English summary

The „Bildungswerk der Humanistischen Union“ is a centre for civic adult education; most of our seminars take place in North-Rhine-Westphalia, some of the conferences and further activities are organised in other parts of Germany or abroad.

We offer seminars, conferences, local workshops and tours concerning most of the present social and political questions. Our central issues are: civil rights, democracy and participation, the lessons of history, migrants‘ policies and minority rights, educational reform, economic developments and working conditions, convergences and conflicts in Europe.

The Bildungswerk has grown from the educational activities of the „Humanistische Union“, one of the earliest civil rights organisations in the Federal Republic, founded in 1961. The aims of the „Humanistische Union“ are those of the Bildungswerk as well: reduction and control of political power, democratic and minority rights, humanizing all public control systems like prisons and psychiatric clinics, pluralism of media and educational reform.

The „Bildungswerk der Humanistischen Union“ is an independent organisation, funded by public grants on state and federal level, foundations, donations and the fees the participants in our programs are contributing.

Our website offers short descriptions of some of our current seminars, the principles of our activities, the present staff, a list of publications and research projects, short information on political adult education and educational leave in Germany, and an archive with reports, lectures, media and commentaries.