In September I signed up for an association called “Gegen Vergessen – Für Demokratie” (roughly translated: against forgetting – for democracy). And Saturday we had the general assembly. I wasn’t really going to attend because this thing’s are usually a drag and the legal things happen like discharging the executive board and approving budget plans. However since my mom is on the executive board (which I didn’t know when signing up) I decided to participate and by doing so taking another step into shaping democracy.
Starting with Shaping Friendships
I started the day early because I invited myself to an old friend from high school for breakfast who happened to live 5 minutes from the meeting venue. So I went to the bakery and drove to her place (40 minutes) at knocked on her door at 10:03 am. We had a wonderful time chatting and sharing things and discussing. Her husband joined us for breakfast and it was really really nice. A wonderful and uplifting start into the day.
This is a friend I was school president/school spokesperson (I am struggling with vocabulary so my German readers please correct me on the right term for “Schulsprecher”) in my last year of high school. A friend I met in the principals office my first day back in school after the exchange program. We both had to officially sign up for school entry (she moved to Berlin that year) and she ended up in my sister’s class. She is now a historian. And I was always more friends with her than my sister.
Anyways… I am getting sidetracked. I wanted to talk about shaping democracy. But maybe that was the perfect start having breakfast with her.
Onward to Shaping Democracy
The general assembly was held in the Biosphäre Potsdam – a tropical jungle with many adventures to be discovered. To get to the meeting I had to walk through the jungle so I saw a bit. My plan was to take photos during a break but unfortunately no time. I need to come back.
After hanging up my coat I quickly found my mom who immediately introduced me to a person who had recruited my sister to the association (which I also didn’t know when signing up) and we sat down.
I will not bore you with the details on the six our meeting that took place. But I will say that it didn’t feel like six hours. It was much more interesting and entertaining than I had anticipated.
The association “Gegen Vergessen – Für Demokratie e.V.” is a nationwide education provider. Last year there have been 650 events in 180 venues organized by 42 regional groups. The main areas of expertise are National Socialism, GDR (East Germany), History of democracy, Strengthening democracy, Society in diversity, Political extremism. Currently the association holds 14 full time employers everything else is done by volunteers. The member count is currently 2.300. The association was founded in 1993 when Skinhead movements took root in society.
Ongoing into 2025 there were three core topics the association wants to adress:
- Approaching conflicts democratically
Not only trying to make your point in discussions but also really listening about what the opponents are fearing, are scared and what pain points they have. - Opposing for democracy
But knowing that at certain points there is a line that democrats do not cross. And then be vehement about it. - Further training that specifically addresses participants and reaches new target groups
Strengthening personal in all sort of institutions to have skills to fight for democracy may it be teachers, place force, medical personal or ticket sellers at concerts.
This sounded like a good plan for me. I am no aware of the specific projects that are integrated so I guess we’ll see.
There was an agenda item that allowed discussions. I was almost racing my hands to say something about reaching younger generations, social media and the dangers of democracy. But I was too slow.
And I would have to follow some really smart people. I scribbled down some sayings because I didn’t want to loose them as they resonated:
Many have an opinion but only a few have a clue.
Franz Müntefering, former member of parliament
Democrats must become better.
We must not only know, but also act.
The main group of people attending were older gentlemen 70+. However I have seen some younger faces. But this is a real problem. It is the war generation that founded this club who knew what failed democracy can do to a nation, a society as well as the members from former East Germany. But that has been 35 years. Newer generations lack this personal experience and maybe don’t see the challenges. I am nit sure and I don’t want to pinpoint.
However while academic people were overrepresented – it felt like every other person had a PHD or was a professor – there were also people from the police force, social workers, teachers. And one thing that was important for the founders to include all democratic parties (For my US friends that doesn’t mean Democratic Party as you know it but parties who oblige by democracy which is currently around 5 major ones.) And that shows. Which makes it very interesting to listen. While there maybe different opinions and strategies everyone wants to keep democracy at the for front. Discussion revolved around that it would be better to listen to ideas from other parties and not categorically reject because it was suggested by another party than your own.
Democrats need to fuel.
My Take Away
There was a lot of food for thought for me. But the main take aways was for me an emotional one. I experienced that there are people who see the challenges of this time, who fear what is happening but who has so much enthusiasm and confidence that we can shape democracy, make society and this country better. That was really uplifting and proved that I had done the right decision to become a member.
I still don’t know how and if I will actively participate. Even though I had some ideas and thoughts I discussed with embers of the executive board already.
I went home exhilarated. Hopeful. Happy.
Question for you: Do you volunteer somewhere? Are you member of a club/society/association? are you member in party? Would you feel competent arguing a case for democracy? Did you grow up in a political environment? Have you been class or school president in Highschool?
18 comments
I think it is good that you are attending this sort of thing, because, like you said, the majority of people are older and were affected more. So we need the younger generations to be involved, but it is hard to get them/us involved when they/we did not go through it them/ourselves. So hopefully we can learn from the older generations and avoid making the same mistakes over and over! (also how funny that your Mom was there without you knowing she was going to be there! Great minds think alike!)
I knew prior to attending the meeting my mom was involved. I didn’t know when signing up but told her later that I joined an organization and she then told me she’s in the board for the past 20 years…
Crazy the things you don’t know about your parents.
Even if I end up not being active I think it’s important to support and talking about it, hence the recent posts on this topic on the blog. It’s a journey and I just share as I go through it.
I love this, and I especially love the notes about really listening to everyone, but still holding your ground. That is so important. I’m also amused that your mom has been in this organization for 20 years and you didn’t know, and that your sister is involved as well. Funny how you can know someone so well, but if certain things don’t come up in conversation, you don’t know about them.
My volunteer efforts have always been more local. I delivered meals to home bound seniors for almost 11 years, one day a week. The pandemic changed the way they deliver the meals and I don’t have a big enough car, blah blah blah. I recently signed up to help kittens at a local pet store, they have been rescued from shelters and are there to be adopted, they need people to come in and clean the cages and so on. I haven’t actually done it yet, though, because the kittens at my location are sick and at the vet getting care.
It was definitely a surprise to learn that about my mom and sister. It is true that so many things don’t come up in regular conversation and you wonder why you didn’t know…
I think volunteering is such a great way to give back. For years I was not able because my mental health was shaky. Now that I feel better I need to give back. And I think choosing something you enjoy is the most authentic. I would never volunteer for pets (exception being tortoises) because I don’t have much connection but I love that you do it and have your way. I am sorry the meal delivery doesn’t work anymore. Did you also talk to the elderly or just delivered?
I think that this is important and very much needed. I hope you will find a way to help and feel like you are contributing.
It’s really scary if Germany of all places already is forgetting its history. Why are humans so stupid and shortsighted?
I wish I had an answer to that. We humans are just stupid I think. Let’s hope the majority is having their heads on straight, not only in Germany but worldwide because I see tendencies of right wing and Nazi and antisemitism and all the scary things and all nations right now.
This sounds like a great thing to do, and the three key points are very powerful. I hope you’ll tell us more about it as you attend more of the meetings.
Thank you, Michelle. I thought to true that these three points were powerful. That is why I screwed them down to not forget. I am looking forward to learning more and seeing how I can get involved or where can share information and such.
The breakfast does start like a great way to start your day. How funny that your mom and sister were involved and you didn’t know it before you signed up.
I was on student government in high school. I was very involved as a volunteer at our kids’ school years ago. Parts of that were rewarding. I was on the school board. Ultimately I got burned out. Too much to do for too few volunteers.
Yes, that’s always an issue that the few people who volunteer get burnt out and then just can’t do anything. As always, it would be so nice if all the work was divided on my shoulders.
Yes, it was funny to learn that part of my family was already involved .
I had no idea you were also head of the student body in highschool. Me too! And how great you were able to meet up with your friend for breakfast!
I think it’s fantastic that you’re volunteering. I’ve been thinking about getting more involved and I still have to figure out how I can do this and what options we have locally. Please keep us posted on the activities you’ll be involved in.
I still don’t really know how I can be involved or if I want to be involved and how much time it will be. At least I have started somewhere and if in the end, I’m only volunteering my money to the cause I figured it’s better than doing nothing. I hope you find some local place to get involved. It really helped that I am not alone with my thoughts and fears, and that others are struggling with that too. Makes it look not so impossible to change things.
I think I knew that you were head of student body Maybe we talked about it in emails?
I love this and I love that you’re getting involved in this way. I hope to get involved in some local politics near me. I started volunteering for a food pantry, which is one small step I can take.
I hope you find something that makes you feel you’re doing something and that has an impact. Working at the food pantry is a really good first start. I’m sure people appreciate that. I’d love to read more about that.
I think this is great Tobia! I volunteered a lot at the school when the kids were younger but am currently happy that I got a little breathing room. But with the outcome of the election I want to get more involved again locally. I am not sure how this is going to look like but I am researching options.
I bet there was a lot of volunteering when the kids were younger with school and everything. Totally understandable that you enjoying your breathing time. I hope you find something that you can contribute locally and comes to politics.
I’m so glad this lifted your spirits and made you feel more hopeful. It’s funny that you joined up without knowing your mum and sister were involved in this organisation.
Definitely funny and a story we will tell among us for a while. It really was uplifting. I just hope to carry some of the spirit with me. A week after I already am so back into every day routines. It’s hard.