More than 200 students, teachers and interested parties in Austria participated in a special edition of "Europe 90 Minutes+", to learn about the meaning and relevance of the European Convention on Human Rights on the occasion of its 75th anniversary.
Austrian Minister of Education Christoph Wiederkehr delivered a video message, saying:
“We are celebrating a special year of remembrance: the European Convention on Human Rights is celebrating its birthday, and we are celebrating 80 years of democracy in Austria. After the horrors of the two world wars, the Convention was created as a legal instrument that protects our freedom, something we cannot take for granted. In the face of growing authoritarian tendencies, education, historical awareness and a strong Europe are crucial for the preservation of our liberal democracy.”
Participants followed the event on screens in their classrooms, offices or living rooms. They could send questions about “which human rights came to mind spontaneously,” prior to the event.
Ambassador and Austrian Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe, Aloisia Wörgetter was pleased that so many mentioned human rights. “Human rights is not a topic in schools in many countries, but it is an important prerequisite for being able to participate in civil society.”
Manfred Nowak, human rights expert and board member of the Vienna Forum for Democracy and Human Rights, pointed out that while civil and political rights and economics are often mentioned as priorities, social and cultural rights are forgotten. “We also have the right to social security, work, education and a healthy environment.”
To former ARD journalist Udo Seiwert-Fauti, freedom of the press was of particular importance, as a cornerstone of democratic systems. “We need reliable information in order to be able to make well-founded decisions.”
The event was organised by Anton Salesny, Honorary Commissioner of the Council of Europe for Austria in cooperation with the Austrian Ministry of Education.
75 Jahre Europäische Menschenrechtskonvention
Begrüßungsrede des österreichischen Bildungsministers Christoph Wiederkehr
