Symposium for trainee teachers
As a post-Nazi society, the majority of society in Germany is still strongly characterised by National Socialism in many areas. The public's preoccupation with the history of National Socialism is fraught with moral expectations regarding an assessment of this period that seemingly leaves few open questions and little room for debate about the nature of National Socialist society. Furthermore, coming to terms with the crimes of the Nazi dictatorship and the involvement and entanglement of the population often triggers a sense of unease and is in no way easy or pleasant - not least due to any family connections that may exist. A supposed collective guilt, which is often propagated in politics, the media and the public, as well as feelings of personal shame evoke strategies of avoidance and defence among pupils and teachers alike.
In this specialised day, we would like to offer you as prospective teachers the opportunity to deal with various aspects of teaching the history of National Socialism and its continued impact on society.
From our experience with groups of different age groups at the Bergen-Belsen memorial, we know that it is important to develop an understanding and a conscious approach to personal perspectives and emotions in order to counteract defence mechanisms among the seminar leaders, but also among the participants. We want to support this reflection methodically and explore our own personal images and approaches to National Socialism, which also have a great influence on pedagogical practice as facilitators.
In a further module, we will practise together recognising and deconstructing the continuities of elements of perpetrator language and anti-Semitism in educational materials. In addition, we want to analyse variants of the defence of guilt and memory, exoneration through relativisation and perpetrator-victim reversal, which are central structural features of the form of secondary antisemitism that is often referred to as post-Shoah antisemitism or antisemitism because of Auschwitz.
Last but not least, we want to create a space for you as prospective teachers to exchange ideas and network.
We look forward to meeting you!
The event is free of charge.
If you have any questions about the event, please contact bildung.bergen-belsen@stiftung-ng.de.
Please use the online form below to submit your binding registration by Monday, 2 February 2026.
After receiving your registration, we will confirm it by e-mail.