Democracy at Schule Schloss Salem

These are a central pillar of education for responsibility and democracy. Since the school was founded, pupils in all year groups have learnt to take responsibility for themselves and the community. Through the election of school representatives, students experience democratic processes first hand. The school's most important bodies are the parliament (upper school) and the council (middle and lower school). 

The tasks of these officers are varied and range from school policy offices and sports captains to the administration and organisation of student groups. Their main task is to fulfil their role model function and strengthen the Salem community. The procedures, tasks and competences are laid down in the school constitutions of each level, so that structured and transparent student representation is guaranteed.

The Spetzgarter Abendbrot is a discussion format with a long-standing tradition. At the Spetzgarter Abendbrot, Salem International College invites experts from politics and business to give talks on current topics and discuss them with the students.

The most recent guest was Rüdiger von Fritsch, one of Germany's most sought-after foreign policy experts, who revealed new details of our world order to 150 students and teachers. Read more in the report

Pupils and staff regularly organise theme or project days. Students spend one or sometimes several days working on a specific topic in class. The ‘Media’ theme day for grades 7 and 8 is an integral part of the annual programme and helps students to find their way in a world increasingly shaped by media.

A special example of a theme day initiated by pupils was ‘Living Democracy’, initiated by the school speaker. Former German President Joachim Gauck was invited to give a talk in the Salemer Schrote and then answer questions from the students.

On 6 June 2024, Schule Schloss Salem took part in the #ichstehauf project day. 

Model United Nations (MUN) is a simulation in which participants act as delegates to the United Nations. In simulated committees such as the Security Council, they debate global issues, find compromises and pass resolutions. Each participant represents a state and tries to authentically represent its official positions.

The activities include formal debates based on UN-like rules and regulations, as well as informal negotiations in which resolutions are drafted. Through these processes, participants learn about the workings of international politics, improve their rhetoric and practise in negotiation situations.

Our students have the opportunity to take part in two MUN conferences every year: in The Hague and in Genoa.

Like MUN, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is a simulation game offered at Schule Schloss Salem. Students take on the roles of president, vice-president, chancellor, judges and lawyers. For four days they negotiate legal cases according to the rules of the real International Court of Justice, which is based in The Hague and works according to American and British law.

Under the guidance of legal experts, the students prepare intensively for their roles. This simulation offers participants a valuable practical and theoretical learning experience and allows them to experience the workings of the International Court of Justice first hand.

Read about the last ICJ simulation here

Jugend debattiert is a nationwide school project in Germany that offers students the opportunity to learn and apply debating skills. It was launched in 2001 and aims to promote the rhetorical skills, critical thinking and political education of young people.

As part of Jugend debattiert, students compete against each other in debates on current social and political issues. The debates follow a fixed set of rules to ensure that all participants can present their arguments in a clear and structured manner. Debaters must be able to present both pro and contra arguments, which enhances their ability to consider different perspectives.

The project spans various levels of competition, starting with school and regional competitions through to state and national finals.

In our debating clubs, pupils learn to research a topic thoroughly and find valid arguments. In the debates, they improve their ability to express themselves and engage in dialogue and strengthen their expertise and powers of persuasion.

„Jugend debattiert“ at der Schule Schloss Salem

Students from Schule Schloss Salem have the unique opportunity to take part in the colloquium and award ceremony for the Theodor Heuss Prize in Stuttgart. The event offers members of the debating club and the politics club the opportunity to engage intensively with the annual theme of the Theodor Heuss Prize. They also gain an insight into the prizewinners' commitment to democracy and diversity and can engage in direct dialogue with them.

These experiences illustrate Kurt Hahn's guiding principle of "education for responsibility" and inspire the pupils with practical examples of democracy in action.

To the report on the colloquium and the award ceremony

As a school with students from over 45 nations, it is particularly important to us to actively stand up against racism of any kind. In June 2023, Schule Schloss Salem was presented with the ‘School without Racism - School with Courage’ award under the patronage of State Parliament President Muhterem Aras. A group of pupils applied for Schule Schloss Salem to be included in the network of the same name. This consists of 4,000 schools that actively campaign against discrimination, bullying and racism. These values have been anchored in the Salem school community since the school was founded. This was also evident in the application: over 90 per cent of the pupils and staff signed the list of signatures that was submitted with the application.

More about the plaque presentation