The Board

Born in 1978 and a business psychologist by profession. My involvement with JIK began with a trip to Israel and Palestine in the spring of 2014. There I became aware in a very impressive way how important tolerance is and how difficult it is to build bridges compared to walls. My desire to accompany young people in their encounters with other cultures encouraged me to volunteer for JIK.

Astrid Stern, born 1957, teacher of German, mathematics, history/politics and biology at the Rupert-Neudeck-Schule in Troisdorf. Young people are shaping our future, a future that should be characterized by peace. This can only succeed if people approach each other with tolerance and not only respect others, but also know and perceive their traditions and habits and take them into account in the dialogue. An international meeting among young people and their exchange could be a guarantee for such success. Since the association JugendInterKult e.V. embodies all these ideas in an almost ideal way, I would like to contribute to their implementation by working on the board.

Born in 1980, teacher of chemistry, Protestant religious education and mathematics at Lohmar Comprehensive School. For me, two aspects are of central importance in the association JugendinterKult! On the one hand, this is the intercultural and interreligious work of the association. The other is to discover the world and meet new people with teenagers and young adults. For me, the work in this association has a special meaning, because only in the encounter authentic and respectful experiences are really sustainable. International youth encounters are a central building block. to discover new friends, unknown cultures and new ways of life all over the world and to be able to dive into foreign cultures in a guided way. For me, these encounters are a central part of growing up as an adolescent or young adult with an open mind.

Born in 1977, graduate social pedagogue FH. The first contact with JIK came about through an advertisement in a local newspaper, in which escorts for youth encounters with Israel were being sought. Since I am interested in Israel, its (cooking) culture, religion and way of life, I contacted the board and got to know the chairman.

I would like to get involved in the planning and implementation of these bilateral youth encounters as well as in the board of JIK, because I consider an early sensitization of young people for foreign peoples and cultures to be fundamentally sensible and important and, especially in times of growing anti-Semitism, I would like to make my contribution to reducing prejudices against Jews.

Born in 1998, Master’s student in Controlling and Risk Management at the University of Siegen. I first became aware of the association in 2019 and have since participated in two trips to Israel/Palestine/Jordan. The many encounters with people of different backgrounds and views and the close contact through overnight stays in host families make the trips to this conflict-ridden region something very special for me. They help to view the complex Israel-Palestine conflict in a differentiated way and promote tolerance and respect for other cultures. Through my cooperation I would like to contribute to the fact that also in the future such journeys can take place and further the intercultural exchange remains possible.