Slurs like “you Jew,” “faggot” or blanket statements like “all Muslims want...” can often be heard in schools and youth work. In the course of their daily lives, teachers routinely meet young people who denigrate others as well as those who experience such discrimination. In this regard, not all youth work professionals are sufficiently sensitized to racism and antisemitism.

The Amadeu Antonio Foundation fills this gap, supporting educators in becoming active against racism, antisemitism and other forms of group-based enmity among young people. In addition to developing recommendations and concepts for youth work, we offer workshops, lectures, trainings and supervisory services. The goals are to establish the principle of equality as a starting point within youth work, to create protected spaces for self-determined action for youth of color and Jewish youth, and create networks that connect actors in the field.

Human rights and particularly childrens’ rights are an integral part of our work, informing all of our projects.

It is crucial to draw public attention to local initiatives that are actively engaged in confronting right-wing movements and their ideology, especially when those initiatives lack support in their regions. An article in a national newspaper can make all the difference in gaining support from local politicians and other key players. The Amadeu Antonio Foundation has been able to dramatically improve conditions for initiatives seeking local mayoral support - at times simply by calling racism by its name.

Campaigns against hate and disregard for human rights continue to raise awareness for these important topics.

'No Place for Neo-Nazis' (Kein Ort für Neonazis) for example distributes placards, posters and stickers with which people can flyer their hometowns, stores and other public places, symbolizing the area’s resistance to right-wing extremism.

Public events supported by the Amadeu Antonio Foundation inform local communities about right-wing movements and their racist ideology. These festivals, film screenings, theater performances and other events are also enjoyable alternatives to neo-Nazi-sponsored events in rural areas.