. uation and possible improvement, which media public sphere is one of fatigue, al- Humanity. This includes mutual consid- human activity has always served – must leged antagonism of interests, a kind of eration, taking care of each other, mutu- serve, even the economic. Because with- singularisation of concerns. al help. Something like reflection began out life there is also no freedom. But this was not always the case. At the about our situation and our living together When the inhabitants of the valley of very beginning of the pandemic there was in a broader sense. About the importance Uri wanted to maintain the freedom that something quite different – at least in this of real, human relationships, about sensi- was possible at the time and bought their country. A different mood prevailed. Not ble economics, reflection about globalisa- freedom from the Habsburgs by enabling exuberant. Not a festive mood. But some- tion and much more. About the fact that the emperor to redeem his pledge debts to thing very solid, something humanly con- things cannot go on “like this” – not only the Habsburgs, they had first of all taken necting. Something that gave courage, that in this country, but also in the larger di- great restrictions upon themselves: They inspired creative activity in the face of the mension of global conditions. Not in an ac- literally stinted themselves for freedom – problems, that made people look for so- tivist way, but very serious and considered. a resolutely solidary effort by the whole lutions. Something that could provide On this basis one could work together. De- community – for everyone. velop solutions. Also for the consequenc- How about that? The mood in the es of the pandemic and how to combat it. spring had the potential to do just that. Or We could also think about the nature of in other words of the great poet of free- ”Every human being has the right …” freedom there. About the fact that it only dom, Friedrich Schiller: continued from page 1 makes sense in a social context. And about sar warned about our blindness and our the fact that it cannot be had or maintained Freiheit liebt das Tier der Wüste, tendency to believe what we want to be- without morality. Perhaps we would then Frei im Äther herrscht der Gott, lieve: Quae volumus, ea credimus libent- be better armed against the effects of com- Ihrer Brust gewaltg’e Lüste er (We like to believe what we want.) (De pletely unnecessary debates, for example, Zähmet das Naturgebot; bello civili, 2, 27, 2). those about an alleged trade-off between Doch der Mensch in ihrer Mitte More than ever in 2021, we must dem- the economy and health or the constructed Soll sich an den Menschen reihn, onstrate the courage of our convictions opposition between freedom and health. Und allein durch seine Sitte and learn to articulate our own ideas – Better armed, too, against the suggestion Kann er frei und mächtig sein. notwithstanding the asphyxiating social techniques of “communication experts” (aus: Das Eleusische Fest) pressures of an emerging “cancel culture” who want to denigrate the natural human that destroys the marketplace of ideas and striving for the best possible protection (Freedom’s love the beast inflames, undermines democratic governance. We of life and health as “health fanaticism” And the god rules free in air, need more whistleblowers who reveal the and, with the spin that freedom has always While the law of Nature tames crimes and covers-up of government of- “had its price,” put protection efforts on Each wild lust that lingers there. ficials and mercenaries, including those the sidelines as “exaggerated.” So, about Yet, when thus together thrown, in the private sector. We need pluralistic a hundred deaths a day for the “freedom” Man with man must fain unite; news services -- and this necessarily en- of partying, going to restaurants, riding ski And by his own worth* alone tails more, not less, alternative media. Sa- gondolas? For whose freedom? That of the Can he freedom gain, and might. pere aude! Dare to know. (Horace/Imma- shark in the trout pond? Political freedom [from: The Eleusinium Festival] nuel Kant)! • is not lost through the restrictions against *within the meaning of morals) •

Current Concerns The international journal for independent thought, ethical standards, moral responsibility, and for the promotion and respect of public international law, human rights and humanitarian law

Subscribe to Current Concerns – The journal of an independent cooperative The cooperative Zeit-Fragen is a politically and financially independent organisation. All of its mem­bers work on a voluntary and honorary basis. The journal does not accept commercial advertisements of any kind and receives no financial support from business organisations. The journal Current Concerns is financed exclusively by its subscribers. We warmly recommend our model of free and independent press coverage to other journals. Annual subscription rate of CHF 40,-; Euro 30,-; USD 40,-; GBP 25,- for the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hongkong, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Lux- embourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Qatar, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates,­ United Kingdom, USA Annual subscription rate of CHF 20,-; Euro 15,-; USD 20,-; GBP 12,50 for all other countries. Please choose one of the following ways of payment: - send a cheque to Current Concerns, P. O. Box, CH-8044 Zurich, or - send us your credit card details (only Visa), or - pay into one of the following accounts: CH: Postscheck-Konto (CHF): 87-644472-4 IBAN CH91 0900 0000 8764 4472 4 BIC POFICHBEXXX CH: Postscheck-Konto (Euro): 91-738798-6 IBAN CH83 0900 0000 9173 8798 6 BIC POFICHBEXXX D: Volksbank Tübingen, Kto. 67 517 005, BLZ 64190110 IBAN DE12 6419 0110 0067 5170 05 BIC GENODES1TUE A: Raiffeisen Landesbank, Kto. 1-05.713.599, BLZ 37000 IBAN AT55 3700 0001 0571 3599 BIC RVVGAT2B No 1 20 January 2021 Current Concerns Page 4 Syria – No future without electricity, heating oil and work by Karin Leukefeld, Homs (Syria)

For Christians in Syria, Christmas in 2020 was lacklustre. The brightly col- oured decorations on churches and hous- es that once would attract thousands to Christian neighbourhoods in order to take part in the festivities are scarce. Prices for necessary everyday goods are high, the US occupation of Syria’s oil and gas resources, the looting of wheat, oil and cotton in the north-east of the coun- try, financial and economic sanctions by the EU and the US are exacerbating the people’s misery. Christmas 2020 – On the tracks of the Syrian Christians Bassir, Deraa province. In 2020, Syria’s largest Christmas tree was already erected in mid-December in the village of Bassir, south of Damascus. The Christian vil- lage, located south of Damascus in the Maaloula December 2020: The Christmas tree is set up in the central square. province of Deraa, was first mentioned in (Picture Karin Leukefeld) 8 BC. Later on, Bassir became a military base for the Romans with 5,000 soldiers in a second home for all people: “For those times 7,500 pounds, a family has to spend order to protect the transport routes from who are here and those who are gone, 225,000 pounds a month just on felafel. south and east to the Mediterranean and those who are near and those who are far Without anything to drink, without soap Rome. away, murderers and martyrs, residents or washing powder, without oil or any- Before the war in 2011, around 3,700 and refugees, friends and enemies.” thing else. But the family only has 90,000 people lived in Bassir, today there are still As early winter darkness fell, fireworks pounds. And surely, they will have chil- about 2,000 left. Bassir and the surround- were displayed and the tree – draped all dren who go to school or study, who need ing villages were largely spared from the over with fairy lights – was ceremoniously books, internet access and so on. What if fighting. The inhabitants are farmers pro- lit. Beyond the crowd, having a cup of tea someone in the family gets sick and needs viding Damascus with its daily bread and in the simple house of a farming family in expensive medication? Which may not vegetables. Before the war, the harvests a familiar circle, people would later say even be available then!” from Bassir were exported to Jordan, Leb- that they wished that all the money for the Father Zehri Ghazal has talked him- anon, Iraq and as far as the Gulf States. fireworks and for the big tree, for the fes- self into a rage. His manner of speaking But for ten years, the borders have been tivities and the modern tilt camera includ- is in complete contrast to his appearance closed and many workers and especially ing drone that transmitted the events on and his otherwise calm, humorous man- the young men have left Syria. screens – that all the money had been dis- ner. The conversation between him and the By putting up the Christmas tree, tributed to families, it would have helped author focuses on the miserable economic Christmas was intended to be celebrated quite a few. situation in Syria and the question of how with the inhabitants of the surrounding people can survive. What can the Church Muslim villages, despite all the problems. A winter without do, how could Europe help? And finally, The people are linked through work, and electricity and heating oil what about Christmas this year? How will even the war would not destroy their rela- “Do you in Europe actually know what the Syrian Christians celebrate? tionships. Somehow, however, the local- it’s like to live without electricity? With- This year’s Christmas will be sad, says ly conceived celebration then turned into out heating oil in winter, without gas for Father Zehri: “Father Christmas is naked, a big media event celebrated with celeb- cooking? When bread is getting more and he has no presents, everything has been rities from Damascus and spiritual digni- more expensive, as do fruits and vegeta- confiscated at the border,” he says, still taries of all religions in a blaze of public- bles, but people have less and less money? laughing. “How are we supposed to have ity, and the Christmas tree turned into the Before the war and the economic crisis, hope in a land without electricity, with- “tree of home”. some people here earned the equivalent out internet, without water, without gas, Thousands of people crowded around of 1,500 US dollars; today they have 35 without bread, without petrol! This year Bassir church, local notables lined up US dollars, or the equivalent of around 2020 has been the worst year, not only for to welcome the guests. The church was 90,000 Syrian pounds. If someone wants us, for the whole world,” he adds and be- decorated with glittering lights, life-size to feed his family of five, what can he buy comes serious. “You must know that there dolls in the various provincial costumes to eat? The simplest meal, felafel with is simply nothing we can do here, in this and a “Message from Syria” to the world. vegetables and bread, costs 500 Syrian situation. Two people from our church “What is a Christmas tree but the marvel- pounds. If the family eats this for break- committed suicide because they were not lous demonstration of the greatest Son of fast, lunch and dinner, that’s 2,500 pounds able to provide their children with food. Syria, our Lord Jesus Christ,” it said. It in- per meal, 7,500 pounds per day. There are Even we, as a church, were not able to vited everyone to remember that Syria is 30 days in a month, so if you calculate 30 continued on page 5 No 1 20 January 2021 Current Concerns Page 5 UN expert Nils Melzer welcomes refusal to extradite Julian Assange UN Special Rap- “I am gravely concerned that the judge- “The judgement fails to recognise that porteur on torture ment confirms the entire, very dangerous Mr. Assange’s deplorable state of health Nils Melzer today rationale underlying the US indictment, is the direct consequence of a decade of (5 January 2021) which effectively amounts to criminaliz- deliberate and systematic violation of his welcomed a Brit- ing national security journalism,” Melz- most fundamental human rights by the ish court’s refusal to er said. Governments of the United States, the extradite Wikileaks The United States has announced it United Kingdom, Sweden and Ecuador,” founder Julian As- will appeal the judgment, but welcomed said Melzer. Nils Melzer sange to the United the judge’s dismissal of all arguments in According to the expert, the failure of (Picture Twitter) States on the basis defence of Assange based on press free- the judgment to denounce and redress the that he would be ex- dom, the public interest in the exposure of persecution and torture of Mr. Assange, posed to “oppressive” conditions of im- government misconduct, the prohibition “leaves fully intact the intended intimidat- prisonment that would almost certainly of political offence extraditions, and the ing effect on journalists and whistleblowers cause him to commit suicide. US failure to provide fair trials to national worldwide who may be tempted to publish “This ruling confirms my own assess- security defendants. secret evidence for war crimes, corruption ment that, in the United States, Mr. As- “This is of great concern because none and other government misconduct.” sange would be exposed to conditions of of these questions will now be reviewed “Mr. Assange must now be immediate- detention, which are widely recognised to by the Appeals Court, as the only issue at ly set free, rehabilitated and compensat- amount to torture or other cruel, inhuman stake will be Mr. Assange’s medical fit- ed for the abuse and arbitrariness he has or degrading treatment or punishment,” ness to withstand US conditions of deten- been exposed to,” said Melzer. “Even with said Melzer. tion,” said Melzer. a pending appeal, his continued isolation Mr. Assange is currently being held in “Should the US provide assurances that in a high security prison is completely un- prolonged solitary confinement at Bel- Mr. Assange will be treated humanely, his necessary and disproportionate. There is marsh Prison in London under a US extra- extradition could potentially be confirmed no justification whatsoever for preventing dition request for espionage and computer on appeal without any meaningful review him from awaiting the final judgment in fraud. “If extradited to the United States, of the very serious legal concerns raised a setting where he can recover his health he faces a sentence of up to 175 years im- by this case.” and live a normal family and profession- prisonment under inhumane conditions of Melzer has repeatedly expressed in in- al life.” near total isolation,” Melzer said. dividual communications and state- “Hopefully this judgement will put an At the same time, the judgement on ments that Mr. Assange has been sub- end to the persecution and imprisonment of Monday sets an alarming precedent effec- jected to more than 10 years of arbitrary Mr. Julian Assange as an individual. But in tively denying investigative journalists the detention and political persecution. Dur- the big picture it sets a devastating prece- protection of press freedom and paving the ing a visit conducted to Belmarsh Prison dent severely undermining press freedom, way for their prosecution under charges of in 2019, Melzer and a specialised medical accountability and the rule of law.” • espionage. In 2010, Mr. Assange published team found that Mr. Assange showed all Source: https://www.ohchr.org/EN/ sensitive military documents relating to the the symptoms typical for prolonged expo- NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. sure to psychological torture. aspx?NewsID=26638&LangID=E of 5 January 2021

”Syria – No future without …” ple from fleeing to Europe, Ghazal says. Promised Land, long before the Muslims. continued from page 4 The churchman is sure that the only thing With the Christians disappearing from that interests is that no more refugees from Iraq and Palestine, they might not leave help them! There is too much of a burden Syria flow into Europe: “But in view of Syria as well. on people.” the hopeless situation in our country and “We Christians were once five per cent Since the beginning of the EU sanc- the economic blockade with which Europe of the Syrian population, which numbered tions against Syria in 2011, the money and the USA are strangling us, many fam- 23 million before the war,” says Father of the Syrian churches has been kept in ilies no longer feel able to keep on living Zehri. “But what do we see when we look Lebanese banks, and was then brought to here and so, they will do anything to get to Aleppo, to Jazeera, where there are al- Syria. With Lebanon in an economic cri- to Belgium or Germany or Sweden. They most no Christians left. Idlib as well and sis and Lebanese banks freezing all pay- take all their money, sell what they can sell here, in the old city of Homs, before the ments, even from accounts in foreign cur- and use the money to send their children war we counted 75,000 Christians, today rency, the Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate, abroad to study and build a better future. there are maybe 5,000 left!” If things con- also in charge of its Um Al Zennar Church Will these young people return later? The tinue like this, if parents send their chil- in the old city of Homs, can no longer pay answer is no. Why should they return to a dren abroad who then will not return, it salaries except in Syrian pounds. Since country without electricity, without heat- will not take 30 years until there are no the beginning of the US sanctions, the so- ing oil, without petrol, and in addition, to Christians left in Syria, he says. Indeed, called Caesar Act, the Syrian pound has a country where they won’t find work be- he adds after a short pause, if there was been losing more and more ground against cause their parents don’t have work any- an agreement between the West and Syria, the dollar, and the money is melting away more neither? Why should they return?” Christians might decide to stay or even re- in the people’ s pockets. The situation is Silence fills the room until someone turn to their homeland. But he suspects no different for the Lebanese. cautiously remarks that it is about the that Europe wouldn’t want that at all: Humanitarian aid distributed to needy motherland, about one’s own roots, about “Your government also wants the Chris- people in Syria by international and UN the origin of the Christians in general, tians, the young, well-educated people, to organisations is only meant to keep peo- who had been shaping Bilad al-Sham, the continued on page 6 No 1 20 January 2021 Current Concerns Page 6

”Syria – No future without …” since the liberation from armed jihadists in 2015, they were among the 260 Chris- continued from page 5 2015. Together with the city council chair- tians who were abducted; the “N” with leave Syria,” he says frankly. It is a politi- man Ibrahim al-Shaer and a dozen curious which the house had been marked can cal decision. people, Saadi is watching the Christmas still be seen on the wall surrounding their tree being erected. “If we are lucky, the house. By negotiations the hostages were “The common people generator of St. George’s Church will give released six months later. In 2019, the sis- are suffering, why?” us electricity on Christmas Eve so we can ters returned to Qaryatayn. Only six of the The situation of Christians in Syria is not light the Christmas tree,” says Saadi, rub- once 1,500 Christians returned to Qary- good. Like all Syrians, they are suffering bing his cold hands. Before the war, there atayn. Most of them were afraid, the sis- from the lack of necessities and immense was always electricity, says al-Shaer. The ters say. People sold their houses, many price increases. In addition, they must ob- houses, churches and monasteries of Maal- left Syria to find a better future in anoth- serve their presence in Syria melt away al- oula would have lit up the whole Christ- er country. That would be out of the ques- most like ice in the sun. Christians have mas night. This year, he says, people did tion for them, the women laugh, they are no weapons to defend their existence in without decorations because there was too at home in Qaryatayn. Syria. Christians only had the word, the little electricity and most of them had no They will spend Christmas watching writing and a pen, says Father Taher Jus- money to spend on Christmas decorations. television. Seeing the colourful decora- sif, who leads the parish of Saint George Because of the severe economic crisis tions in Damascus they could listen to the in Maaloula. In view of the hatred experi- and the rapid decline of the Syrian curren- church service and celebrate with each enced by Christians, monasteries, church- cy, everything is so expensive that many other that they are still alive. And next es and almost all the places invaded by the “have not been able to eat meat for a long year, hopefully and God willing, they “Islamic State”, it is unlikely that Chris- time”, Saadi continues. Even he, as a den- could celebrate Christmas together again tians in Syria will have a future. Added to tist, no longer earns enough to buy every- in Qaryatayn. • this is the silence of the world that has ac- thing his family has been used to or even (Translation Current Concerns) companied this devastation. needs. “People just cannot afford dental Maaloula lies hidden between high treatments anymore,” so he lacks income. cliffs at an altitude of 1,500 metres be- He wonders why Europe has imposed an tween Damascus and Homs and had been economic blockade on Syria, thus also repeatedly attacked, occupied and loot- punishing the neighbouring states of Iraq, ed by armed Islamists between 2013 and Jordan and Lebanon: “If it wasn’t for 2015; the churches were set on fire. The that and if we could use our oil again, we faces on pictures and icons were cut up, could rebuild our country,” Saadi is sure. smashed or otherwise defaced. The dog- “The ordinary people are suffering, old matic Islamic ban on images was the rea- and young, why?” son for the destruction. The persons and saints venerated by Christians in Syria are The Christians of the desert demons of evil for jihadists. The “Christians of the desert” are consid- Jussif, called simply “Abuna Taher” by ered to be particularly rooted, but the war (Picture ma) the people of Maaloula, is a man of ac- has blown them to the winds as well. In tion and does not wait long before start- Tadmur, the small town next to Palmyra, ef. Independent journalist Karin Leuke- feld was born in 1954 in Stuttgart and ing something. By volunteers and resto- there were only a few hundred Christians. has studied ethnology, islamology and ration painters from Maaloula, the final In 2015, with the advance of IS, they fled political sciences. She has been report- renovation works are being completed be- to Homs; no one has returned to this day. ing from the Extended Middle East for fore Christmas; the church is resembling The small church lies destroyed. daily and weekly journals as well as Ger- a large studio. The colourful murals were In the dry, stony soil of Qaryatayn, the man state sponsored radio programmes freshened up, old icons were restored and “Christians of the desert” have planted since the year 2000. She was accredited hung up. The priest wants to keep the vines and fruit trees for decades. Flocks of in Syria in 2010 and has been reporting icons destroyed by the jihadists during the sheep and goats moved across the plains, on the Syria conflict since then. Since the occupation of Maaloula in a museum. No which in the winter months are turned into beginning of the war in 2011 she moves back and forth between Damasucs, Bei- one should forget what happened. green pastures by the rain. 1,500 Chris- rut, other places in the Arab world and The priest only interrupts his work in tians lived in the village of Qaryatayn, her hometown Bonn. She has published the church to have lunch with guests or to which is about 100 km east of Homs. In several books, such as “Syrien zwischen rehearse songs and chorales for the Christ- 2015, the IS took the place, with the sup- Schatten und Licht – Geschichte und Ge- mas service with the children of Maaloula port of Muslims living there. They de- schichten von 1916-2016. Menschen er- which he accompanies on the flute. Christ- stroyed the Deir Mar Elian monastery zählen von ihrem zerrissenen Land” (Syria mas fills him with hope despite all the dif- located in the west of the village. They Between Light and Shadow – History and ficulties, he says. “Christmas means life kidnapped 260 Christian men, women and Stories 1916–2016. People Narrate about and light, then we are really close to Jesus children. Some young women were taken their War-torn Country.) (2016, Rotpunkt Christ.” The Christmas light, the life can all the way to Raqqa. The houses of the edition Zurich); “Flächenbrand Syrien, Irak, die Arabische Welt und der Islam- change people’s way of thinking, he is Christians in Qaryatayn had previously ische Staat” (Surface Fire Syria, Iraq, the convinced. For “Abuna Taher”, Christians been marked by Muslim neighbours with Arab World and the Islamic State.) (2015, in Europe are very far from their reality, an “N”, the initial letter of Naseri, which 3rd edition 2017, PapyRossa edition, Co- the Christian reality in Syria, he says. The means Christians. logne). Her new book will be released only message he wants to send them, he “We were one with the Muslims,” says soon: “Im Auge des Orkans: Syrien, der says, is very simple: “Don’t help us. Pe- a woman who does not want to read her Nahe Osten und die Entstehung einer riod.” name in the newspaper. She and her two neuen Weltordnung” (In the Eye of the This winter, life is particularly hard, sisters were born in Qaryatayn, and all Hurricane: Syria, the Middle East and the says Joseph Saadi. The dentist comes three have worked as teachers in the vil- Rise of a New World Order (2021, Papy- Rossa edition, Cologne). from Maaloula and has also been mayor lage’s primary schools all their lives. In No 1 20 January 2021 Current Concerns Page 7 What will happen if Germany goes “green”? by Karl-Jürgen Müller “All parties fool their voters, but there is no other party that has got “When it comes down to business – rearmament, Russia- such a phenomenal difference be- tween its image and its reality.” bashing, Nord Stream 2 – the Greens are reliable from the Jutta Ditfurth, former chairwoman point of view of the USA, which is terrorising half the world of the party “Die Grünen” (The Greens)1 with sanctions, trade wars, drone wars and bomb wars even 2021 is the year of the next federal elections in the Corona crisis.” (Oskar Lafonaine) in Germany. For the first time since 2005, it is seriously expected that the party “Bünd- er. In an interview with Deutschlandfunk long-standing line of procedure. Just one nis 90/Die Grünen” will form the govern- on 31 December, he complained about the more example: On 2 November 2016, the ment together with other parties repre- Chinese’ lack of compliance with the trea- “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” had sented in the Bundestag, as for quite some ty and the absence of clear, “European” reported on German opposition to Nord time now, this party has been doing every- standards: on sustainability, human rights Stream 2.3 Among those opposed was Re- thing it can to accomplish this end. And it and the ban on forced labour. Bütikofer inhard Bütikofer, who criticised Gerhard is massively supported by the “zeitgeist”. suspects that China’s current concession is Schröder at the time: “Gerhard Schröder After a few political ascents and descents, an attempt to split the EU from the USA is committed to Russian energy exports, this party has achieved high sympathy rat- before Joseph Biden takes office, and coun- which finance Russian war exports.” ings and considerable electoral successes ters that the EU should “first talk to Biden” since the last Bundestag elections; and as to “see where we [EU and USA] can adopt “Role model” Fischer so often before, it is making use of its aura a common policy”. Already with NATO’s war against the of being the environmentalist avant-garde, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in spring promoting peace and fighting for human Bütikofer, Özdemir and Biden 2004: 1999, which violated international law, rights, if now without any radicalism and Together with neo-conservative the image the Green Party had cultivated in an entirely liberal and bourgeois way. Its war-mongers against Russia until then, namely of standing for the pro- prominent representatives have learned to Adopting a “common policy” with pow- tection of the environment and for peace, conduct themselves in a particularly smart erful forces in the USA is not a one-off had been contradicted by reality. Josch- way and not to frighten anyone any more. within the Green Party, certainly not for ka Fischer, at that time German Foreign But who actually bothers about what Ger- Reinhard Bütikofer. Sixteen years ago, on Minister and a very prominent Green, many and Europe will really face, should 28 September 2004, he and his party col- had, at that time still against the resist- the Greens have a significant influence on league Cem Özdemir together with 98 oth- ance of numerous party colleagues, prop- German politics? It is time to take a clos- ers signed an “Open Letter” to the heads agated the war, using an unspeakable Aus- er look at this question. The following arti- of state and government of the European chwitz comparison. Among other things, cle is about the party’s foreign and security Union and the Nato states. This letter was this war was accompanied by massive en- policy programme. intended to counter the rapprochements vironmental damage, not least through of Germany’s own government and “old the NATO use of radioactive weapons After seven years and 34 rounds of nego- Europe” with Russia during and after the systems and the bombing of chemical-in- tiations, the relevant representatives of the Iraq war in 2003. It had been written by dustrial plants. In the following years Fis- European Union and China signed a com- one of the main warmonger groups in the cher, unlike the then chancellor Gerhard prehensive investment agreement called the USA, the neo-conservative “Project for Schröder, never made any critical state- Comprehensive Agreement on Investments the New American Century”2 after the ments about his policies at the time. The (CAI) on 30 December 2020. Top politi- attack on a Russian school in Beslan. It fact that he built up close transatlantic ties cians on both sides agree that this agree- sharply criticised the Russian President in the years that followed, not least with ment is a milestone in bilateral economic Putin (also in office at the time). Unlike the then US Secretary of State Madeleine relations and according to the “Neue Zürch- in the 2001 Afghanistan war, Putin had Albright, fitted in with his war propagan- er Zeitung” of 31 December, it is intended spoken out against the new war waged by da. He has stuck to his line to this day – “primarily to offer EU companies new op- the USA and its “coalition of the willing”, as was again noticeable in an interview portunities in the rapidly growing Chinese which violated international law. The let- with the “Neue Zürcher Zeitung” on 29 market and to ensure fairer competitive con- ter, however, glossed over this war as part December 2020. ditions than before”. China, the newspaper of an attempt to “bring about democratic continues, “will in return receive the assur- change everywhere in the world, includ- Jutta Ditfurth’s view on ance that the EU’s internal market is open ing the greater Middle East”, and claimed: the German Greens’ US relations and is intended to remain so.” “The leaders of the West must realise that Jutta Ditfurth has shown that Bütikofer, their current strategy towards Russia [at Özdemir and Fischer are no exception- Green politician Bütikofer 2020: Coor- that time still partly endeavouring to reach al phenomena in the Green Party in her dinate EU-China policy with Biden an understanding] has failed.” book published almost ten years ago, This is not the place to go into more detail In addition to the two prominent Green “Krieg, Atom, Armut. Was sie reden, about this agreement. It is more interesting politicians, numerous well-known US and was sie tun. Die Grünen – War, Atoms, to note from whom a loud dissenting voice European neoconservatives had signed Poverty. What they talk about, what they was heard: from Member of the Europe- the letter. Joseph Biden, the incoming US do. The Green Party” – especially in the an Parliament Reinhard Bütikofer, who is president, was also among the signatories. chapter “In Stahlgewittern – In storms of a member of the German party Bündnis Bütikofer’s anti-Russian and now also steel”. In an interview with Spiegel online 90/Die Grünen and was formerly its lead- anti-Chinese statements correspond to a continued on page 8 No 1 20 January 2021 Current Concerns Page 8

”What will happen …” atlantic attitudes and connections with a more war operations everywhere in the continued from page 7 long history emerge once more. “The text world. According to the Green politician, on 20 February 2011, she succinctly sum- refers to events already mentioned above Europe ought to “grow up and reorganise marised her research once more: “Spiegel and then reports on a conference hosted by the division of labour in the transatlantic online: You say the Greens have turned the US Center for European Policy Anal- alliance”, ought to “optimise its military from a pacifist to a war party. You even ysis in early October 2014. The topic of capabilities”. Of course, there are always accuse the federal leader Cem Özdemir this conference was “Reviving Atlanti- reservations about military missions, also of ‘walking on the US leash’. Ditfurth: cism in Central Europe: Threats and Op- because of Germany’s history, and it is In 2002, Özdemir disappeared from the portunities.” One of the keynote speakers true that they should be raised. However, German public eye for a while, after the was Victoria Nuland, co-responsible for the Greens must “also face up to difficult bonus mile affair and the scandal about the coup in Ukraine in February 2014 and questions about war and peace”. For ex- a private loan […]. He was in the USA, wife of neo-conservative Robert Kagan. ample, “How do we ensure that it is we sponsored by the German Marshall Fund, From Germany, only two people were who dominate the spiral of escalation and and did some kind of additional training. invited: the Green politician Marieluise not Putin, Erdogan or Xi Jinping?” Then followed his steep political rise – Beck, married to the co-chair of the Hein- In the new party programme, we find and suddenly he is sitting on all kinds of rich Böll Foundation Ralf Fücks, and their the significant statement: “Direct [mil- committees that always have something daughter Charlotte Beck, who shortly af- itary] operations [of the Bundeswehr] to do with how Europe and Germany re- terwards became programme director for within the framework of the United Na- late to the USA. In October 2010, WikiLe- foreign and security policy at the Wash- tions have [...] priority over crisis opera- aks published around 400,000 secret doc- ington office of the Green Foundation. tions of the EU and NATO. So it is only uments on the Iraq war. Cem Özdemir Also interesting are the references in the “priority” now. This has little connection found that ethically questionable.” Then text to the ideological origins of the Greens, to international law and the UN Charter. she added her personal experience: “I my- who are courted by US neo-conservatives: The chairperson of Bündnis 90/Die self have experienced the influence of the they do not come from the environmental Grünen, Annalena Baerbock, continued US government on local politicians: When movement, but were once avowed Trot- this line around the party conference at the I was the federal chairperson of the Green skyists or Maoists. In 1983, for example, end of November 2020, so that the Ber- Party, the US State Department wanted Marieluise Beck still described herself as lin daily “Der Tagesspiegel” wrote on 1 to contact me. I said I was not interested. a “Trotskyist sympathiser”. Many prom- December 2020: “The Greens are mak- But they tried anyway during my lecture inent US neo-conservatives also have a ing themselves fit for government. High- tour through the USA in 1987. At George- Trotskyist background. Incidentally, the al- er spending on the Bundeswehr or combat town University in Washington, I sudden- ready mentioned Reinhard Bütikofer writes missions with France – Green Party leader ly found myself standing in front of an in- on his own internet site about his student Baerbock is ready to talk about it. There is vited audience – including lots of uniform days: “He joined the Communist University much praise from the CDU.” wearers and CIA employees. We argued Group (KHG), later the Communist League loudly - a former city commander of Ber- of West Germany (KBW).” Oskar Lafontaine: “When it comes lin yelled out: ‘If we had wished so, the down to business, the Greens are relia- Greens would never have existed!’” The German Greens in the year of the ble from the point of view of the USA” federal elections: fully NATO-compatible Oskar Lafontaine, former SPD leader and Few other analyses so far On 26 September 2021, the next Bunde- now prominent, but reclusive, in the Die Jutta Ditfurth has remained pretty much stag will be elected in Germany. Almost Linke party, commented on the develop- alone with her presentation of these mat- all the top politicians of the “Bündnis 90/ ment of the Greens as early as 29 April ters. Yet a few exceptions should be point- Die Grünen” party have now embraced 2020: “When it comes down to business ed out here. On 17 July 2011, a few months transatlantic ties and made the party not – rearmament, Russia-bashing, Nord after the publication of Ms Ditfurth’s only fully EU-compatible, but also NATO- Stream 2 – the Greens are reliable from book, David Noack published a chart compatible. The latest pieces in the mo- the point of view of the USA, which is showing a transatlantic network in which saic so far are the new party manifesto terrorising half the world with sanctions, Green politicians are involved. Eight years adopted at the end of November 2020 and trade wars, drone wars and bomb wars later, on 21 June 2019, this illustration was the statements of top Green politicians even in the corona crisis.”7 subjected to a “fact check”.4 The conclu- during and around the perfectly organ- Do all German Greens voters know and sion: “A chart apparently shows transat- ised digital party convention. approve of all this? • lantic relations of prominent Green poli- The party leaders largely followed a ticians. It is currently being re-circulated policy paper of 16 April 2020 drafted by 1 “Grünen-Wähler wollen getäuscht werden. ” on Facebook, but dates from 2011. Most their member of the Bundestag Franzis- (Green voters want to be deceived), Spiegel online of the claims are true, but some informa- ka Brantner.6 Her line of argument was in conversation with Jutta Ditfurth, 20 February tion is wrong or out of date.” (Emphasis as follows: The world is in great disorder. 2011; https://www.spiegel.de/kultur/gesellschaft/ by the author) Authoritarian states lusting for conquest alt-linke-jutta-ditfurth-gruenen-waehler-wollenge- taeuscht-werden-a-745943.html Also interesting is a text from 2 March like Russia and China are trying with all 2 https://web.archive.org/web/20121015185232/ 2015 by Robert Zion, at that time him- their might to fill the power-political vacu- http://newamericancentury.org/russia-20040928. self a member of Bündnis 90/Die Grünen um. What the USA will do is uncertain (in htm 3 https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/nord- and at the same time active in the German April it was not yet clear whether Donald stream-2-widerstand-gegen-putins-pipeline- Peace Society. It is entitled: “Die Grünen: Trump would remain US president). Even waechst-14507991.html Parteiferne Anstiftung – The Greens: in- so the Greens see themselves “closely 4 https://correctiv.org/faktencheck/poli- 5 tik/2019/06/21/diese-grafik-ueber-die-gruenen- citement without affiliation.” In its in- linked to the USA in terms of values and stimmt-groesstenteils-ist-aber-veraltet/ troduction it says: “In the Ukraine cri- defence policy” (!). EU-Europe and Ger- 5 https://www.heise.de/tp/features/Die-Gruenen- sis, a good part of the external image of many as a part of this, would have to as- Parteiferne-Anstiftung-3370415.html the Greens is shaped by parts of the Hein- sume “more responsibility” in the whole 6 https://www.franziska-brantner.de/2020/04/16/ gruene-vernetzte-aussenpolitik-fuer-eine-welt-in- rich Böll Foundation, which is close to the world, which means also being ready for unordnung/ party. In the process, very specific trans- more military efforts, if necessary for 7 https://www.nachdenkseiten.de/?p=60571 No 1 20 January 2021 Current Concerns Page 9 “Now is the moment to stick together” New Year’s address by the President of the Confederation Guy Parmelin Dear fellow citi- You will understand: at the beginning tion guarantees access to compromise. It zens in Switzerland of this new year, I do not want to express paves the way for the peaceful resolution and abroad! myself too enthusiastically. Much is un- of conflicts. Education is basically the key We have a dark certain and the situation remains precar- to the cohesion of our country. year behind us. The ious. Nevertheless, I would like to offer We Swiss must stand together. Only in health crisis has you my best wishes from the bottom of this way can we, as a country, stand up for hit us hard. Many my heart. I think especially of those who the interests of all of us: for our health and families have lost are lonely or ill. I think of those who suf- economic well-being, for peace and soli- someone close to fer from the loss of a close acquaintance. darity, for freedom and independence, – Guy Parmelin them. Many were And I think of all those who are worried in short, for everything we have held dear (Picture not able to say by the unfamiliarity of everyday life. I for a long time. wikimedia.org) goodbye to him or would like to assure you again today that On this 1 January, we turn a new page her as they would have wished. For them, the Federal Council supports you as best it in the book of our history. Admittedly, this the past year will be forever linked to this can and is looking for solutions for today will not improve the current situation in painful loss. The staff in hospitals and and tomorrow. one fell swoop. But we must not be al- nursing homes came to the edge of their Personally, I feel something like con- lowed in give up. I call on you to bear our strength and still are today. Others were fidence and optimism despite everything. fate as a community. Now is the moment not allowed to work at all for a long time, I am not saying this because it sounds to stick together – despite the caution that were on short-time work or even lost their good, but out of conviction: Our country is still necessary in being together. Only jobs. Traditional companies have disap- has done many things right in the past. if we stand together will we, as the Swiss peared. Our education system was also We have brought numerous inventions to people, one day be able to celebrate com- put to the test. In short: the pandemic has the market. For everyone, “Swiss made” mon successes again. turned all our lives upside down. is the epitome of quality and reliability. It is really important to me that we are Rarely have we experienced any- This is also reflected in the fact that 28 a united Switzerland, united in our diver- thing comparable: our activities came to Nobel Prize winners come from Switzer- sity: urban and rural, old and young, afflu- a standstill. The whole of society was in land. ent and less affluent. unprecedented isolation. We had to learn Switzerland is moving forward and will In this hope, I wish everyone: Buon to get along without shaking hands. This continue to do so in the future. I am con- ann. Bonne année. Bun Onn. Es guets important greeting ritual suddenly endan- vinced that our good education system Nöis. • gered our health. All this was and is all the helps us to do so. Education is our uni- more difficult for us because – as Aristotle versal language. It is a prerequisite for Source: https://www.admin.ch/gov/de/start/doku- already said – we humans “are by nature dialogue and exchange. In a time of ex- mentation/reden/neujahrsansprachen/2021.html sociable beings.” tremely unstable power relations, educa- (Translation Current Concerns)

Dual vocational education as an essential component of the Swiss model On the book “Vocational education. Development of the Swiss system” by Emil Wettstein by Dr jur. Marianne Wüthrich In the year just ended, there were also in Switzerland young people who com- plained about the “restriction” of their “In order to keep up, trade and industry in resource-poor freedom because discos and bars were and landlocked Switzerland, relied on the high quality of temporarily closed and neither open airs nor football matches open to the public their products from an early stage. Then, as now, this re- took place. In reality, Swiss youth are quired vocational education that could build on solid basics privileged like perhaps no one else in the world. How happy many young people in in at least reading, writing and arithmetic. The prerequisite other countries would be if they were al- lowed to do an apprenticeship and con- for this is a good Volksschule.” tribute to the alimentation of their fam- ilies with their apprenticeship wages! (Most Swiss apprentices have the major over thirty years ago, how vocational ed- terested people from other countries who part of their wages as pocket money). ucation and training has developed in the want to learn about the Swiss system. Ac- In 2020, Emil Wettstein, for many years history of Switzerland.1 “How was Swit- cording to the editor of the book in his head of the ABB technical school and later zerland able to develop a dual vocational foreword, these questions can only be an- head of the higher education unit for voca- education model? Why are Swiss entrepre- swered by looking back into Swiss histo- tional school teachers at the University of neurs willing to make such a strong com- ry. It should be added that the history of Zurich, presents in an easy-to-understand mitment to vocational education for young Swiss vocational education is interwoven way in a new version of his work published people?” Such questions are asked by in- continued on page 10 No 1 20 January 2021 Current Concerns Page 10

”Dual vocational education …” all large private and state-owned compa- dle Ages (in Switzerland, mainly in continued from page 9 nies in Switzerland educate and train ap- German-speaking cities, but also, for with the development of democracy; the prentices, as do the administrations of the example, among watchmakers in the way vocational education is implemented municipalities, cantons and the federal French-speaking Jura). The guilds were here is part of the Swiss model. This does government. Over fifty professions can be professional associations and at the same not mean that good vocational education learned at the federal government alone! time social communities, which in par- cannot be introduced in other countries. (https://www.stelle.admin.ch/stelle/de/ ticular regulated and ensured the educa- However, it is advisable to spend time and home/einstiegsmoeglichkeiten/schueler. tion of the next generation. At that time, care in its constitution. html) the entire education took place under the Even in the Corona year 2020, almost guidance of a master, who passed on his The apprenticeship is very popular among everyone who wanted to start an appren- craftsmanship and professional knowl- young people in Switzerland. Two-thirds ticeship in August found a job because edge, but also the social skills that were of school leavers opt for an apprentice- the entrepreneurs did everything humanly consolidated while living together in the ship, and in some German-speaking can- possible to offer enough apprenticeships. household of the master and his family tons the figure is over 80 percent. Basic The fact that it is a matter of course and later enabled participation in urban vocational education is completed after for Swiss entrepreneurs today to intro- society as a professional and citizen three or four years with a Federal Voca- duce young people to working life, to (Wettstein, pp. 57–59). tional Education and Training Diploma share their professional knowledge and The guilds did not survive the 19th cen- (Eidgenössisches Fähigkeitszeugnis, EFZ) to show them the way to become capable, tury – i. e. the legal equality of the popula- or after two years with a Federal Voca- social and reliable adults does not come tion in town and country introduced with tional Certificate (Eidgenössisches Beruf- automatically. It is based on a long tradi- the Helvetic system, the freedom of trade sattest, EBA). If the young professionals tion and is also rooted in the Swiss mili- and commerce and the emerging industri- want to continue their education, there are tia model. Every young person is of im- alization. Nevertheless, the guild system a number of options after the apprentice- portance to the whole by taking his or her laid the foundations for good vocational ship. However, many of them want to stay place in professional life and as a citizen education, which could be taken up again with their profession and, thanks to their in the community, participating in his or in the 19th and 20th century in a contem- professional and human qualities, often her environment and exercising his or her porary form. become the top executives who give Swit- political rights responsibly. For its part, zerland its good reputation as a business the apprenticing company has in the ed- Good school basics as a location. ucated apprentices reliable professionals prerequisite for vocational who know how the business runs and who education and Swiss quality products Almost every Swiss enterprise are well integrated into the team. In the 19th century, many craftsmen is an apprenticing enterprise struggled for their existence. In addi- What is special about dual vocational edu- The beginnings of continued on page 11 cation is the little word “dual”. Education vocational education in the guilds takes place in two places: in the apprentic- The book “Vocational Education” by ing company (usually three days a week) Emil Wettstein begins with the histor- Current Concerns and in a vocational school (usually a state ical roots of vocational apprenticeship The international journal for independent school, two days a week). There is the pos- in the guild system. Where a differen- thought, ethical standards, moral responsibility, and for the promotion and respect sibility to do an apprenticeship for almost tiated vocational education system later of public international law, human rights every occupation; about 230 occupations developed in Europe, crafts had often and humanitarian law are available. Almost all SMEs, but also been organised in guilds since the Mid- Publisher: Zeit-Fragen Cooperative Editor: Erika Vögel, Eva-Maria Föllmer-Müller Address: Current Concerns, Vocational Education: P.O. Box, CH-8044 Zurich A step-stone to the working world Phone: +41 (0)44 350 65 50 Projects of the Directorate Fax: +41 (0)44 350 65 51 for Development and Cooperation (SDC) E-Mail: [email protected] Subscription details: mw. The employees of SDC report on stalled its first oven and we were in- published regularly electronically as PDF file the Swiss experience with the dual vo- vited for training.” Annual subscription rate of cational education and training in many – from Ruanda: “Mediatrice Nyirahabi- SFr. 40,-, € 30,-, £ 25,-, $ 40,- projects around the world. mana, hairdresser: “One month after for the following countries: “High quality vocational education the training, I am able to provide my Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, and training can make a decisive contri- basic needs. I believe in a very good Cyprus, , Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, bution in reducing poverty if it enables Greece, Hongkong, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, future.” Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Nether- those who are learning with long-term – from Burkina Faso: Kader Kouanda, lands, New Zealand, Norway, Qatar, Singapore, and dignified working conditions and as tailor: “Now I know how to read, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab ­Emirates, such they can get a foothold into the la- take my clients’ measurements and United Kingdom, USA bour market. Economic growth remains talk to them. I’m pleased with the Annual subscription rate of in the foreground for the benefit of all. evening classes.” SFr. 20,-, € 15,-, £ 12,50, $ 20,- In cooperation with the authorities and for all other countries. the private sector, SDC developed train- and many more … Account: Postscheck-Konto: PC 87-644472-4 ing courses which meet the needs of the The editors reserve the right to shorten letters to labour market.” https://www.eda.admin.ch/deza/en/ the editor. Letters to the editor do not necessarily Reports on experience home/themes-sdc/basic-education-vo- reflect the views and opinions of Current Concerns. cational-training/formation-profession- © 2021. All rights reserved. No reproduction, copy or – from Bolivia: Dona Silvia, baker: “I nelle--developper-de-nouvelles-compe- transmission of this publication may be made without written was saved when the community in- tences-/temoignages.html permission. No 1 20 January 2021 Current Concerns Page 11

”Dual vocational education …” In addition to the commercial profes- Permeability of the Swiss vocational continued from page 10 sions, other professions had developed education and training model – tion to the industrial production of tex- separately: the agricultural apprentice- from apprenticeship to university tiles and other goods, increasing compe- ship (Wettstein, pp. 103ff.); the com- The new education articles, which the sov- tition from abroad made life difficult for mercial apprenticeship – the “KV”: the ereign inserted into the Federal Constitu- them. In order to keep up, trade and in- schools still belong to the commercial tion in 2006, did not lead to better school- dustry in resource-poor and landlocked associations KV in many cantons, but ing for all – as many had hoped – but were Switzerland, relied on the high quality of are financed by the cantons (pp. 94ff. ); used as a springboard for questionable up- their products from an early stage. Then, the non-medical health professions – the heavals (HarmoS, Lehrplan 21). As far as as now, this required vocational education nurses’ schools were for a long time run vocational education is concerned, the that could build on solid basics in at least by Catholic or Reformed organizations, Confederation retained the competence reading, writing and arithmetic. The pre- in 1899 the Swiss Red Cross founded the to legislate and newly stipulated: “It [the requisite for this is a good Volksschule2. first Red Cross nurses’ school, later the Confederation] shall promote a broad and From the 1830s onwards, the cantons in- Confederation delegated the enforcement permeable offer in the field of vocation- troduced the compulsory primary school, of legislation in this field to the SRC (pp. al education and training” (Art. 63 BV). which was not only intended to enable 118ff.). This permeable offer looks briefly like pupils to learn a profession. The school The BBG of 1933 took up the vocation- this: Since 1994, there has been the voca- law of the canton of Zurich of 1832 e. g. al training model of the guilds. As early as tional baccalaureate for those apprentices stated that the purpose of the school was 1895, the Swiss Trades Association (SGV) who like to put in more learning time - “to educate the children of all classes of had decided not to go down the path of whether at the same time as their appren- people according to consistent principles apprenticeship workshops with associated ticeship or afterwards. In 2019, around to become intellectually active, civical- specialised instruction, but to stick to the 68,000 young people completed a voca- ly suitable and morally religious people.” master apprenticeship. This was an impor- tional apprenticeship, and over 14,000 ac- (Wettstein, p. 60). tant and appropriate decision for the fur- quired a vocational baccalaureate (BM).3 As early as the first half of the 19th cen- ther development of vocational education With a BM for commercial, technical, tury it was realised that after the mostly and training - after all, it is human nature health/social, creative/artistic, agricultural six-year primary schools, further educa- that young people can learn and grow best or service professions, the path to the cor- tional opportunities were needed in addi- in a direct relationship with an older, ex- responding university of applied sciences tion to the grammar schools. For this rea- perienced professional or master teacher - is open. Since 2005, people with a voca- son, many cantons established advanced this is just as true in the enterprise as it is tional baccalaureate have also been able to training or “repetition schools”, in some at school. enter university or the ETH via a one-year cases also craft or drawing schools, which The 1933 law already contained the additional training course with a supple- were attended outside working hours in most important elements of today’s vo- mentary examination (the so-called Pas- the evening or at weekends (Wettstein, cational training. It regulated the basic serelle). Just under 1200 passed the Pas- p. 62). training in a vocational apprenticeship serelle in 2018 (Wettstein, p. 168ff.). Even after the founding of the federal (enterprise and trade school) with final As Emil Wettstein notes, the introduc- state in 1848, the school system remained apprenticeship examination and certifi- tion of the vocational baccalaureate “has in the hands of the cantons (in principle cate of proficiency, but also the training made a significant contribution to increas- until today). The revised Federal Consti- of master teacher. The technical schools ing the attractiveness of the vocational tution of 1874 stipulated in Article 27 that and apprenticeship workshops, which pathway” (Wettstein, p. 172). Some high- the cantons had to ensure “sufficient pri- were especially widespread in French- achieving students would rather do an ap- mary education” in compulsory and free speaking Switzerland, were included. prenticeship than go to high school if they state schools. Implementation was left to The apprenticeship contract was and is can combine it with a BM. But, as educa- the cantons, and vocational education also regulated as a special form of employ- tion editor Robin Schwarzenbach writes in continued to be regulated by the cantons. ment contract in the Code of Obligations the “Neue Zürcher Zeitung”: “Those who The Confederation has been promoting (OR). want, can – but no one has to strive for commercial, industrial and agricultural “The basis for the subsequent success further diplomas. Young people in partic- vocational education with subsidies since of the law,” writes Emil Wettstein, “is the ular don’t have to – indeed, they can’t – 1884. At the turn of the century, most can- involvement of the cantons and profes- know today where they will be in their pro- tons enacted laws on apprenticeship, and sional associations in the design of the fessional lives in five or ten years’ time. some stipulated the attendance at the vo- regulations, their further development They should be allowed to take one step cational school and taking a final appren- and their enforcement” (Wettstein, p. 70). at a time. At their own pace, according to ticeship examination. (Wettstein, pp. 65– Among other things, the professional as- their own inclinations and interests.”4 69). sociations help determine the content of the training regulations in the individu- Matura for all – is that fairer? Professional education and training al professions and administer the practi- Sometimes we hear that a fair educa- as a joint effort of the Confederation, cal final apprenticeship examinations. The tion system should make it possible for cantons, training companies and cantons are responsible for the implemen- all young people to take the Matura. This professional associations tation of the BBG, they run the vocational demand aims past reality. On the one The first Federal Vocational and Pro- schools and supervise the training enter- hand, many bright young people would fessional Education and Training Act prises. Legislation is the responsibility of rather do an apprenticeship than spend (VPETA) was passed by the Federal As- the Confederation. the whole week at school. On the other sembly in 1930 after lengthy preparatory Some things have been adapted and hand, such “fairness thinking” in no way work and consultations with the cantons further developed in subsequent decades does justice to the inestimable advantag- and employee and employer associations, to reflect changes in the world of work. es of Switzerland’s dual VET system: for and came into force on 1 June 1933. It ap- But the basic principles and the coopera- the lives of individual young people (and plied to the commercial, industrial and tion model remained, because they proved this does not just mean their professional trade professions. to be practical. continued on page 12 No 1 20 January 2021 Current Concerns Page 12

”Dual vocational education …” tional apprenticeship offers most of our reality to the cantonal and federal offic- continued from page 11 young people to mature and take their es, because the vocational schools main- future!), for the high quality of the work- place in life in the important phase be- tain contact with the apprenticeship mas- place, for the extraordinarily low youth tween 15 and 20! ters, and because the specialist teachers unemployment (2–4 %) and for a vibrant This is by no means to say that the themselves usually learned the profession democracy. “Gymi” cannot also be a good choice. I, the apprentices of which they teach today The education reform of 2006 stipu- at least , have (mostly) enjoyed the in- – for all these reasons, the learning theo- lates: The Confederation and the cantons tensive learning in the classroom and at ries and the subject teaching in the voca- “shall, in the performance of their tasks, home. It is equally clear that it is one of tional school do not drift away from eve- endeavour to ensure that general and vo- the tasks of us vocational school teachers ryday vocational life. cational education and training receive to do our utmost to support every young Unfortunately, the exception to this re- equal recognition in society” (Art. 61a person who would like to pursue further ality-based approach is the general edu- para.3 BV). education after the apprenticeship, per- cation teaching (ABU). When I start- However, this “equal recognition” is haps the vocational baccalaureate and a ed as a vocational school teacher in the not achieved by packing vocational ap- degree. 1980s, we had our three weekly lessons prenticeships together with secondary for the subjects German, business stud- schools into the new box “upper second- Optimal adaptability of the ies and political and economic studies. ary level”. Rather, it must take place in our apprenticeship to the requirements There was one curriculum for the entire minds. of the time – exception ABU German-speaking Switzerland with uni- One of my first profound experienc- Much has changed in the world of work form learning objectives and a uniform es as a vocational school teacher were since the first Federal Vocational and Pro- apprenticeship-leave exam (LAP) with a the essays that my electrician, machine fessional Education and Training Act of demanding level, in all German-speaking mechanic and mechapraktiker classes 1933. Swiss VET has managed to adapt Swiss vocational schools on the same day (today the professions are called differ- to this change: Occupations have been at the same time. ently) wrote after the first months of their renamed or newly created, occupation- In the nineties, school reformers used apprenticeship on the topic “From school al regulations and school-based learn- the ABU as an experimental field for to working life”. The way the 15- and ing content have been revised. “This is by their ideologies which we are also grap- 16-year-olds vividly described the enor- no means a matter of course,” says Emil pling with today in Volkschule: The mous change from the cosy life of a high Wettstein. “In many countries, education school subjects were abolished and re- school student to a strict and fully com- has become disconnected from the needs placed by a mishmash called “general mitted working day, and how they coped of the world of work, leading to labour education”. The learning objectives were with it within a few months, how they (al- market mismatches and thus youth unem- “enriched” with “action, factual, self and most without exception) expressed their ployment” (Wettstein, p. 216). social competences”, there was only one joy in their profession, in creating inde- The secret of the adaptability of Swiss framework curriculum, each school fab- pendently, their pride in the first work- vocational education and training is quite ricated its own school curriculum and its pieces they produced themselves and, of simple: Because vocational education and own LAP according to the motto: “He course, also in their first payday, shook training comes from practice and because who teaches, tests.” This led to a massive the rest of my academic pride to the core. the professional associations and the train- What a unique opportunity the dual voca- ing companies bring the requirements of continued on page 13

The Swiss education system (Graphic phzh.ch)

(Picture Umweltbundesamt.de) No 1 20 January 2021 Current Concerns Page 13

“And then tomorrow it will be another human being who is so afflicted” Very many thanks for the courageous quite despicable, what is being done to Mr lessly. We shouldn’t fool ourselves, the while necessary reporting on Julian As- Assange – and what is alarming to me is US still have full power to do what they sange! The investigative journalist is fac- that the UN and its voice is no longer re- want, as Daniele Ganser’s books (unfor- ing so many obstacles from the British spected, indeed, no longer heard. tunately) confirm, but slowly, slowly, the judiciary, but also from Sweden, which If we don’t put a stop to it, the UN will world’s attitude is changing, and many seems to have forgotten the Scandinavi- soon be mocked ... And tomorrow it will people are recognising Mr. Assange’s an pacifist tradition of Olaf Palme and be another human being with humanity, merits for the truth. Actually, the human Dag Hamerskjöld, while he is subjected the next one to be plagued like this, who right to peace should be accompanied by to such torture in a security prison in the will be placed in solitary confinement, and a human right to the truth – a glimmer UK, in solitary confinement, that it is re- then we will have no legal recourse and no of hope are the private advertisements in ally hard to believe. legal means at all against it! Resist the be- some newspapers demanding Assange’s One might very well hope that there is ginnings! release. still a corner left in the British legal sys- Mr. Assange’s legal case is a prec- tem for the humanity that Mr Assange edent, and I don’t know what else can Susanne Wiesinger, has championed. It is simply quite unjust, be done, if the UN has to watch help- Freiburg i.B., Germany

Every generation has its own tasks to solve Why are we complaining about the Coro- to find a way how to deal with the changes ryone, should follow the AHA rules. And na crisis and the necessary restrictions it in a meaningful manner. If mankind had reduce contacts. imposes on us? Doesn’t every generation not managed this for thousands of years, Last but not least, today’s situation of- have its tasks rooted in the present? Tasks sometimes better and sometimes worse, fers – or demands – the possibility for implicate school, work, securing of exist- no human being was still alive. During young and older, parents and children, for ence, ageing, health changes, environmen- the Second World War, when the threat all of us, to get to know each other better tal changes, world politics and ... was imminent and the hunger was great, and maybe in a new way. If we come to- Each of these areas require that we the problem had to be tackled by every- gether in a human manner, this will not learn to deal with them. Complaining one, although it was uncomfortable. Even harm us, but everyone and humankind it- things are the way they are is for some in- today there is need for courageous activi- self will benefit from it. stance acceptable for a certain time (to de- ty in order to combat the threat of Corona fine the situation), but in the end we have in solidarity. Both, young and older, eve- Lutz Geisen, Trimmis, Switzerland

”Dual vocational education …” cation and training as one of the pillars lack the willingness to work hard as well continued from page 12 of the economy and the cohesion of so- as a frustration tolerance. We have to do reduction in the learning material and the ciety. something about this – better today than examination level. In addition, a lot of In any case, we don’t need to worry tomorrow. • common learning time is lost in gener- about the Swiss economy just because al education classes for the “Vertiefung- of a little thunder from Brussels. Against sarbeit (VA)”, which every student has such behaviour, our clever people in the 1 Wettstein, Emil. Berufsbildung. Entwicklung des to write and present “self-organised” as Federal Council and in the administration Schweizer Systems. (Vocational education. Devel- opment of the Swiss system). © 2020 hep Verlag part of the final examination. Fortunate- pull out of their pockets their plan B. Our Bern. ISBN 978-3-0355-1675-3 ly, the reformers’ ideas were thoroughly entrepreneurs are flexible and innovative 2 Volksschule is equivalent to a combined primary rebuffed by the specialist teachers and in- anyway. But if our companies want to and lower secondary education. 3 Swiss Federal Statistical Office, Bildungsab- dustry associations. continue to deliver top quality, they do schlüsse Berufliche Grundbildung/Allgemeinbil- need top skilled workers. For quite some dende Ausbildungen (Educational attainment in Caring for the business location time now, many apprenticeship masters basic vocational education and training/general ed- Emil Wettstein’s history of Swiss voca- have been complaining that their appren- ucation and training). 4 Schwarzenbach, Robin. “An apprenticeship is just tional education and training shows the tices bring along from the Volksschule the beginning”. in: Neue Zürcher Zeitung. Educa- great importance of dual vocational edu- sufficient school basics. Also, they often tion supplement from 25 November 2020 No 1 20 January 2021 Current Concerns Page 14 “Reading books is necessary …” by Dr Eliane Perret, special education (remedial) and psychologist “… Stupidity shall not kill you.” This is how a poem – which is found on many in- ternet sites – begins, which is intended to show children the importance of reading books. Even if the rest of the poem is a matter of taste, it nevertheless points to the importance of reading for the indi- vidual and for society as a whole. – Five hundred years ago since the invention of printing made reading, and with-it edu- cation, accessible to wider circles of the population. Until then, books and docu- ments were copied by hand. In Europe, this was mostly done in the scriptoria of monasteries, where monks and nuns took on this demanding task and created handcrafted gems. So, how important are books and what is their significance for reading today? “When will you read to us today?” It is just before lunch. The students in a Pupils reading. (Picture Caro) middle school class sit quietly at their desks and listen intensely while the teach- er reads to them. “Do you speak choco- late?” is the promising title.1 While the and different forms of language are in- teen minutes each. However, we did not same children often find it difficult to con- ternalised. They expand their range of ex- want to have each pupil read a book of centrate, they are now very attentive. The pressing themselves and communicating their own choice but created our own var- story of a friendship that is burdened with with their fellow human beings. By read- iation and read a book to them class by some stumbling blocks, but also looks at ing aloud and looking at books, children class. Once a day, a pupil walked through current world events, captivates them. Be- improve their stamina, become more cre- the school building with the triangle at an haviours are described and exemplified ative and improve their memory and abil- unexpected moment and announced that which they can identify with, which they ity to concentrate. Especially at this age, everything should now be put aside. The want to make their own and from which children are also very receptive to little reading time began; it became quiet in the they can orient themselves. Reading aloud poems and rhymes that help them dis- school building. leads the class into a shared world. It is cover the rhythm of language. The books The response from the pupils was not only intellectual, but also social or by Susanne Meier-Stöcklin are a treasure positive and after that in several class- emotional experiences that connect them trove for this.2 When looking at a book es, reading aloud was integrated into the henceforth. So, it is comprehensible that together, a child receives many learning schedule. they don’t want the daily reading to be impulses that no TV programmes, tablet cancelled. games and smartphone apps can provide. Why not in the family too? In this way, children develop a positive Schedule reading aloud into the daily Reading aloud? With older emotional relationship with books at an family routine, even for older children? Children or even teenagers? early age, which usually lasts a lifetime. One mother told me that for years it has Let’s start with the younger children. This is the best foundation for a good ed- been a ritual for them to lounge on the Fortunately, for many parents and grand- ucation. sofa with her two sons, who are now parents, looking at picture books and Unfortunately, many parents stop read- pre-adolescents. One on her left, the reading stories together with their chil- ing aloud when a child can read by him- other on her right, to read a book togeth- dren and grandchildren is still part of the self. While this is also important and to er (and sometimes fall asleep comforta- routine today. Through this they begin to be supported, it in no way replaces read- bly). I was amazed, as I knew from her discover the world together providing a ing aloud. Older children also appreciate son that he was not very fluent in read- situation to ask all their questions. Giv- it when you read a book together and trade ing. On the other hand, I had already no- ing undivided attention, goodwill and se- at reading aloud to each other. ticed that he had a good vocabulary and curity in cosy surroundings and diving could grasp and understand the meaning into a story together awakens curiosity How do I “get” my child to read? of what he read very well, both intellectu- and strengthens the feeling of emotion- In conversations with parents, reading is ally and emotionally. A skill he had cer- al connection. always a topic. They wish their children tainly acquired in his family reading ses- But that’s not all! Studies show that would read more. Digital media takes up sions. This would not have been possible two-year-old children who look at picture too much time for some of them. How- solely through everyday conversation. books and reading aloud together regu- ever, the opportunity to entice them to larly speak twice as many words as chil- read is still there. We tried it out in our Big and small dren of the same age who do not have school with children of all ages. Inspired In another reading project, we formed this opportunity. Their vocabulary is ex- by another school, we started the project daily reading partnerships between older panded and the formation of sentences 15x15.3 Fifteen days of reading for fif- continued on page 15 No 1 20 January 2021 Current Concerns Page 15

”‘Reading books is necessary …’” continued from page 14 “Reading opens up the possibility of understanding larger and younger students for a fortnight. It contexts that determine social life. It lays the foundations was not difficult to get the older students to look at a picture book, read a story for free thinking and decision-making. This is the path to or read a book together with the young- becoming a responsible citizen and thus the basis of every er children. The reading partners were carefully paired. For example, a shy older democracy.” pupil took on the task of getting to know the letters with a little girl with learning difficulties. We were amazed at how pa- tiently and unerringly she took on this with them. We empathise with them and take Olga Meyer’s idea, whose books for task. A pupil who usually caused a lot of experience what it means to be desper- children and young people have helped to trouble in his class had no trouble keep- ate or happy. We enter strange worlds shape generations. According to Meyer: ing his little whirlwind, who often pro- and experience things that were previ- “The world with its highly developed voked him, in line. From then on, when ously closed to us in our lives, or we can technology, in which the child is placed they met in the school building, it was identify and make the experience of not today, can certainly arouse his interest, normal for them to greet each other in a being alone with our experiences and but never warm his heart, give him the friendly manner. Wouldn’t this also be a feelings. Reading includes the possibil- security he needs for his inner develop- good idea to implement this in the fam- ity to get a first insight into foreign cul- ment.”6 And for this we must give our ily setting? tures and countries, which is often more children the opportunity: To love read- authentic than today’s commercial tour- ing; a precious tool that will accompany What does your “hero” look like? ism offers. For example, the students who them on their way. This is how we grow Of course, high-quality films also have listen to Cas Lester’s book being read to people, who our society and every other their justification and include ways to them learn about the situation of refugees society desperately needs. This requires appeal to the viewer and to address him from Syria. Mehrnousch Zaeri-Esfaha- more than digital reading programmes in terms of content and emotion. (I al- ni4 tells them how she came from Iran to that test the appropriate skills with the ways have a packet of tissues with me at Germany on arduous paths and found a hollow promise that this will optimise the cinema!) Reading aloud and reading new home. Judith Hohnhold, with a sim- career opportunities. a book, however, requires a high level of plified version of Karl Bruckner’s world- other activity. The thoughts and feelings famous book for young people, has made … it is a cultural technique expressed in the text have to be trans- it possible even for less experienced read- I hope I have made it clear: Reading ena- formed into inner images by the read- ers to learn about the fate of Sadaki Sa- bles people to communicate in a sophis- er. This trains the imagination and em- saki, who survived the first atomic bomb ticated way and to educate themselves. pathy to a great extent. The readers are attack in history on her hometown of Hi- But not only that; in reading, man forms asked to shoot an inner film. For inex- roshima seemingly unscathed.5 One en- his personality. He gains insight into the perienced readers, a clarifying conver- ters the world of the other and returns en- world of his fellow human beings and sation is often helpful, and the level of riched. This can help us build a bridge learns “to see with the eyes of another, the reading text must be carefully ad- to our fellow human beings around the to hear with the ears of another, to feel justed. Where is the story set? What is world – a bridge that can sustain us later with the heart of another,” as Alfred Adler happening? Who is featured? It was an in life. expressed it. This allows us to see other exhilarating situation when I once asked Unfortunately, this ability to empathise ways of interacting with each other. But my students how they would imagine the has declined considerably over the last 40 what happens to children who are never “hero” of the story. All the variations of years, especially since the turn of the mil- confronted with the thoughts and feelings hair, eye and skin colours, other physi- lennium, as Sherry Turkle, a renowned that other people have? – Beyond the fate cal features and clothing came togeth- researcher at MIT (Massachusetts Insti- of the individual, we must also include er – determined by each child’s imagi- tute of Technology), has noted in her stud- the whole human family. Reading opens nation. ies. One connection is assumed to be that up the possibility of understanding larger An impressive literary example of the many people are constantly on the move contexts that determine social life. It lays power of these inner images may come online, which prevents face-to-face en- the foundations for free thinking and de- from Ernest Hemingway. The story goes counters and creates interpersonal dis- cision-making. This is the path to becom- that he had made a bet with some of his tance. But doesn’t this already start with ing a responsible citizen and thus the basis writing friends. They had insinuated that the fact that reading good books is given of every democracy. • he was incapable of describing a story in too little space, not only among children 1 six words. He surprised them with the sen- but also among adults? Lester, Cas. Sprichst du Schokolade? (Do you speak chocolate?) Arsedition. 2018. EAN tence: For sale: baby shoes, never worn. 9783845829241 With this, he elicited – if the anecdote ac- Reading is more 2 See author’s website. www.stoecklin- meier.ch tually originated with him – not only from than reading technique … 3 See www.condorcet.ch. Pichard, Alain. Leseförderung: Das Projekt 15×15. (Promoting his friends at the time a story that was In the world of today’s teaching materi- reading: the 15×15 project.) shaped against the background of personal als, the reading process has a high pri- 4 Zaeri-Esfahani, Mehrnousch. 33 Bogen und ein experiences and adventures. Or what goes ority. Curriculum 21 dissects it into the Teehaus. (33 bows and a teahouse.) Peter Hammer Publishers. 2018. ISBN 978-3-7795-0522-8. through your mind? individual parts and formulates corre- 5 Hohnhold, Judith. Sadako. Ein Wunsch aus tause- sponding competencies. It is about better nd Kranichen. (Sadako. A wish made of a thousand Entering into an inner dialogue reading techniques, reading for compre- cranes.) Thienemann-Esslinger Publishers GmbH. Part of a deeper reading is to get involved hension, etc., and optimising the reading ISBN 978-3-8489-2099-0 6 Meyer, Olga. Olga Meyer erzählt aus ihrem Leben. in the perspective and feelings of other circuits in the brain. Do we want to re- (Olga Meyer talks about her life.) Rascher-Publish- people and to enter into an inner dialogue duce reading to that? Or would we rather ers. Zürich-Stuttgart. No 1 20 January 2021 Current Concerns Page 16

We want to spend a lifetime solving the riddle of the human being, because we want to be human. Wilhelmine von Hillern’s novel “Geier-Wally” by Moritz Nestor

You have to read the book, first published ess. Her father educates her harshly, like novel centred on the inner development of in 1873, in the original, it is too well writ- a boy. None of the men in the valley dare a misunderstood, harshly and lovelessly ten. Unfortunately, its content was ideo- to clear out a lammergeier’s nest in a rock brought up girl and her search and strug- logically appropriated, flattened or dis- face. Wally’s father publicly mocks the gle for honest love and recognition. It is torted in numerous movie versions and in men of the village as cowards and ropes the classic theme of the education novel even more numerous adaptations for the his daughter down to the vulture’s nest in in the tradition of Goethe’s “Wilhelm stage. the rock face. Wally clears out the nest Meister” or Gotthelf’s “Ueli der Knecht” despite the attacks of the mother animal. (Ueli the farm-hand): how a person makes Scratched and bleeding, with a vulture his way through life, works his way out of chick back on top, the proud father kisses the low points of life by his own efforts, her for the first time in her life. Wally rais- how he learns from his mistakes and con- es the vulture chick, hence her nickname flicts, and finally how he can gain a foot- “Vulture-Wally”. hold in the existing society. For the insid- At 16, Wally falls in love at her con- ers: a true “anti-Adorno”! But that’s just firmation with the handsome man Joseph, by the by. who has killed a bear. But Wally’s father There are tragic scenes, struggles for rejects “Bear Joseph”, as he is called, as a pride and superiority, for love and defi- son-in-law. He has already promised his ance. For Wally, loving has long been too daughter to the sinister Vincent and there- much associated with being down – until fore pulls Wally away from the feast and Josef and Wally finally find each other, no Joseph back home prematurely. When the longer always seeing the cause of their daughter in love cries for the first time in own feelings in the other, but genuinely Wilhelmine von Hillern her life, her unloving father beats her up. forgive each other and live together on the farm for a few more happy years. Wilhelmine von Hillern based her novel Thanks to a sensitive eye “Wally and Joseph died early, the on the life journey of the Tyrolean Anna for relationship processes … storms that shook them had loosened the Stainer-Knittel (1841-1915), a portrait and Wally detests Vinzenz. Because the fa- roots of their lives”, so the novel ends – a flower painter. Wilhelmine von Hillern ther cannot conquer his daughter, he ban- work such as is hardly ever written today. visited her in Innsbruck to get to know her ishes her with her vulture Hansl to a high A novel of a vanished world and yet also – after hearing that Anna Knittel had gut- alp as a herdswoman for sheep and goats. in its gripping descriptions of human fates ted an eagle’s nest in a rock face near the When Wally returns in autumn, her father and the search for love in an often cruel hamlet of Madau at the age of 17, hanging is ill and Vinzenz is already running the world – a timeless work that can make a from a rope. This was a real man’s job, farm. Before Wally’s return, the old Luck- bygone historical era empathically acces- which at that time protected the flocks of ard has been chased from the farm after a sible to today’s young people. sheep. But after an almost unfortunate ac- quarrel and died full of grief about it. The cident a year earlier and after no man vol- father forbids Wally to live in the house. Intuitive anticipation of unteered for the venture, the idiosyncrat- She has to live as a fodder maid and sleep individual psychological insights ic Anna Knittel as a woman proved to be with the cattle. The humiliated daughter fi- In every line of Wilhelmine von Hill- quite equal to this man’s task. In this and nally loses her temper when Vincent abus- ern’s book, one notices how deeply rooted many other ways, she rejected the tradi- es an old farmhand brutally and knocks the author is in the culture of her home- tional image of women and is considered him down with a hatchet. As Wally is to land and her era, and how much she lives by some people to be an early example of be locked in the cellar, she hurls a burning with the people of her homeland and how female emancipation. The artistically gift- log into the hay barn to escape while eve- much she can empathise and sympathise ed girl received private lessons at an early ryone is busy putting out the fire. with them because she knows her people. age, was supported by an artist, stud- Woven into this education novel, however, ied for a while at the Munich Art Acad- … the author awakens the under­ is also a great character portrait, painted emy and became a working mother later standing for Wally’s inner life path with an astonishing amount of psycholog- on. From 1873 until her old age she ran a With great knowledge of human nature, ical understanding. drawing and painting school for ladies in Wilhelmine von Hillern shapes Wal- When Wilhelmine von Hillern wrote Innsbruck. ly’s life journey through difficult entan- her novel in 1876, depth psychology was glements and strokes of fate. Her Geier- not yet born. Alfred Adler, the found- Growing up in a harsh Wally is, in the best sense of the word, er of individual psychology, is only six and loveless upbringing a piece of folk literature of the kind that years old and, as one of the three pio- In the novel “Geier-Wally”, the pretty Wal- emerged at the end of the 19th century; it neers of depth psychology, will coin the burga Strominger grows up after the early need not fear comparison with Jeremias term “male protest” before the First World death of her mother as the only daugh- Gotthelf and Peter Rosegger, to name only War. 1,2 ter of the richest farmer in the valley, a a few. With a precise eye for the course His pupil Otto Rühle speaks of “pro- domineering, hard man. The maid Luck- of relationships and conflicts between fa- test masculinity”.3 What is meant is that in ard is a loving mother substitute for Wally. ther and daughter and between Josef and One day Wally will become the farm heir- Wally, the author creates a true education continued on page 17 No 1 20 January 2021 Current Concerns Page 17

”We want to spend a lifetime …” ity and harshness, which she also admires, leads us through the forcefulness of his continued from page 16 she flounders “in the net of her fiction” of descriptions of the emotional entangle- the climate of cultural dominance of men the alleged superiority of men. ments to a reading in which one experi- (equal: above, toughness, strength, valu- If one reads “Geier-Wally” also with ences in oneself what the true motive of a able) over women (equal: below, weak- an “individual psychological eye”, it be- despicable act is and: what one has never ness, passive, inferior) boys and girls ex- comes quite vividly clear how much Wil- thought about – and thereby integrates in perience an educational climate already in helmine von Hillern anticipated with one’s own emotional view of man a bit the nursery in which femininity (and thus her vivid character image of Wally Stro- more knowledge of man and fellow hu- also mildness, goodness and charity) is de- minger, what the historically later Adleri- manity: Had I been in the place of this valued as supposedly inferior and an exag- an individual psychology describes as the novel character, had I been born and gerated “masculinity” (and thus violence, tragedy of the hard beating pedagogy and brought up and grown up under the same harshness, lovelessness, lust for power and sets out what consequences this can have circumstances, had I got into the same severity) is glorified as supposedly supe- in the mind of a girl who grows up in the entanglements – I would probably have rior. educational climate of the cultural superi- acted similarly or even in the same way In this educational climate, already ority of man over woman. as this person there, whom the poet de- in the first years of childhood – the girl scribes to us so vividly close and whom – aligned with this fiction of mascu- Pioneer of psychological our superficial whipped-up time con- linity like superiority, – toughness and knowledge of human nature demns screamingly. The reader can thus, strength – begins to reject her own fem- The Russian writer Fyodor Michailow- by reading the poet, escape a bit from ininity as supposed social inferiority itsch Dostojewsky once said that one can the base desire to want to participate in (male protest) and adopts “male” char- spend a lifetime trying to solve the riddle that alluring striving for power through acter traits culturally considered superi- of man and still not lose any time doing which little souls feel a bit more imag- or in order not to be, as she feels, less so, because one does so because one wants ined greatness when they cry out for re- “worthy” than the boys considered more to be human. Wilhelmine von Hillern and venge. Thus, the poet ultimately becomes valuable by the patriarchy. In this ed- many other poets, with their intuitive a teacher of psychological science and of ucational climate, the girl quickly de- knowledge of human nature, anticipated a more understanding inner view of man. velops typical male characteristics, be- the scientific findings of the depth-psycho- Contributing to this is also the merit of haves wildly like a boy to show that she logical knowledge of human nature of the Wilhelmine von Hillern, the creator of is also “good” as a girl, and trains the 20th century to an astonishingly high de- the Geier-Wally. • great mental ambition to outdo all oth- gree. Therefore, they may confidently be 1 ers like a man in order to be considered Adler, Alfred [1910]. “Der psychische Hermaph- counted among the pioneers of modern roditismus im Leben und in der Neurose” (Psychic as woman. In doing so, however, she is depth psychology. hermaphroditism in life and neurosis), in Adler, driven by the need to do twice as “well” It is, after all, the vivid descriptions of Alfred; Furtmüller, Carl (eds.) [1914]. Heilen und as a man in order to be able to “catch people like Geier-Wally who get caught Bilden.(Healing and educating), Frankfurt/Main up” with the male world, which is con- up in actions of which they can say what 1973, pp. 85-93 2 Adler, Alfred [1912, 1919]. Über den nervösen sidered to be of higher value. they have done but do not understand why Charakter. Grundzüge einer vergleichenden Indi- they have done it. – They clarify what un- vidual- Psychologie und Psychotherapie. (On the conscious feelings and actions are long nervous character. Basic Features of a Comparative Individual Psychology and Psychotherapy.), Göttin- before the scientific efforts of depth psy- gen 1997 chologists. 3 Rühle, Otto [1925]. Die Seele des proletarischen We admire the greatness of these poets Kindes. (The soul of the proletarian child.) Frank- and their compassionate power, the fore- furt/Main 1975, pp.16,52, 82ff boding depth of their urgent reflection and their descriptions of the soul. Their inter- est in and rich knowledge of man. Their respect for even the simplest man, who has long since fallen into social contempt and has been expelled from the human community. Friedrich Schiller, for example, does not accuse a “common criminal” of being the spawn of a depraved human nature and stirs up base feelings of revenge, as is presented to our children and young peo- ple every day in the mass media to an un- bearable extent – permeated by the ever same monotonous idea of revenge – but allows the poor devil to be understood as Book cover of the 1921 edition. one of us who has lost respect for himself Typical female figures from politics, – “criminal of lost honor” Schiller calls culture and history remind us, even today, him – and thus also for others. Not least of this overcompensation of “male” power. through the attitude of his fellow human More than thirty years before Adler, Wil- beings – through our attitude. helmine von Hillern creates a girl’s fate with her Geier-Wally, marked by the con- Broadening the human horizon sequences of harsh beating pedagogy Through such reading one learns to look Edition of 2016, self-portrait of Anna and “male protest”. Enmeshed in a tragic deeper: behind the prejudiced superfici- Stainer-Knittel in Lechtal Traditional struggle and protest against male superior- alities of the judgment of time. The poet Costume from 1869.