Actions taken:
Austrian RC can confirm our strong commitment to humanitarian education and reports on further intensified activities:
Dissemination of international humanitarian law was expanded, the #humanity program was implemented and the efforts to support the learning journey of children and youth intensified.
Overall, it should be noted that the importance of humanitarian education is greater than ever and must therefore continue to be promoted in the future.
Various efforts have been made to support children along their educational path in order to enable them to grow up with equal opportunities. Through concentrated and individual programs, pupils were accompanied and supported through learning opportunities to further develop and promote reading and learning skills. Measures were thus implemented and expanded to address SDG 4 “Quality Education”.
Of course, the restricted access to schools during the Covid 19 pandemic must be addressed, as well as the summer camps and other offers for young peopole that had to be canceled due to the pandemic restrictions.
Adopted measures to reflect our commitment to the pledge:
Dissemination of International Humanitarian Law, to promote the knowledge of IHL (also under the aspect of asylum and integration) within the young generation in school and youth groups of Austrian Red Cross as well within teachers in educational institutions (multipliers information)
Since 2019, young people have been reached with various offers relating to IHL. In addition, caregivers and educators have been trained as trainers. The broad network of the Austrian Red Cross Youth was used and further expanded for this purpose.
In addition, various materials were made available to support the dissemination of IHL – from lesson plans and e-learning components to various teaching materials.
Around 3000 young people were reached through the youth groups. Around 2500 young people were reached in specific IHL workshops at schools and as part of our international friendship camp we addressed around 100 participants.
Campaigns like “#Humanity” target pedagogical staff as well as young people and raise social media competence.
The Austrian Red Cross Youth teaches children and young people of all ages the values of humanity, such as solidarity and a willingness to help, making them “agents of change” in society. In addition to existing programs and projects for various target groups (educators, youth group leaders, children and young people), the organization also focuses on specific topics. On the one hand, this involves a contemporary preparation of current and selected topics for caregivers, which can be implemented in lessons or youth group sessions. On the other hand, children and young people are given new thematic and interactive opportunities to engage with the topics.
From July 2019 to June 2022, #humanity – Digital Humanity was selected as the thematic focus of the Austrian Red Cross Youth. The final report contains information on project management, measures developed, goals achieved and lessons learned relating to the #humanity world.
By actively disseminating and distributing the information packages to schools, elementary educational institutions and youth organizations, educators and youth workers were reached with the various offers – it can be assumed that the materials will be used by a wider audience as well. In total, around 8.000 people are involved in the Red Cross Youth as caregivers. Furthermore, all materials are available on the homepage, and therefore a permanent effect can be assumed. During the project period, a total of 23.972 people were reached with the #humanity offers and products.
Extension of tutorial programs to address educational needs of children until they reach the end of compulsory school.
As part of our learning support programs, we work with children and young people to contribute to their educational success especially in the field of compulsory schools. We provide support in individual learning settings as well as within the framework of programs to specifically to improve reading skills. Between 2019-2024, we reached around 13,000 children in intensive learning support and around 40.000 children through reading mentorships.
