“Because school is an hour of future every hour”

On Vienna’s Mariahilfer Straße, Youngcaritas draws attention to a sad fact with a street campaign on World Day of Education: “Almost every fifth child in the world lives in areas affected by armed conflicts. Due to wars, conflicts and poverty, 251 million children cannot attend school, although according to the UN Convention on the Rights of Children, every child has the right to education, ”said Caritas director Klaus Schwertner. “At the same time, we know that education is the key to a self -determined future, it enables participation and is the best poverty. Education not only has the potential to improve the future of each individual affected child, it also has a positive effect on society as a whole. Education is the most important investment in peace and stability, which ultimately benefits all of us. ”Actress Ruth Brauer-Kvam supports the campaign:“ Education is the greatest treasure of our society. If we want to continue to live in a society where it is about commonality, openness and understanding for each other, we have to invest in education. ”

In order to draw attention to the dramatic situation of the affected children and to show the public concrete possibilities of help, an empty classroom from tables, chairs and a board on Mariahilfer Strasse was built. Under the motto “Never more school, no more school …”, a school class from the nearby Amerlinggymnasium made the drastic figures visible at the global failures of education. A team from the Youngcaritas also provided interested passers -by with information. In addition, the Young Caritas provides interested teachers with a free toolbox to be able to treat the topic well in class. In addition to learning materials and information, it contains concrete suggestions on how students can become active themselves.

School gives stability wherever there is only chaos
Wars, conflicts and crises are romping around the world. 473 million children are affected and experience daily situations that no child should experience. In the middle of crises, school gives the children support and stability. Even if the world is all around in ruins, it creates an island of normality and simply enables children to be a child. School – and thus structure and routine – not only promotes the mental health of the children, it often also enables access to nutrition and medical care if this is not otherwise possible. Caritas is in use in numerous countries to grow well as well as access to education and thus provide future prospects. “In Ukraine alone, we have been reaching over 100,000 children in 34 aid projects from Caritas since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression in February 2022. With the current fundraising campaign, we would like to continue to offer children in crisis areas perspectives for a better future – for example with school materials, psychosocial care and a little light -heartedness that we enable in our child Friendly spaces and children’s centers. Each donation counts and gives a piece of hope, ”emphasizes Schwertner.

Donation examples:

• With 10 Euro Secure a child in a day center for Ukrainian refugees and local children in Moldova Learning materials for a month.
• 50 Euro enable a child in Ukraine loving care and care in one Child-friendly Space.
• 100 Euro secure a child for a month Warm lunch and afternoon care incl. Learning aid mit pedagogue * inns.

Caritas donation account:
BIC: GIBAATWWXXX
Iran: AT23 2011 1000 0123 4560
Password: “Children in Need”
Online donations: www.wirhelfen.shop or www.caritas.at/kinderkampagne

More information for educators: Information on the action & order toolbox