Politics, Business & Responsibility-Archiv

Sustainability Management—A Promising Addition to a Business Administration Degree

Ecology and Sustainability, News, Politics, Business & Responsibility

How can one combine the unique challenges of sustainability with the popular business administration program?

One person who knows this all too well is Prof. Dr. Julian Conrads. For the past three years, he has been teaching business administration with a focus on sustainability management at the Technical University of Central Hesse (THM). His lecture at the Steinmühle, given at the invitation of Bernd Hülsbeck—a subject teacher and head of the social sciences department at our school—contributed to career guidance and once again fostered exchange with the university.

In Focus: Textile Manufacturing, People, and the Environment

This issue affects everyone, and to have a say in it, all you have to do is look down at yourself: What am I actually wearing? Textile manufacturing around the world is a hot-button issue—one that’s generally well known but often ignored. “Surely expensive brand-name manufacturers don’t tolerate poor working conditions,” many reassure themselves, attributing the environmental impact of the textile industry solely to low-cost producers. — That’s often the case and may be true, but it isn’t necessarily so, as Prof. Conrads knows.

Utilization of all conceivable resources

Vietnam, Taiwan, Bangladesh: Conrads went there in person to see for himself the conditions under which the items we wear are produced and how, for example, backpacks are sewn together. The focus is on the three pillars of sustainability: ecology, economy, and social responsibility. Aware that synthetic materials are petroleum-based and that dyeing—along with cotton cultivation—places an enormous strain on water resources, we can immediately announce another startling fact: With 1.2 billion metric tons of CO2 per year and 6–8 percent of global emissions, the textile industry has a greater impact on our climate than air travel and shipping combined.

In fact, these are all figures you should be aware of. And here are a few more examples: The textile industry consumes 20 percent of the world’s water supply. For every kilogram of clothing produced, about one kilogram of chemicals is used.

A Look at Working Conditions

However, alongside these sobering facts, it is also true that the textile industry is a major global employer. It is estimated that 70 million people—particularly in developing and emerging economies—earn their livelihoods from it. Yet even these figures must be viewed in context, given the often inadequate wages paid to workers—who are mostly women and frequently lack basic rights. It is not only the natural environment that suffers from the production of textiles due to air, water, and soil pollution; human resources—specifically, the labor of workers—are also exploited.

Compliance with core labor standards is part of social responsibility. This includes the elimination of forced labor, fair wages, and reasonable working hours. Independent third-party firms conduct audits to ensure that certain standards are met or maintained. Another important criterion in this context is the elimination of child labor.

Business Statements Send a Message

To ensure that employees—most of whom are women—are aware of their rights, training sessions are offered in the areas of occupational safety and labor law. Complaint hotlines are available if on-site conditions do not appear to comply with the law. To send a clear message, companies issue a business statement in which they commit to adopting a sustainable approach. This also addresses supply chains, the diversity of suppliers, and the highly complex substances to be processed.

Is sustainable business economically viable?

Social responsibility and sustainable business practices entail costs for companies. “Can this even be economically worthwhile anymore?” the speaker asked the group, consisting of 11th-grade students from Steinmühle High School. They had the right answer ready. To ensure this is the case, companies rely on marketing and on building a reputation that resonates with consumers.

Possible Career Paths

The Business Administration (BWL) program in Sustainability Management, leading to a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree, can lead to careers in corporate management, work with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), a career in politics, or starting a business. Prof. Conrads: “It’s an addition to business administration. We’re trying to make sustainability a normal part of business administration.”

Angela Heinemann

18. July 2025

Social engagement matters to society

Collaborations & Partnerships, News, Politics, Business & Responsibility, Social Engagement

With their report cards and several awards for special achievements both inside and outside of school, Steinmühle sent its students off on summer break today. Grades may be important to some. But volunteer work in the social sector is particularly highly valued at Steinmühle. For example, Upper School Director Constanze Oestreicher-Gold had already highlighted the commitment of Elsa Stremme (left) and her two classmates, Leticia Günther (center) and Amelie Laukel, all from the 12th grade, as exemplary. The trio, along with other students from various grade levels, received recognition for their outstanding contributions in the social sector.

Support for Children with Leukemia and Cancer

During a personal conversation, we learned that Elsa, Leticia, and Amelie have been supporting the organization “Parents’ Initiative for Children with Leukemia and Cancer” for years—on a volunteer basis and consistently. Their commitment is quiet and unassuming, focused on children of various ages and their parents, who are often overwhelmed by the situation and, as Elsa Stremme puts it, “grateful for any help.” It’s the presence of these three Steinmühlen students—their willingness to lend a hand at events or read to children, their willingness to listen to questions, their reassuring words, their advice, and their intuition for instinctively sensing who needs help at any given moment and how best to provide it. “We’re here to do whatever we can,” says Elsa Stremme. The three high school students help organize events and workshops, contribute creative ideas, and shop for supplies for barbecues.

“It’s nice to see them doing better”

It would be untrue to claim that the three young women are not deeply moved by the children’s plight. The young people affected by illness at the Parents’ Initiative for Children with Leukemia and Cancer are up to 18 years old or just a little older, and the progression of their illnesses is part of what Elsa, Leticia, and Amelie witness. “We’ve gotten to know the children by now,” they say, “and it’s so wonderful to see them grow their hair back after chemo. To see them feeling better again.”

Families Share Their Fate

The Parents’ Initiative for Children with Leukemia and Cancer is located at Steinweg 34 in Marburg. For many affected children and adolescents—as well as their parents—it serves as a safe haven where they can meet others who share their circumstances. Precisely because they understand how important this is, the association’s members welcome anyone who wants to help. This can mean lending a hand, making monetary donations, or even donating specific items—provided these are arranged in advance. You can contact the parents’ initiative by phone or email; see the website at https://eltkmr.de/.

(Coverage of all awards ceremonies on the last day of school will be included in the yearbook)

3. July 2025

Diving into Real Life Through the 8th-Grade Social Internship

News, Politics, Business & Responsibility, Social Engagement

Out of the school environment and into the real world: Through the Steinmühle social internship program, 8th-grade students regularly gain insights into various fields. The students always come away with a wealth of experience from their work at the internship sites of their choice, reports subject teacher Dr. Claudia Röder.

Insight into the Asylum Granting Process

Fabian Preis visited the Marburg District Job Center. There, he gained insight into initial interviews during which people in need apply for financial assistance, and he attended on-site visits where decisions were made regarding the granting of benefits in kind. Fabian also received an overview of the asylum process and the “Team for you” program. There, discussions take place about new opportunities, such as vocational training, job application coaching, and language courses. The student also gained insight into the placement of foster families and established contact with the Family Council, which determines what support families receive.

At the meeting place for war veterans

Toby Miller was drawn to the other side of the globe for a social internship. He was in Adelaide, Australia, at Willo’s Men’s Shed, a gathering place for war veterans. The program, which is government-funded, aims to support men’s mental health. Older men gather here to combat loneliness and find a sense of purpose.
Upon request, the group undertakes woodworking and blacksmithing projects, which are then donated to places like kindergartens—for example, climbing frames and treehouses—and occasionally music projects as well. Participation is voluntary. Sometimes it’s just a place to eat, drink, and talk.
Toby would love to see something like this in Germany, too, so that older people have a place to go.

Help Through the “Medium of the Horse”

Jana Nolte attended a therapeutic riding session at the St. Elisabeth Association. There, people with disabilities receive support through the use of horses.
The disabilities can vary widely, e.g., eating disorders, behavioral disorders, ADHD.
The horse acts as a “mirror” for the body. It helps the children relax because they feel free. Horses build self-confidence, self-esteem, and teamwork skills. Jana noticed that many children arrived looking sad, but all of them dismounted the horse looking happy.
Jana reflected that her social skills have improved. She has learned that she needs to reach out to children in order to help them.

More peace and serenity in the forest

Anni Deucker completed her social internship at the Stadtwald preschool. There are many children from diverse backgrounds there, and it’s a very multicultural environment.
They played lots of language games and sang a lot to help strengthen the children’s language skills.
The days consisted of breakfast together, morning circle, library visits, gym class, arts and crafts, and baking.
There were also forest projects, and during these, it was clear that the children were much calmer and more balanced and argued less.
During her internship, Anni learned patience.

23. May 2025

This is where Steinmühlen honey is made: well protected near the beehive

Ecology and Sustainability, News, Politics, Business & Responsibility

The fact that the Steinmühle also has bees and offers its own honey was already on display at last fall’s festival. As part of a collaborative project, elementary school students from the Erich Kästner School in Cappel were able to explore the topic in even greater depth. Equipped with beekeeping suits, the girls and boys not only learned details about the bees’ proverbial industriousness but were also able to see for themselves the results of their hard work.

Dr. Sven Freibert teaches math and biology at Steinmühle. With the help of his colleague Niklas Berthold from the Steinmühle bee team, he aimed to introduce the children from the neighboring school to the buzzing little colony on the Steinmühle grounds. Bee expert Dr. Sven Freibert found the students to be very well-informed: “We started by talking a bit about the ecology and life of bees. Since the children had just covered the topic of ‘bees’ in class, we were able to move right into hands-on activities.”

About Worker Bees, Drones, and Queen Cells

We started off with a “dry” specimen—that is, a beehive. “Using it as a model, we discussed the structure—the movable floor with the entrance, the honey chamber, the brood chamber, and the lid—and learned about their individual functions, including the technical terms.”

To get a closer look, five children at a time were then allowed to put on the beekeeping suits—what an exciting experience! Dr. Sven Freibert: “We then took this group over to the ‘inhabited’ hives and observed the bees’ lives up close. We saw worker bees, drones, queen cells with their surrounding area, and honeycombs filled with honey.” Fortunately, according to the Steinmühlen teacher, no child was stung during these observations.

“It was a wonderful day”

The group reported at the end that a honey tasting had actually been planned afterward, but unfortunately could not take place due to time constraints. Maybe there will be a next time? Anna Zwickenpflug, a teacher at the Erich Kästner School, noticed that her students were very enthusiastic about the visit to the Steinmühle and raved, “It was a wonderful day with the bees.”

13. May 2025

The “Appreciation Week” was held at the Steinmühle boarding school for the third year in a row

Life at Boarding School, News, Politics, Business & Responsibility

Appreciation Week took place for the third time this year. Each day featured various challenges centered on the theme of appreciation: “Give someone a hug,” “Pay someone a compliment,” “Smile at someone,” and much more. Throughout the week, small treats or kind messages can also be placed in a mailbox for all boarding school residents. Affirmations are also posted in various locations.

“The week has now become an integral part of the year, and we hope that it will continue to be just as wonderful in the years to come,” explain boarding school educators Ben Zriki and Michel Hermens, who documented Appreciation Week in words and pictures.

24. March 2025

The Evolution of Social Values: Ethics Classes Interviewed Prof. Hanno Sauer

Collaborations & Partnerships, News, Politics, Business & Responsibility

What defines moral action? How do our social values evolve? Are freedom and personal fulfillment still guaranteed in a changing world? With these and many other questions in mind, the 13th-grade ethics and religion classes at Steinmühle engaged in a fascinating dialogue with Prof. Hanno Sauer, a professor of philosophy at Utrecht University and author of the highly acclaimed book *Moral: The Invention of Good and Evil*.

Prof. Sauer took the time to address all of the students’ questions and clearly demonstrated how philosophy finds answers to pressing social issues. Using humorous examples and vivid imagery, he encouraged the students to think more deeply and made abstract concepts tangible.

Are our achievements at risk?

After a brief introduction to his book, which examines the development of morality from the Stone Age to the present day, he turned his attention to current social debates. There was a particularly intense discussion of how concepts and discourses surrounding “wokeness” have emerged and what challenges they pose in a modern, diverse society. Prof. Sauer emphasized that our society has already made considerable progress: skin color, gender, or sexual orientation should no longer influence career opportunities or social participation. However, he also raised the critical question of whether right-wing populist movements could jeopardize these achievements. Despite potential challenges, he remained optimistic that fundamental moral progress cannot simply be reversed.

A Vision of a Hopeful Future

In closing, Prof. Sauer outlined a hopeful vision for the future: a world grounded in universal moral values and traditions. This outlook elicited a palpable sigh of relief from the audience, and the participants went about their day with new ideas and inspiration.

We are already looking forward to welcoming Prof. Hanno Sauer back to Steinmühle soon, especially following the publication of his new book, *Klasse*, in which he examines social class differences from philosophical and economic perspectives. With words of praise for our school and reminiscences of his own time as a student in Marburg, we brought this enriching morning to a close in the warm early spring sunshine. Dr. Stefanie Stork

7. March 2025

This is how the Steinmühle voted

News, Politics, Business & Responsibility, Surveys & Studies

On February 19, 2025, the junior elections were held once again at the Steinmühle, this time as part of the early federal elections.

Voter turnout, at 80.2 percent, was slightly below average compared to turnout in previous years, which can be attributed to the high number of students on sick leave and the many students who were abroad. Given these circumstances, however, it is encouraging that voter turnout was still relatively high.

Many thanks to the election workers

This was certainly also due to the great dedication of this year’s election volunteers. Ben Luis Peters, Jannis Bastian, Fabian Gutmann, Andreas Wöhr, Jonathan Eckardt, Baris Tutu, Jan Templer, and Anton Neßler from Dr. Claudia Röder’s Political Science seminar impressed everyone with their motivation, expertise, organizational skills, and their friendly and good-humored demeanor.

Project manager Eva Rink was pleased that the junior elections went off without a hitch. The political science and English teacher was also relieved that the junior elections were able to take place at all this year, which was by no means a given due to the early federal elections and the resulting time constraints. Once again, the project’s sponsor, the nonprofit and nonpartisan association Kumulus e.V. from Berlin, proved itself to be a reliable supporter and organizer of political education (for more information: juniorwahl.de).

The results of the mock elections could hold a few surprises here and there, especially when compared to the results of the actual federal elections or to the overall results of the mock elections from all participating schools in Germany.

CDU Remains the Strongest Party, Followed by the Left Party

At Steinmühle, the CDU emerged as the leading party with 23.9 percent of the vote, just as it had in the last youth election held in conjunction with the European elections.

The result achieved by the Left Party—which was considered the loser in the last election—is striking. This year, the party can certainly be described as another winner, as it not only made significant gains but also became the second-largest party with 21.1 percent of the vote.

The Greens are in third place with 17.8 percent, just ahead of the SPD (16.9 percent).

A nationwide trend is also evident at Steinmühle: Compared to previous junior elections at Steinmühle, the FDP has suffered further losses. While it was still the second-strongest party in the youth elections held as part of the 2021 federal elections, this year it received only 8.2 percent of the vote.

The Sarah Wagenknecht Alliance and the Volt Party received 3.3 percent and 3.0 percent of the vote, respectively, putting them almost neck and neck.

There was no shift to the right

The shift to the right, which is evident not only in Germany but throughout Europe, did not take hold in Steinmühle. The AfD received even fewer votes than in the previous local elections and managed to secure only 1.5 percent of the vote.

In the chart, the following parties were grouped under “Others”: Free Voters (1.2 percent), Animal Protection Party (1.2 percent), Die PARTEI (0.9 percent), MLPD (0.6 percent), and PdH (0.3 percent).

“Panel Discussion Was Helpful”

The results of the first-preference votes are also interesting. Sören Bartol of the SPD emerged as the clear winner, with 40.2 percent of the vote. The attached table shows additional results regarding the district representatives.

Many students noted that the previous panel discussion at the Steinmühle with the candidates running directly for the German Bundestag was very helpful in determining their voting decisions and left a lasting impression.

Democracy is fun

In addition, numerous students and faculty members once again spoke positively about the junior elections, a sentiment that was also reflected in the enthusiasm shown by the Steinmühle student body on election day. Democracy is fun! This was evident once again this year, and the organizer of the junior elections at Steinmühle hopes that enthusiasm for the event will not wane in the years to come.

Eva Rink

24. February 2025

Live Politics: Direct candidates answered questions from Steinmühlen’s 10th-grade, E-level, and Q4 classes

News, Politics, Business & Responsibility

Foreign policy, the future of the Bundeswehr, economic challenges, energy production, social justice, the migration debate: Local candidates from various political parties addressed a wide range of topics before students in Q4, the E-phase, and 10th grade at Steinmühle. The young people asked plenty of questions, were able to form their own firsthand impressions of the parties and their representatives, and thus gained guidance as future (first-time) voters.

There is a shortage of female politicians

Among the panelists—unfortunately, no women were included—political veterans mingled with young politicians. Philipp Henning (Die Linke), Andreas May (Alliance 90/The Greens), Sören Bartol (SPD, Member of the German Bundestag), Alexander Keller (FDP), Dr. Stefan Heck (CDU, Member of the German Bundestag), and Julian Schmidt (AfD) first took turns commenting on overarching issues. For the most part, they successfully represented their parties’ positions, though in some cases their personal views came through—an element that perhaps contributed to their credibility in the “political circus,” since the seasoned politicians among the elected representatives know exactly which cards to play when the public is watching.

Aside from differences in their positions on the issues, the tone of the panel discussion had remained relatively calm. The final topic—the debate on migration—then heated up the atmosphere. “A disgrace to democracy,” Sören Bartol declared, referring to the far right. At any rate, this comment drew the first and last round of applause of the morning.

Anton and Ben Luis did a good job

The two moderators, Anton Nessler and Ben Luis Peters from the 13th-grade advanced Politics and Economics (PoWi) class, handled their duties with confidence during the two-hour event. As is always the case before elections, PoWi teacher Dr. Claudia Röder had ensured that the students at Steinmühle could get a firsthand impression of the local party representatives without the mediation of the media. Principal Björn Gemmer thanked her for this and expressed his delight that all the politicians had accepted the invitation.

The topics and the answers:

Germany’s Role in Foreign Policy / The Future of the Bundeswehr

We need to talk more about how to spend less. Unfortunately, Trump and Putin are here. No more money should go to NATO or the Bundeswehr (Philipp Henning, Die Linke)

We are against conscription. Our decision: rearmament or addressing issues for the future (Philipp Henning, Die Linke)

The U.S. is no longer a guarantor of peace. We must invest in defense with the goal of never having to use those weapons. We must rethink security (Andreas May, Alliance 90/The Greens)

We are no longer able to defend ourselves. Today, disarmament is no longer a realistic option (Andreas May, Alliance 90/The Greens)

The issue of national defense is back in the spotlight. Conscription is not financially viable. The Bundeswehr must be made more attractive to both men and women (Sören Bartol, SPD)

We need a strong Bundeswehr; that is the only way we can be effective. I am not in favor of conscription. Making the Bundeswehr more attractive must become a central topic of public debate (Alexander Keller, FDP)

Within the European alliance, someone has to take the lead. We need to discuss universal conscription, whether in the Bundeswehr or in civilian sectors such as the fire department, THW, or similar organizations. …Out of 40 tanks, about two are operational. We need to discuss defense cooperation. Soldiers need more social recognition and greater visibility (Dr. Stefan Heck, CDU)

Germany needs a robust foreign policy, a capable military, and a confident stance (Julian Schmidt, AfD)

Every defense minister has new ideas (regarding conscription). This creates a sense of uncertainty. We need a unified, bipartisan approach. Conscription is an important pillar (Julian Schmidt, AfD)

Economic Challenges

From an economic perspective, the question is what to prioritize. There was a global recession, not just in Germany. We need to tap into the wealth tax, capital gains tax, and inheritance tax. Social inequality must be addressed. We need to invest in roads and infrastructure (Philipp Henning, Die Linke)

We are dependent on exports, have seen no growth since 2016/17, and do not have a favorable investment climate. We have tried to balance industry and climate protection. There is a labor shortage and a shortage of skilled workers. We must distinguish between migration and asylum (Andreas May, Alliance 90/The Greens)

We need to keep a close eye on our infrastructure, such as railways and bridges. These are massive investments. The debate over the debt brake needs to be reformed. Local governments are underfunded. People with a lot of money need to contribute more (Sören Bartol, SPD)

There is no clear economic line within the SPD. Yet the economy is the driving force behind everything—it’s the foundation (Alexander Keller, FDP)

Our government has failed to distribute nearly a trillion in tax revenue as it should have (Dr. Stefan Heck, CDU)

We need an affordable energy supply. Social security contributions are too high. Businesses should be relieved of many of their reporting obligations. We are pushing for openness to technology (Julian Schmidt, AfD)

Equal Opportunity

Many people are receiving the basic income; that’s not the right approach. We need to get people into work (Julian Schmidt, AfD)

Education is the key to everything. We should place this sector under federal jurisdiction, because it’s unacceptable that a high school diploma in Bremen is worth less than one in Bavaria. Our state must also seek out talent in underprivileged districts (Alexander Keller, FDP)

When it comes to financing the economy, the focus is solely on growth. We need a minimum wage of 15 euros to increase purchasing power. Rent control is an important issue, including in Marburg (Andreas May, Alliance 90/The Greens)

Our pension system has been ruined. Austrian law provides a better example. Everyone contributes (Philipp Henning/Die Linke)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a New Medium for Retail?

It seems that ship has sailed. First, we would have to create the framework for businesses (Julian Schmidt/AfD)

We would need to collaborate with universities. The question is: Do we have enough electricity? An AI computer requires more electricity than a normal computer. The EU must establish a secure legal framework (Dr. Stefan Heck, CDU)

This should be incorporated into the curriculum at schools and universities (Philipp Henning, Die Linke)

The Future of Nuclear Power

Shutting down the last three nuclear power plants in 2022 was a serious mistake. Now we’re importing nuclear power from France. We’re currently lacking 20 years of experience in nuclear technology. We’ll see what happens after the election (Dr. Stefan Heck, CDU)

It’s dangerous to leave that open (Sören Bartol, SPD)

That would have to be clarified by a committee of inquiry (Alexander Keller, FDP)

There is no going back to nuclear power. It is no longer economically viable. During periods of low sunlight , we make do with imports in addition to renewable energy (Andreas May, Alliance 90/The Greens)

That’s complete madness. I’m not interested in a Chernobyl 2.0 (Philipp Henning, Die Linke)

We should make it possible to return to nuclear power. Given the current state of our technology, the only reason we can live the way we do is because other countries have different policies (Julian Schmidt, AfD)

Declining Interest in Politics

Corporate donations should be banned. There needs to be more transparency in lobbying registries (Philipp Henning, Die Linke)

A major challenge! A matter of trust. Given that there are also corporate donations to The Left and initiatives like “D-Day” within the FDP (Andreas May, Alliance 90/The Greens)

Everyone has the opportunity to cast their vote accordingly (Sören Bartol, SPD)

Decisions are made transparently and are not dependent on large donations (Dr. Stefan Heck, CDU)

That impression is understandable. To be honest, power and money do play a role. I can only encourage everyone to do what they can to change this and join a political party (Julian Schmidt, AfD)

When it comes to issues affecting the public, we should, whenever possible, embrace more direct democracy (Alexander Keller, FDP)

On the Current Debate on Migration

We need to distinguish between asylum and migration. We need skilled workers (Alexander Keller, FDP)

Illegal migration has been haphazard over the past 10 years. We need to resolve individual cases before they even reach the EU (Dr. Stefan Heck, CDU)

Anyone who wants to work here legally is welcome. Anyone seeking protection must integrate and behave appropriately. No asylum for people who don’t need protection (Julian Schmidt, AfD)

It’s also about the nature of the debate. Of course, we have to assess what mistakes were made (Sören Bartol, SPD)

Habeck is planning an “enforcement campaign.” But these are not “deportation tickets” (Andreas May, Alliance 90/The Greens)

The AfD is harming Germany as a business location. It is an escape from realities that we have helped create (Philipp Henning, Die Linke)

7. February 2025

“We know we’re destroying the Earth—and we do it anyway”: Bernd Holly on social responsibility

Ecology and Sustainability, Former Students & Alumni, News, Politics, Business & Responsibility, Social Engagement

For decades, Bernd Holly, as principal of Steinmühle, made announcements: at events, over the PA system, or sometimes in person when he wanted to get a message across. His announcement at the end of January to the upper-school students was different. It was a call to rethink their own behavior if everyone on this planet wants to continue living here.

“We know we’re destroying the Earth. And we do it anyway.” That’s how the educator—who has been retired since the summer of 2023—began his talk. The worst part is: he’s right. With this reality in mind, Bernd Holly shared numerous examples with the audience—examples they could recognize in their own lives and that would give them pause for thought. How thoughtlessly do we buy coffee to go, leaving behind a billion disposable cups in Germany alone? We mow our lawns to achieve the perfect “English” style, but in doing so, we destroy the wildflower meadow. And we would have loved to win the shopping weekend in New York that a public radio station in Hesse raffled off around Christmas time. Is reflection a matter of luck? Seriously?

Energy drinks? Totally out of touch!

Holly makes it clear that he adapts his talks—which he also gives to adults at companies—slightly when speaking at schools. “Anyone who drinks energy drinks is a victim. Completely out of it.” He raised awareness about fruit that’s peeled and then packaged in plastic, advocated for seasonal fruits, and encouraged people to rethink their meat consumption for health and environmental reasons. “The world doesn’t need people—it’s about the foundations of our existence. We’re seeing this firsthand through the effects of climate disasters like those in the Ahr Valley, in Valencia, or now in California,” appealed Holly, who has been a vegetarian for four years. He questioned the popular nut nougat spread not only because of its sugar content but also because of its use of palm oil, which leads to rainforest deforestation. There are many things people would rather not see, said the former school principal, citing, among other things, the Christmas goose industry.

35 percent of food ends up in the trash

Breaking free from the pressure to be seemingly perfect isn’t easy, but it is possible: constantly buying new clothes you never wear anyway, constantly getting a new cell phone, buying too much groceries, 35 percent of which end up in the trash—as has been proven. “Shopping triggers happiness hormones, I know,” remarked Holly, who began volunteering at the Marburg Food Bank at the start of his retirement, “an institution that symbolizes social problems,” he noted. Then the conversation quickly turned political: migrants’ lack of German language skills as a sign of failed integration, gender-neutral language as a sham debate (“I don’t do that”), and then back to the “Don’t Buy Anything List” that had convinced him, along with the question of whether speeding down Berlin’s Ku’damm in a souped-up car was really the only way to gain social recognition.

“Giving Back to Society”

But—Bernd Holly is a realist. He knows that not all of his points will be implemented right away, and he understands the odds involved. “You are privileged; you will eventually hold key positions. Think things through and be role models.” If even just one of the points he listed were to be implemented, the lecture would have been worth it.

Bernd Holly looks back on his life so far. Coming from a very humble background and having risen to become principal of the popular and highly sought-after Steinmühle School, he wants to give something back to society. Out of a sense of responsibility—”which (turning to the student body) you, too, will one day bear.”

The lecture was a project of the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) program based at the Steinmühle.

31. January 2025

LK 12 History Presents an Exhibition on Resource Justice

Art, Music & Theater, Ecology and Sustainability, News, Politics, Business & Responsibility, Steinmühle on the Road

“Poor Despite Wealth” is the title of the traveling exhibition organized by the Motivés association, which was set up yesterday by the 12th-grade advanced history class on the upper floor of the main building. In addition to showcasing selected raw materials such as lithium, cobalt, palm oil, and gold, the exhibition also addresses the topic of the ecological footprint.

Trade Relations Embedded in Power Structures

A total of 12 roll-up banners illustrate how today’s trade relations are embedded in historically established power structures and continue to lead to significant inequalities in terms of control, access, and use of global resources. The exhibition explores the struggles over land, human rights, and dignified living conditions that accompany the extraction and processing of these raw materials. It also examines questions of global resource justice, resistance, and options for action available to each individual.

As teacher Ines Vielhaben noted, the exhibition will be on display at the Steinmühle for six weeks and will hopefully spark stimulating discussions during class and recess.

25. January 2025