About us International education and exchange are our contribution to tolerance and mutual understanding. Intercultural education supports the dialogue between religious denominations and religions, between the rich and the poor. Since 11 September 2001 this has become more important than ever. By this our endeavours to have nonviolent conflict resolutions are of special importance. With our activities we go on developing our dream of a world, where all people can find their place, their freedom and most importantly their peace.
Communication and reconciliation need a critical view on history, especially considering the victims of the national socialist terror. Encounter and education in the memorial places of the Holocaust and the war of annihilation are an essential component of our programme. With the focus on "Aktiv gegen Rechts" (active against the right) we support interested groups and participants of our programmes of education by creating their own campaigns and projects against the growing influence of the far-right. There is a special focus on Belarus: Here the IBB and Byelorussian partners built the International Centre for Education and Exchange "Johannes Rau" during the years 1991 to 1994 . Since its opening in 1994 there have been about 800 events every year. Under the conditions of the regime the International Centre for Education and Exchange "Johannes Rau" Minsk is a place, where the development of a civil society is being supported, an exchange of information between experts has become possible and it is a window to the west. In his greeting celebrating the 10th anniversary of IBB Minsk in 2004 Johannes Rau, whose name was given to this International Centre for Education and Exchange, wrote: "The IBB Minsk stands for openness and dialogue. In Belarus it is a lighthouse, which bestows light on the people. It invites to discussions, in which differing opinions can be put forward and where people can talk with each other, whereas somewhere else they might not get this opportunity. It is here where they can get together and sometimes even become friends."In this context political education is not dry, academic study: own investigations, direct encounters and conversations with people from different cultures is fun. If we open up to new experiences, we will develop. Respecting each other and allowing personal opinions and attitudes is the basis for our work. The Association for International Education and Exchange (IBB) is an incorporated nonprofit society not run by the state. The registered office is in Dortmund. The association is registered with the number VR3463 in the register of associations. It obtained acceptance by the finance office Dortmund West because of the benefit to the public due to encouragement of international attitude, tolerance in all areas of culture and the idea of international understanding. Benefits (donations) are tax-advantaged. The IBB is institutionally and politically autonomous, charitable and nonprofit. Further information about the IBB you'll find here.
The AssociationThe association is represented by three managers. Each manager is authorized to represent the association.
The development association IBB is an accredited supporting organisation of the child- and youth welfare. Following the guidelines of the law for further education of North Rhine-Westphalia it is an institution of political education and an organisation of adult learning as a member of the Evangelisches Erwachsenenbildungswerk Westfalen/Lippe e.V. Furthermore the IBB is a member of the Arbeitskreis deutscher Bildungsstätten e.V. (AdB) and the Aktionsgemeinschaft Dienst für den Frieden (AGDF) e.V.
Our further education bears the seal of approvalThe Association for International Education and Exchange (IBB) is certified according to the quality criteria of the seal of approval of the Gütesiegelverbund Weiterbildung Nordrhein-Westfalen. It bears the seal of approval of further education. The nonprofit close corporationThe IBB nonprofit close corporation is to 100 per cent the daughter of the IBB. It is registered with the number HRB 9403 in the Commercial Registry. Peter Junge-Wentrup is the executive of the IBB nonprofit close corporation. Together with Belorussian partners this association owns the International Centre for Education and Exchange "Johannes Rau". The main focus of the work is developing democracy from beneath, the development of future concepts and reconciliation between European neighbours. Furthermore the nonprofit close corporation runs the Geschichtswerkstatt Minsk ("Geschichtswerkstätten" are groups or associations, which commit themselves to researching and depicting regional history from beneath"), which was opened in 2003. In addition it is in charge of the Förderprogramm Belarus, which the Federal Ministry for economic cooperation starts repeatedly. |
