CU REMEMBER

Children’s Universities, Open Schooling, and the Formation of Local MemoriaLinks for European Remembrance

In current times where historical knowledge is increasingly crucial, Children’s Universities can play a vital role in introducing young people to complex topics of contemporary history. By creating age-appropriate, engaging formats, we can help children understand the significance of historical events like the Holocaust, the development of democracy, and the importance of human rights. These educational offerings are not about burdening children, but about empowering them with knowledge, critical thinking skills, and an understanding of how past events shape our present and future. Through innovative approaches like the CU REMEMBER project, we aim to transform historical learning from a potentially intimidating subject into an inspiring journey of discovery, fostering empathy, understanding, and a commitment to democratic values among the youngest members of our society.

Background and Objectives

Almost 80 years after the end of World War II, we face the challenge that eyewitnesses are gradually disappearing while extremist movements are gaining strength. Traditional forms of remembrance culture are often no longer sufficient to ensure a comprehensive reflection on European history. CU REMEMBER aims to establish innovative educational approaches that link formal and non-formal education. To achieve this, so-called MemoriaLinks will be created in Vienna (AT) and Trieste (IT), combining remembrance work with modern educational formats.

The project integrates remembrance culture with three key educational approaches:

• Children’s Universities: Low-threshold and inclusive STEAHM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Humanities and Mathematics)
• Open Schooling: A model for cross-sector collaboration focused on community well-being.
• Co-Creation: An approach that fosters creativity, motivation, and a sense of belonging, ensuring that remembrance work is sustainably anchored.

Project Structure and Methods

CU REMEMBER emphasizes close collaboration with schools, universities, museums, and other educational institutions. Through workshops, conferences, and digital media, innovative methods of Holocaust education will be promoted. These include:

• MemoriaLinks Workshops: Innovative workshops for children and young people to explore various formats of remembrance culture which will be implemented in Vienna and Trieste as models for further European regions.
• Catalyst Workshops: Training programs for teachers to integrate remembrance culture into the curriculum of primary and secondary schools.
• Ambassador & Awareness Programs: Workshops, webinars and conferences for young people, researchers, educators, and museum staff to introduce new didactic concepts and raise the awareness for remembrance culture.

Expected Impact

The project aims to sensitize young people to engage with the past in a nuanced way and strengthen democratic values. In the long term, it seeks to establish new forms of remembrance culture and equip educational institutions with innovative methods.

CU REMEMBER connects science, education, and society to understand remembrance as a dynamic process that links the past with the future, making a lasting contribution to the reinforcement of democratic principles.