Press releases

The Parzival School in Aachen is now part of the “School Without Racism – School With Courage” network. The certificate of membership was ceremonially presented during the joint celebration marking the 20th anniversary of the Parzival School in Aachen and the 40th anniversary of the Free Waldorf School in Aachen. As the 16th school in the city of Aachen—and the first special education school in Aachen to join the network—the Parzival School is thus sending a clear message in support of democracy, diversity, and respectful coexistence.

Numerous students, parents, teachers, alumni, and guests from the political and civic spheres gathered to look back on six decades of shared educational efforts and to celebrate the anniversary under the theme “For Inclusion and Democracy.” A special highlight of the day was the Parzival School’s induction into the nationwide network “School Without Racism – School With Courage.”

As the event’s patron, Mayor Dr. Michael Ziemons attended the school’s induction into the network. Together with Marie-Theres Sobczyk, first deputy city councilor, he praised the school community’s dedication and emphasized the importance of democratic education.

“As a sponsor of this school, I’m delighted that together we can show that democracy begins in everyday life, in the classroom, in our actions, and in how we treat one another. We bear responsibility for one another and for a city that empowers everyone,” says Ziemons.

With a varied anniversary program full of music, creative presentations, and numerous opportunities to connect, Helma Leon, principal of the Parzival School, and Nina Ipach, head of the School Development Department at the Freie Waldorfschule, made it clear that inclusion, mutual respect, and democratic cooperation have shaped school life there for many years.

The “School Without Racism – School With Courage” network is the largest school network in Germany. It includes more than 5,000 schools nationwide that actively advocate for human dignity.

By joining the school, the Parzival School community commits to actively and consistently working against all forms of discrimination and to promoting democracy and human rights in everyday school life.

The City of Aachen’s Municipal Integration Center supported the school throughout the entire admission process. The network’s regional coordination office, located there, supports all Courage schools in Aachen in their efforts to combat discrimination. During the ceremony, Marjan Buhr, representing Regional Coordinator Tanja Romm, presented the certificate and the network plaque.

The Freie Waldorfschule has also already begun the process of becoming a member of the “School Without Racism – School With Courage” network. The admission process is already underway and underscores both schools’ shared commitment to a school culture that opposes discrimination.