The good old Gustav Heinemann training center in Malente has undergone a makeover. Over the winter months, the traditional seminar and conference center on Lake Kellersee, which was founded in 1968, was extensively renovated. The sponsoring association, the SPD-affiliated “Society for Political Education Schleswig-Holstein”, invested a total of 850,000 euros.
Funding to cushion the consequences of Corona
As the deputy chair of the association Regina Poersch announced on Wednesday at the official reopening, the lion’s share of the money comes from the state’s investment support program to cushion the consequences of the corona virus. “The past two years have also been a challenging time for us. We shared the fate of the hotel industry,” explained Poersch. The on-site seminar was closed for a total of nine months. But everything was done to keep the 14 employees busy. This was achieved through short-time work and the incredible commitment of the workforce. “Each of the two Corona years cost us 100,000 euros. Our reserves are exhausted. We would not have survived without the support of the federal and state governments,” said Poersch. The ten percent own contribution for the subsidized modernization had to be financed through loans.
The booking situation is excellent again
But this place of political adult education is the best example of how to emerge stronger from the crisis. “The booking situation is excellent again and the facility has arrived today. The completely renovated 45 rooms now offer hotel standards, and the refurbished seminar rooms and updated technology are now up to the standard that guests expect these days,” said Poersch.
“A beacon” of political education
In a greeting, the State Commissioner for Civic Education, Christian Meyer-Heidemann, congratulated the Gustav Heinemann Training Center on the new start. “Your facility has been a beacon of political education for adults for over 50 years,” he said, pointing out that this topic has become more relevant in recent years. “Democracy is not inherited. People are increasingly moving away from the democratic consensus.” Political education is needed to win back doubters and to train multipliers who stand up for democracy. The SPD state chairwoman Serpil Midyatli also called it extremely important that the Malente educational center continues to contribute to “continuing our liberal basic values”.
Seminar program on red hot topics
The team led by the two study directors, Anastasia Brack and Gesa Grube-Bente, then also focused the program on the topics that concern people. Seminars on modern despots, European issues, right-wing extremism and debunking conspiracy tales and what holds society together are in particularly high demand. The attempt is being made to lower the relatively high average age of the guests with more flexible offers – such as including childcare. More information about the seminar and course program is available online www.heinemann-bildungsstaette.de.
Volker Graap
Celebrated the new start on Wednesday (from left): Regina Poersch from the sponsoring association, Anastasia Brack, head of studies, Niclas Dürbrook, SPD district chairman, Serpil Midyatli, SPD state leader, Jürgen Weber from the sponsoring association and Gesa Grube-Bente, head of studies. (Photo: Graap)
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