Exkursionen

Dates: November 23–28, 2024

Introduction

This report outlines the key elements and outcomes of the recent educational field trip to Auschwitz, undertaken by selected graduate students from the European Wasatia Graduate School for Peace and Conflict Resolution. Supported by [BMBF], the visit was designed to deepen participants’ understanding of the Holocaust, foster critical reflections on reconciliation and dialogue, and inspire ethical considerations in addressing modern societal challenges. The trip provided an opportunity to encounter historical truths while linking them to contemporary efforts in peacebuilding and justice.

Program Overview

The program began with preparatory sessions at the Center for Dialogue and Prayer (CDIM) in Oświęcim, Poland, where students attended lectures on Polish-German-Jewish relations and the history of the Holocaust. Survivor testimonies and expert presentations offered personal and historical insights, creating a foundation for participants to approach the visit with sensitivity and informed perspectives. The evening before the site visit included a film screening to provide additional context on the Holocaust’s devastating impact.

On November 25, participants visited Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau. Guided tours exposed students to the barracks, gas chambers, crematoria, and other key locations that bore witness to the atrocities of the Holocaust. Walking through these sites provided an unfiltered confrontation with the past, fostering personal reflection and a deeper emotional connection to the victims and survivors. At Auschwitz II-Birkenau, the enormity of the genocide became starkly evident, leaving a profound impression on everyone present.

After the visit, the group reconvened at CDIM for a facilitated discussion to process the emotional weight of the experience. Participants shared their reflections on the moral and social lessons learned, emphasizing the importance of memory, justice, and forgiveness. A post-visit questionnaire allowed students to articulate how their understanding of the Holocaust and its implications had evolved, contributing valuable insights to broader research on educational visits to sites of historical trauma.

The program included additional activities aimed at exploring reconciliation and dialogue. Lectures on interfaith and intercultural understanding highlighted the role of religious and cultural perspectives in fostering peace, while visits to the Harmęże art exhibition and Kraków’s Jewish heritage sites added depth to participants’ understanding of Holocaust memory. In Kraków, interactions with a Holocaust survivor and discussions at the Jewish Community Center underscored the complexities of coexistence and the enduring challenges of reconciliation.

Outcomes and Reflections

The visit to Auschwitz had a profound impact on the participants, fostering a deeper understanding of the Holocaust and its enduring lessons for humanity. Students expressed a heightened awareness of the importance of preserving memory to combat hatred and intolerance. Many noted that the experience fostered empathy and prompted them to think critically about moral responsibility, both individually and collectively.

The visit also reinforced the Wasatia School’s commitment to dialogue and reconciliation. Students reflected on how these principles could be applied to contemporary conflicts, emphasizing the need for ethical leadership and meaningful engagement in peacebuilding efforts. The experience challenged participants to confront difficult historical truths with courage, humility, and a renewed dedication to fostering understanding in divided societies.

Conclusion

The educational visit to Auschwitz was a transformative experience for the participants, embodying the Wasatia School’s mission to promote peace through education and dialogue. By engaging deeply with one of history’s darkest chapters, students not only expanded their knowledge but also strengthened their commitment to justice, reconciliation, and compassion. This journey will continue to shape their academic pursuits and professional endeavors as they work toward building a more reconciled and humane world.