In the fall/winter semester, the Schiller-vhs is once again focusing on the topic of "Together in diversity". Diversity means togetherness and difference at the same time. The focus on equality, equal opportunities, anti-discrimination, participation and inclusion is currently more important than ever. These aspects are particularly evident in the current vhs program. In courses, lectures, excursions and study trips, there is something for everyone in the district. Target group-specific courses, for example for people with physical disabilities or specifically for men/women/children, are specially marked with the "Diversity" logo.
Two semester focus events with well-known speakers herald the start of the topic in focus: On October 14, Balian Buschbaum will report on his experiences on the topic of "Diversity - Living with Diversity" and on October 21, Sebastian Wächter will present "How companies benefit from inclusion". Former Olympic athlete, bestselling author, speaker and coach Balian Buschbaum will report on his personal experiences of "Diversity - living with diversity" at the semester focus event on October 14 in Remseck am Neckar. Equal opportunities and inclusion are on everyone's lips, but are rarely actually practiced. After many years as a severely disabled employee, Sebastian Wächter will be speaking at the semester focus event on October 21 at the Kronenzentrum Bietigheim about how inclusion can benefit us all, but also corporate culture and companies in particular.
The 17th Academy Days will take place on November 16 and 17 at the Kronenzentrum Bietigheim-Bissingen. Experts from science, teaching and research will discuss the controversial question "Rich or poor - fate or self-determination? Do we need a new economic order?" and enter into discussion with the audience. Prof. Dr. Michael Hartmann will introduce the topic at the opening event of the Academy Days on October 24 with his lecture "The economic elite - wealth through performance or family inheritance?".
In the run-up to Christmas, day trips and study tours combine local history and regional studies with pleasure: the trip to "Winterzauber auf Burg Hohenzollern" (Winter Magic at Hohenzollern Castle) is a chance to experience local history. On the day trip to Strasbourg, there is time for a visit to the romantic Strasbourg Christmas market after the political education provided by the visit to the European Parliament. The study trip "Dresden and Prague in Advent - Two major cities and their Advent markets" combines two cultural capitals and their Christmas markets at what is probably the most beautiful travel time in December. A four-day study trip to the European capital of Brussels starts in September.
The digital offering in the fall/winter semester includes over 170 online courses from all subject areas. As part of the funding opportunities offered by the Baden-Württemberg state digital package, additional classrooms have been equipped with document cameras, projectors and interactive boards, among other things. Two locations in Bietigheim-Bissingen and Marbach am Neckar were equipped with video conferencing technology for hybrid courses. These courses offer the option of taking part in lessons either online or in person on site. The course events are transmitted to the web and online participants can take part live via video conference and chat. The hybrid format includes courses on business practice, Microsoft Office, programming, Linux and the Raspberry Pi mini-computer.
New to the program are online lectures on the hot topics of "Cryptocurrencies", "Eating insects?!", "Comparison portals on the Internet", "Legal errors in everyday consumer life" and "Eating and shopping at 50+". The new courses "Heating without oil and gas", "Plastic-free household", "Digital estate", "Traffic turnaround" and "Shares and the stock market for women" provide information on the pressing questions of many consumers. The new courses "Gluten-free baking with the master baker", "Serenity through mindfulness" and "Yoga for a happier life" are dedicated to maintaining a healthy body and mind. A new offer for families is the parent-child course "Nature is calling" with the wilderness educator.
The program for the semester focus "Together in Diversity" includes over 160 lectures, discussions, courses, workshops and guided tours. The vhs program always focuses on special target groups, but this semester in particular. For example, there are many courses in the fall/winter semester that are specifically tailored to the needs of older people, younger people, people with disabilities, women or men. The offer ranges from the special guided tour of the Mercedes-Benz Museum "Women and Cars", "Qigong for Men" and "Yoga for People over 70" to learning coaching for lifelong learning specifically for the target groups of children, young people, trainees and adults.
The course "Creating accessible websites" deals with how to program websites so that people with visual impairments can also find their way around them. In cooperation with Lebenshilfe Vaihingen-Mühlacker, the inclusive course "The power of laughter" brings people with and without special disabilities together. On the "Rainbow Tour Stuttgart", participants explore the city from the perspective of the LGBTQ community and learn exciting facts about Stuttgart's LGBTQ past and present. The "Alternative city tour with Trott-war" focuses on the reality of life for socially disadvantaged people in Stuttgart with a visit to the homeless and addiction support services.
"The courses, lectures, discussion groups, excursions and study trips encourage people to think outside the box, not only through their learning content, but also through the encounters within the group. Contact with other participants breaks down barriers and creates mutual understanding," says Constanze Weis, director of the Schiller-vhs. "People often meet in the vhs courses and get talking to each other who probably wouldn't have met in everyday life. Especially in times of new challenges and controversial points of view, this exchange is more important than ever."
Embracing diversity in all areas: This applies to participants, the planning and teaching staff, the administration of the adult education center and, of course, to all lecturers. "The daily work at the Schiller-vhs as a large district adult education center shows that it can only work together," says Weis: "Course offerings in 36 cities and communities throughout the Ludwigsburg district and beyond are only possible through close cooperation with local representatives, cooperation partners, room managers, janitors and many other stakeholders. "It is precisely this diverse cooperation that creates the multifaceted range of further education courses offered by the Schiller-vhs."
Info:
The new semester with around 1,600 courses, lectures and excursions starts on September 26, 2022. Registration is now open.
The printed program is available to pick up at numerous distribution points in the district's town halls, bookshops and many banks.
Information on all vhs events can be obtained from the staff at Schiller-vhs by calling 07141 144-2666. Registration is now open: by telephone, online at www.schiller-vhs.de or by email to info@schiller-vhs.de.
