3AHITN – 2AK 2025/26
On Tuesday, 7 October 2025, classes 3AHITN (HTL/SCPA) and 2AK (HAK/RIEP) took part in a workshop, held at SZU, on the importance of upholding European democracies under threat. Led by Stefan August Lütgenau, Director of the non-profit Foster Europe, and his team, along with Stefan Sindelar, CEO of the non-profit European Capital of Democracy (ECOD), the title of the workshop was Democracy & You. The event was part of an EU-cofinanced initiative, also supported by ProEuropeanValuesAT (PEVA). Our students enjoyed an inspiring day of participation, dialogue and reflection on democracy in Europe today.
Vienna is currently the European Capital of Democracy, and the workshop was part of Vienna’s Year of Democracy, which is now coming to an end before this title passes to Cascais in Portugal for 2026.
Our school centre comprises two school types – commercial and technical-vocational secondary schools – and the different perspectives of young people from diverse educational backgrounds and aspirations enriched the discussions. During the workshop our students were guided through simulations on misinformation and autocracy, leading to discussions on topics ranging from global citizenship, sustainability, the green transition to AI-generated fake news. This required all of the four Cs that are the focus of the government’s upcoming curriculum changes: critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity. These skills are essential not only for learning and working in today’s world, but also for actively participating in democracy.
Another central theme running through the entire workshop was togetherness – learning together, shaping ideas together and participating together. The SZU students shared their visions for Europe’s future and demonstrated the importance of young voices in upholding and strengthening democratic values. The day highlighted how this is a continuous process and that neglecting it can open the door to autocracy.
An important takeaway from the workshop is clear: As a school, we are a mirror of society — and democracy grows where we learn, speak and act together!
