The AWO AWO undertaking, "Education Ambassadors," advocates for level educational access
In the vibrant city of Gelsenkirchen, known for its multicultural population and social integration efforts, a new community initiative is making waves. The Education Ambassadors Project is designed to promote educational access, intercultural dialogue, and social inclusion within local neighbourhoods.
Admir Bulic, Managing Director of the AWO UB Gelsenkenkirchen/Bottrop, underscores the importance of the participants' commitment in bringing education into the community. The training, part of a new project developed by the AWO, funded by the Innovation Fund of the state of NRW, and implemented in cooperation with the VHS Gelsenkirchen, was well-designed and characterized by a great sense of togetherness among the participants.
A total of 18 participants were trained, each bringing different competencies, life experiences, and perspectives. Among them is Andre Drozdek (27), a participant born in Gelsenkirchen to Polish immigrants. Drozdek, an administrative officer and caseworker, shares his commitment to using his role to inform people about their rights and duties in the city and bring them closer to diverse educational offerings.
During the training, Drozdek learned the importance of approaching people openly and at eye level, a skill he acquired at the AWO. The Education Ambassadors will serve as local contact persons in neighbourhoods, at events, in clubs, or in conversation. Through their everyday relevance and social competence, Education Ambassadors create access, reduce fears, and make educational paths visible.
The goal of the training was to empower urban community members to bring education into neighbourhoods in a way that is relevant, low-threshold, and culturally sensitive. The practical deployment of the Education Ambassadors begins, accompanied by the AWO and networked with educational actors in Gelsenkirchen.
Manal Rasul, an Education Ambassador, worked as a trainer and teacher in her home country of Syria. Rasul wants to motivate people to learn, believing education is key to active participation in life and better integration. She aims to get involved in Gelsenkirchen, both on-site and online, in the areas of language promotion, family education, and integration.
The first deployments are already planned in community centers, education networks, and at events. Andrea Henze, city councilor, thanked the participants for their societal value as bridge builders for more participation and equal opportunities in the city of Gelsenkirchen. The AWO UB Gelsenkenkirchen/Bottrop celebrated a milestone, presenting certificates to the first Education Ambassadors who completed their training.
For precise details about the Education Ambassadors Project in Gelsenkirchen, including its founding organization, concrete objectives, activities, and measured outcomes, further search accessing German municipal, educational, or NGO sources related to Gelsenkirchen would be necessary, as the current search results offer no direct citations on this initiative.
If you have any inquiries, please contact Martina Leßmann at [email protected]. The Education Ambassadors Project in Gelsenkirchen is poised to make a significant impact in fostering educational engagement, bridging gaps between schools and families, and supporting the integration of immigrant or disadvantaged students.
The Education Ambassadors Project, built for education access, intercultural dialogue, and social inclusion, is empowering urban community members like Andre Drozdek for personal growth, using their roles to bring diverse educational offerings to their communities. In Gelsenkirchen, these Education Ambassadors, such as Manal Rasul, aim for active participation and better integration through language promotion, family education, and integration, thereby fostering educational engagement and supporting the integration of immigrants or disadvantaged students.
