Status: November 12, 2020 7:00 p.m.
The education committee of the Schleswig-Holstein state parliament has dealt with the subject of conspiracy theories. Experts say education is the best remedy.
According to studies, a quarter to a third of Germans are susceptible to conspiracy theories. These are particularly booming in the corona pandemic. On Thursday the education committee of the state parliament discussed it with experts. The state commissioner for political education, Christian Meyer-Heidemann, said that it was noticed that approval of such narratives goes hand in hand with a distrust in political institutions. “Conspiracy narratives are booming in crises. There will probably not be more people who believe in them, but we perceive them louder,” he said.
Meyer-Heidemann: Promote media skills
Education makes a positive contribution to protection against conspiracy narratives. That is why it is necessary, according to Meyer-Heidemann, to educate people about digital media and to promote media skills. That is a cross-sectional task at schools – and there he still sees room for improvement. He campaigned for more training opportunities in this area.
AUDIO: Discussion of conspiracy theories in the education committee (1 min)
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Alienation from society?
The representative of the Ministry of Education, Karsten Jonas, underlined that research, pedagogy and education had been dealing with the topic for a long time and referred to teacher training courses. The school administrators were also trained on the subject of extremism. “Conspiracy narratives have now arrived in the middle of society. That is why there is a need for political education inside and outside the school,” said Janas.
The head of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Joachim Albrecht, described the problem of alienation that was taking place. An alienation from society and from norms and laws. “We always have to keep in mind that people who have worries must also be able to express these worries. For example, at demonstrations. But extremists try to exploit these worries,” said Albrecht.
Further information
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