We are our decisions

Colombia has a new rendezvous with democracy in 2022. The parliamentary elections took place last March, whilst presidential elections will occur next May. As it is expected, many conversations have revolved around candidates, government proposals and election days. Such conversations have reached our classrooms: our students, concerned about the future of their country, analyze, ask and investigate in order to take positions even though many of them cannot vote yet.

At Deutsche Schule Medellín, political training is as important as democracy in Germany and Colombia. Each year, between January and February, classrooms become debate scenarios: one of the first tasks is to elect student representatives and class representatives (from Klasse 5) who are going to be a part of the Student Council -Cecam- for a year.

It is the duty of the DSM to provide education that helps students become active individuals in society. For this reason, political pedagogy points towards integrality: we provide them with tools that help them make autonomous and independent decisions based on the understanding of the social reality around them.

From Kindergarten, certain topics are chosen democratically to be addressed throughout the year. In conjunction with Asopacal, “Programa Vivir” has been developed. It is a program that helps raise social awareness. Later on, different programs such as the UN Model, Student Mediation and others, foster students’ engagement. We aim for children and young adults to understand that they can participate, give their opinion and take sides, always tolerating and respecting others and their rights. Verbs such as analyzing, argumenting and investigating are a part of the DSM training in every class and environment; they become daily practices for a good decision-making process.

Autonomy and differentiation, the two cornerstones of our pedagogical model that are important when talking about politics and participation.

Students should understand that, in order to exercise their own judgement, they need enough information and enough arguments, and they also need to know when those are far away from the truth and closer to manipulation. We want to give them critical thinking as a legacy for their adult life, this would be the possibility to decide for themselves in a free and responsible way. For these reasons, the two cornerstones of our pedagogical model, autonomy and differentiation, are important when talking about politics and participation.

Democracy is a process that must be taught. Information is not only received at school, but also at home and from friends. We are responsible, along with parents, to provide tools that allow them to be informed and to have open minds that are free of discrimination. Ultimately, each step defines the role that each citizen plays in democracy.