"GreenCulture_ Sustainability in Colour"

Foreword

Intercultural competence is a key qualification for children, adolescents, and adults in our society. Aspects of globalisation such as international division of labor, world-wide networks or the global information and media society require open-minded thinking and acting on all levels. Intercultural knowledge in the One World should be learned through participation in meaningful, experiential projects, and motivating examples.

Not only in order to counteract extreme right-wing movements, the thoughts of students and all mankind need to be anchored in the understanding that all men are equal, and that different value systems and cultural orientations need to be respected. This implies the development of attitudes and behaviour patterns that are committed to the ethic maxim of humanitarianism and the principles of freedom and responsibility, of solidarity and understanding among nations, as well as to democracy and tolerance.

This book of the Arbeitsstelle Weltbilder (World Images Studio) explores these principles in exciting and artistic ways. Through this book project, in cooperation with Mpumalanga, the South African partnership province of North Rhine-Westphalia, ancient intercultural knowledge is newly activated and used for the development of schools and student businesses in Mpumalanga…

This project, dedicated to the ecological and intercultural development in the One World, is leading the way into the "UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014)". GreenCulture offers a precious contribution to the world decade of "Education for Sustainable Devolopment", put forth by the plenary assembly of the United Nations.

I thank all those involved in this project for their outstanding participation.

(Bärbel Höhn)