On 31 January 2024, the research center “Transformations of Political Violence (TraCe)” organized a workshop at a Frankfurt school. For an entire morning, 13 pupils from an 8th grade class focused on NATO. While simulating the German news format “Tagesschau”, they engaged in interactive learning about the development, different positions and current challenges facing NATO in light of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. The workshop was organized by TraCe coordinator Dr Annika E. Poppe and knowledge transfer officer Tina Cramer. The workshop was scientifically accompanied by Dr Jonas J. Driedger.
The workshop kicked-off with a welcome and introductory round guided by Dr Annika E. Poppe and Tina Cramer. Afterwards, Dr Jonas J. Driedger introduced the topic with an input and first reconstructed the history of NATO's development together with the students. The students then worked in small groups to focus on the relationship between the three countries - the USA, Germany and Ukraine - and NATO. Using current news reports, the students looked at the attitude of each country towards NATO. Additionally, they discussed the issues and challenges the respective governments were dealing with. Finally, they worked out each country's position on Ukraine joining NATO. The groups then presented the result of their work to their classmates as correspondents in a simulated news broadcast marking NATO's 75th anniversary. The workshop was rounded off with a joint evaluation and feedback session and a concluding lunch.
The aim of the school workshop was to familiarize the students with current topics in peace and conflict research. As a TraCe stakeholder workshop, the aim was also to convey the work and content of the TraCe research center to the students. In the spirit of dialogical knowledge transfer, global perspectives are integrated into political education and students reflect together on the causes and possible solutions to political violence. TraCe already organized a stakeholder workshop with journalists in Bogotà last year. Another stakeholder workshop is planned with actors from civil society.