In the midst of 2002 political, economic and social crisis, the ”Raoul Wallenberg at School” Educational Program began to be developed. The Raoul Wallenberg International Foundation’s initiative focuses on a youth-oriented program that seeks to build a learning space from where students can learn about and spread fundamental values towards the consolidation of plural and democratic citizens.

In 2003, and thanks to the sponsorship of the Secretariat of Education of the City of Buenos Aires, the program reached the students of Middle Level Schools in the City of Buenos Aires.

In 2002 the ”Raoul Wallenberg at School” Educational Program has reached 13 schools in the City of Buenos Aires and in Greater Buenos Aires with the participation of more than 2.300 students. In 2003 the program was sponsored by the City of Buenos Aires and in 2004 the Association of Argentine Educational Private School (ADEEPRA) granted the Raoul Wallenberg International Foundation with the ”2004 Excellence” award because of the contributions made to the community.

The program has been structured into didactic activities including a conference and a second team-working cycle with students and Foundation’s volunteers. The volunteers taking part in these activities were specialists in the educational area.

The initiative is oriented to students from the superior courses of secondary schools, who are preparing to enter into the working world or to begin university studies, thus acquiring full commitments and civic responsibilities.

That is the reason why the program emphasizes the importance of memory, civic responsibility and defense of universal human rights, becoming aware of the relevance of these values for a harmonic and peaceful development of relationships among people as well as among institutions and nations, and promoting a clear understanding of contemporary and recent history.

Each presentation is focused on the discussion of Raoul Wallenberg’s activities, the Swedish diplomat who saved the life of tens of thousands Jewish people in Hungary and others who were persecuted by the national-socialist regime during the II World War. He serves as an example to develop the human rights issue and their role at present establishing analogies with secondary school contents, approaching subjects related with aspect of Argentine society and complementing the contents of ”Polimodal” and ”EGB” schools in the province of Buenos Aires as well as National secondary school. Its influence is shown in the following areas: ”Information and Communication Technology”, ”History” and ”Aesthetic and contemporary cultures” at Polimodal level and ”Sociology” and ”Economy” within Humanitarian and Social Sciences orientation. These subjects are appropriate for the students’ age group, mainly because they are expected to integrate previous knowledge as well as to foster research and reflection on part of the students.

In that way we try to set as an example the heroic attitudes of those people demonstrating solidarity, altruism and respect for human dignity; values and actions necessary to be sustained not only under dictatorships or authoritarian governments, but also as the result of democratic virtues.

In this school program, more than 30 volunteers have participated, among them Marcos Aguinis, José Ignacio García Hamilton and Nicolás Tozer. Also participating in the program were, Laszo Ladanyi and Tomás Kertecz (both Argentine residents) who were saved by Raoul Wallenberg from being deported from Hungary to extermination camps during II World War.

Raoul Wallenberg Educational Centers

Raoul Wallenberg Foundation collaborates with a wide range of resources and funds for the creation and sustenance of educational centers in a permanent effort to improve the quality of life. This activity allows the development of Educational Centers in Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador, Venezuela and Brazil.

Argentina

The Raoul Wallenberg Community and Educational Center in ”La Juanita”, at Gregorio de Laferrere district, Province of Buenos Aires. This center is an initiative of the Unemployed Workers Movement of La Matanza.

In this Educational Center there are two kindergarten rooms and facilities for productive activities such as a workshops, a bakery, a publishing house, a sewing room and a craft school.

Another initiative is the ”Raoul Wallenberg” Kindergarten at 943 School, at Ministro Zarini in La Plata district, Province of Buenos Aires.

Uruguay

”Raoul Wallenberg School Nbr 53, at Gaviyu St. and Regimiento 9 (Brazo Oriental).

Ecuador

Bilingual School Raoul Wallenberg, at 5 de Junio 812 and Sucre Streets, Badahoyo, Los Rios, Ecuador.

Venezuela

”Raoul Wallenberg” Pre-school Educational Center in Catia, Caracas. In 2002, under the initiative of the RWIF this center has been opened to provide valuable education for children of low-income families in Caracas. The center also provides pediatric and dental care, IS instruction and sports activities.

Brazil

The Raoul Wallenberg Educational Center in Curitiba, Brazil.

About the Foundation

The Raoul Wallenberg International Foundation is a non-governmental educational institution dedicated to keeping alive Raoul Wallenberg’s principles in order to promote peace among nations and people, as well as to develop educational projects based on solidarity and civic courage.

In 1997, Baruj Tenembaum founded this organization in Argentina. At present, there are branches in Buenos Aires, Jerusalem and New York. Among other international figures, dozens of Presidents and Nobel Prize winners participate in this organization through Membership on the Honorary Board of Directors.
Translation: Cristina Méndez

Jean Pierre Bendahan and Rodrigo Rendo, volunteers of the programme that aims at promoting the values of solidarity and civil courage, ethical pillars of the Saviours of the Holocaust, received the award. The ”Wallenberg at School” Programme started its activities in 2001 and is sponsored by the City of Buenos Aires.

”Education is the main topic that summons us on a daily basis. We share the principles of the World Conference that deal with ”Education for everyone”, particulary the one that refers to education as the essence of any strategy that aims at reducing the levels of poverty in the world. We know that when people have greater access to education they obtain a deeper understanding of their rights”, said Edgardo de Vincenzi, President of AAPE.

Furthermore, professor Beatriz Montes de Oca, directive of the AAPE, stressed that ”We share the ideals and projects based on the value of education. That’s why we find appropiate today to renew our hope in the goodness of our work in order to remain on this noble road.”

The Programme ”Wallenberg at School” is expected to expand its presentations to more schools as of the year 2005, incorporating new pedagogical and communication tools.

Translation: Clarisa Fernandez

Government of the City of Buenos Aires

Folder N 1921/SED/2003

Buenos Aires, May 23rd, 2003

After having seen the presentation made by the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation and the Goethe-Insitut and

TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION:

That they have organized the enterprise ”Citizen Solidarity and Courage. Raoul Wallenberg’s legacy”, aimed at mid level students;

That they invite to work on the subject of civic courage as a democratic virtue that allows fighting intolerance, racism and violence;

That the purpose is to build a space for theoretical thinking, confrontation and interchange of experiences about the subjects of the call to think of the changes to produce from our educational system, about participation, citizenship and our democratic system;

That given the content of the project, the prestige of the professional responsible and the common objectives to the school as an agent that influences in the personal, social ethical and citizen formation of children, it is a compromise that deserves the recognition and support of the regulating entity of education in all its levels in the area of Buenos Aires.

That is why,

THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION RESOLVES:

Article 1: That the enterprise ”Citizen Solidarity and Courage. Raoul Wallenberg’s legacy”, organized by the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation and the Goethe-Insitut, is sponsored.

Article 2: That it is established that the abovementioned sponsorship does not represent some kind of expenditure whatsoever to this jurisdiction.

Article 3: That is registered and communicated by means of a copy to the Private Secretary and to the Program ”Report” and that is passes to the General Directions of Education, of Private Management, of Superior Education for its knowledge and other effects. Having done that put it on file.

RESOLUTION N 1384

The ”Raoul Wallenberg at School” educational program spreads the values of solidarity, civic courage and interfaith dialogue in order to promote a pluralistic and democratic society. The mission of the program deals with the civic responsibility and the defense of the universal human rights. The program goes out to high shools and universities with the goal of raising awareness of the capital importance of building up a harmonic and pacific development of the relations among people and countries, stimulating an appropiate interpretation of history and current events. The program focuses on spreading the deeds of Raoul Wallenberg and thousands of saviors that saved Jews and other people persecuted by the Nazi regime during World War II. The International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation pursues to set as universal examples the feats of the Saviors of the Holocaust whose moral values know neither geographical nor time boundaries.

” I think the existence of associations like this is highly important . It´s all about a message of peace throughout all the violence in which we live in. If each of us contributes a little bit on spreading messages of this kind, the world would certainly be much better.” (Soledad Sicoit)

”I think that the Wallenberg´s action is memorable; I was eager to know his history. I fully agree with this organization´s goal because I think that morality is something extremely important and vital for a good living, nevertheless, it does not become real very often. ” (Paula Riganti)

”The existence of this kind of foundations is highly important, not only for assisting but also for not forgetting what happened in the past. Between being solitary and sympathetic, I decide to be sympathetic.” (Santiago Arnaud)

”Promoting ethical ideals of this kind is really positive, it is a step forward as regards education and social well-being.” (Gaston de Rochebouet)

”The work you do is very interesting and very productive in such an individualist world. Little by little, you will develop a better ethic, and perhaps, you might help to prevent disasters.” (Mariana Esnaola)

”The existence of an organization of this kind is fabulous, which tries to contribute a little bit on the society to make people become conscious; since there are too many people on the evil side.” (Josefina Zbar)

”Both the foundation´s role and its goals are very interesting, but- Don´t you think it is too hard to change people´s minds and ideas once already fixed?” (Marina Ramón)

”The Foundation´s work, trying to change unfair attitudes and setting an example of values to follow, is very important. You have to keep on spreading the message.” (Juan Cruz González Agtseribbe)

” It is true that values are being forgotten, values which are very important for life itself, not only in this country but everywhere. Thanks for your time.” (Valeria González)

”This talk is interesting because it helps us out from our problems by showing us other things of life which are important as the sympathy towards our brother. ” (Noelia Vanesa Goró Amarillo)

” It feels good to know that there are people in the world who still care about good values and try to make them reach everybody´s life.” (Estefanía Quaglia Gareca)

”The idea of giving talks in schools is excellent; I think it is a way of improving Argentina´s life quality.” (Yesica Scarturro)

Under Jean Pierre Bendahan’s coordination, who is a volunteer of the IRWF, and based on a Natalio Wengrower’s idea, who is the vice-president of the institution, the first presentation at the Secondary School ”Project Three” took place in the town of Nuñez. With the presence of a large crowd of students who actively participated, the guest for the occasion, the journalist Nicholas Tozer, told Wallenberg’s story and those of many other cases of diplomatic saviors in the Second World War.

The students joined the lecture with questions encouraged from the educational material they were provided with.

The initiative counted with the support of the principal of the institution, Francisco D’Agostino (photograph), who warmly welcomed the delegates of the Wallenberg Foundation and attended the lecture attentively.

The inauguration of the program was successful, given the results of active and interested participation of the students to a case that moves essential human values.

Project 3 Private Secondary School
Arias 1640 (C1429DWB) Buenos Aires
Tel.: 4703-3502 / 4038
email: proyectotres@ssdnet.com.ar
Website: www.ssdnet.com.ar/proyectotres

Under Jean Pierre Bendahan’s coordination, a volunteer of the IRWF, and based on a Natalio Wengrower’s idea, who is the vice-president of the institution, took place a new presentation of the Educational Center ”Nuevo Horizonte” in the town of Constitución. With the presence of a large crowd of students who actively participated of the debate which followed the lecture, the special guest of the occasion, the journalist Nicholas Tozer, told the stories of many other cases such as Wallenberg’s. In particular, he stressed the story of the hero of the Polish underground Jan Karski, who was the first eyewitness to offer testimony to the allied forces about the Holocaust.

During 80 minutes the students’ most common questions were: ”How can we apply Wallenberg’s example to our reality?” ”Is it really possible to change reality by actively participating to modify its injustices?” The initiative counted with the support of the principal of the institution, Beatriz Montes de Oca (photograph), who will prepare a poll so that students participate and give their opinions and suggestions in order to improve the program.

New Horizon Educational Center
Matheu 1472 Capital Federal (1249)
Tel.: 4308-1072 Tel./Fax: 4941-1724
email: cenh@infovia.com.ar

”The dynamics of the presentation have been remarkable”, pointed out the teacher Irene Castro, who with her colleague Mabel Castañeda, actively took part in the exchange of ideas and reflections proposed by the IRWF volunteers Jean Pierre Bendahan and Nicholas Tozer.

The Principal of NEA 2000, Mrs. Marta Salonia, invited the Wallenberg Foundation to continue with the program later in the year.

During 80 minutes the students’ most common questions were: ”How can we apply Wallenberg’s example to our reality?” ”Is it really possible to change reality by actively participating to modify its injustices?”

New School Argentina 2000
Sucre 2824 Capital Federal (1426)
Tel.: 4782-0513 Fax: 4788-2535
email: info@nea-2000.com
website: www.nea-2000.com