Designing the future: Bad Aussee Schüler explore the community up close!

Designing the future: Bad Aussee Schüler explore the community up close!

Bad Aussee, Österreich - On June 21, 2025, the mayor of Bad Aussee, Thomas Schönauer, was able to welcome a very special crowd of guests in the town hall. Students in the third class of the elementary school had opened up to learn more about the tasks and the importance of their community. This excursion was part of the "municipal education" campaign week, which was launched by the Austrian Association in cooperation with the Ministry of Education. According to arf , practical contact with the community plays an important role in the political education of the children.

In the lessons, the children had read the children's book “My community, my home” of the Austrian Association. The book not only offers exciting insights into the topic of the communities, but is also used in many elementary schools as a sensible addition to the teaching material. In the third school level, where children have been able to read longer texts to be sensitive, it is an excellent preparation for the visit to the town hall, as the website of the Community Bunde explains.

active participation and attachment

Mayor Schönauer took the opportunity to bring the tasks of the community closer to the young visitors. "The active participation by citizens is crucial for a living community," he emphasized. He explained how very early experience with the home community can strengthen the feeling of connection. Children should understand how politics works and what role their community plays in their everyday life.

The action week not only serves to work with schools, but also to sensitization for democratic processes. In this context, Education Minister Martin Polaschek emphasized the importance of political education, especially in a super election year. Kommunal reported that over 4,000 children's books were already sent to communities and schools to sharpen the awareness of the children for their surroundings.

immersion in the community world

The offers of the action week are diverse. In addition to visiting the town hall, school classes can also use creative worksheets, interactive games and suggestions for excursions to treat the tasks of the community more intensively. So the children not only have the opportunity to gain exciting insights, but also to immerse themselves in the community.

For many students, a visit to the town hall is the first direct experience with political processes. This not only creates enthusiasm, but also promotes a better understanding of the joint organization of services such as street lighting, playground design or drinking water supply.

Overall, it can be seen that "municipal education" is a valuable initiative that ensures that even the little ones start interested in their community and actively shape their development. So the next generation of citizens will be well prepared for their role in society.