Über uns

WHAT IS WIESBADEN INTERNATIONAL?

Wiesbaden International is a forum which aims to enable all children and adolescents in this city to gain first-hand experience of other countries, regardless of their personal backgrounds.

Basic democratic values such as participation, involvement, equal opportunities and citywide collaboration among different professional groups, as well as voluntary work, are key factors for creating an open and tolerant attitude throughout the city. Collaboration is based on mutual appreciation and the clarification of critical issues, taking into account the free democratic basic order of the constitution and human rights.

The opening up of city administrations, local organisations and associations internationally as part of our organisational development is perceived positively in a globalised world, and in a Europe where countries are forming closer connections.

Support for children and adolescents includes international youth work, which is incorporated in the law of the Federal Republic of Germany in the Social Code book VIII (children and youth welfare act). The support offered by international youth work is oriented to the interests and needs of young people and is designed and assisted by educational specialists.

Organisation, Projects and Cooperation

November 2024

In Wiesbaden, the municipal international youth work body, the “Wiesbaden worldwide” network and the “Wiesbaden International” steering group work closely together.

MUNICIPAL BODY FOR INTERNATIONAL YOUTH WORK (IJA)

The municipal body advises mainly institutions and organisations on issues relating to international youth work, such as organisation, searching for partners, third-party funding acquisition and programme content design. It informs the network about current developments, incorporates ideas from the network and offers needs-oriented further training.

“WIESBADEN WORLDWIDE” NETWORK

The cooperation network between organizations in the field of youth work, school social work, youth employment support and parent support, covers topics which enable participation in international programs. The network meetings are held up to three times a year. Currently, the network consists of 26 local institutions.

“WIESBADEN INTERNATIONAL” STEERING GROUP

The steering group is an interdisciplinary network, with colleagues from international youth work institutions that operate across Germany, colleagues from the social services department and from the office for municipal international relations. Here, local, federal and international developments in international youth work are discussed in order to strengthen Wiesbaden International and to develop its strategy.
The patron of Wiesbaden International

Thomas Schwarze

Thomas Schwarze, born in Darmstadt in 1958, has had an impressive career in education. As a teacher and headmaster, he has successfully managed and reorganised educational institutions. In addition to his professional activities, he is also involved in sport and is a five-time finisher of the Frankfurt Ironman. His motto in life: ‘Nothing is impossible.’

WHAT DOES INTERNATIONAL YOUTH WORK INVOLVE?

International youth work is voluntary, and takes place in people’s free time, usually outside of school or their training program. International youth work is supported by educational specialists and is professionally planned.

Different formats are offered, such as youth encounters, work camps, voluntary work and work placements abroad. Adolescents and young adults can take part either individually or as a group. The formats can last from one week to a whole year.

Adolescents acquire important skills, further develop their personality, strengthen their self-confidence and work to help others. They are encouraged to develop a sense of responsibility and social participation, and are supported in shaping their own lives, in which global influences play an important role.

Focal topic areas such as

  • Sustainability & environment
  • Learning about democracy
  • Art and culture (theatre, literature, music)
  • Sports

can be introduced by the adolescents, developed in cooperation with the international partner or consciously used as a framework for encounters.

The encounters between the adolescents are accompanied by specialist discussions covering the entire range of child and adolescent support, and which helps city administrations, associations and other bodies to open themselves up to other countries. In a globalized world, and in a Europe where relationships between different countries are becoming closer, this is of great importance.

“Experience gained abroad promotes tolerance - the ability to accept people as they are, without prejudice.”

HOW ARE THESE EXPERIENCES ABROAD FUNDED?

Funding for international youth work in Germany and Europe can be divided into three areas. Firstly, there is public funding (third-party funds/subsidies), usually from the Federal Government’s Children and Youth Plan or from the European ERASMUS+ programme.

Private foundations, donors and sponsors are a second option, while the third option is to raise funds through the activities of the project organisers, e.g. participant contributions or other income.
The largest long-term funding programmes for international youth work are the Federal Government’s Children and Youth Plan and the EU’s ERASMUS+ Youth in Action programme.

The City of Wiesbaden provides a permanent additional budget to fund international youth work in order to enable all children and young people to participate in international programmes, regardless of their financial circumstances.

FÖDERGELDGEBER

Contact Details

CONNY MEYNE

Öffentlichkeitsarbeit, politische Lobbyarbeit, Mitarbeit in Bundesgremien

Amt für Soziale Arbeit,
Abteilung Jugendarbeit wi&you

Konradinerallee 11

65189 Wiesbaden

Tel: +49 611 – 31 54 67

jugendinternational@wiesbaden.de

Beratung Freie Träger, Teamerqualifikationen, Internationalisierung der Ausbildung

Amt für Soziale Arbeit,
Abteilung Jugendarbeit wi&you

Konradinerallee 11

65189 Wiesbaden

Tel: +49 611 – 31 32 55

jugendinternational@wiesbaden.de

Philipp Hanusch

Beratung kommunale Kinder- Jugend und Stadtteilzentren, Koordination des NetzwerkesWiesbaden Weltweit, Netzwerkarbeit auf Landesebene, Drittmittelakquise

Amt für Soziale Arbeit,
Abteilung Jugendarbeit wi&you

Konradinerallee 11

65189 Wiesbaden

Tel: +49 611 – 31 35 19

jugendinternational@wiesbaden.de