How we work: Key Activities
One of the bpb’s key activities is the provision of information on the major issues of our times. Large amounts of information are made available on our website and in a wide variety of print publications. The range of topics includes European integration, participation in politics and in society, issues relating to the economy and the financial markets, migration, and social change, as well as historical issues and democracy in general. Another one of our key activities is the ongoing creation of new projects and the development of new methods to meet the special informational and educational needs of people with different learning abilities and people from different age groups and different walks of life.Our Mission: Citizenship Education for Everyone
The German Federal Agency for Civic Education, the so-called “bpb”, offers comprehensive information on topical issues and debates for everyone. Our website provides German-speaking readers with a wide variety of dossiers, charts, teaching materials, and debates on German, European, and international politics, as well as on issues surrounding globalization. They can also find discussions and materials on such general topics as history, democracy, society, economy, culture, media, and education. Everyone can make use of our online services, can order magazines, books or DVDs at www.bpb.de/shop, or can take part in our seminars, conferences, and public lectures.We have also developed special services for different target groups and for key issues in citizenship education. This page presents only a brief sampling of the different approaches taken and the various projects and activities engaged in by the bpb.
The communication staff of the Federal Agency for Civic Education will be happy to provide you with further information. Feel free to contact us at presse@bpb.de or at +49 228 99515-200.
Activities and Services for Professionals Involved in Citizenship Education
In addition to providing citizenship education opportunities directly to anyone interested, the bpb has developed a wide variety of materials and instruments to support professionals whose daily work involves the area of citizenship education. This starts with direct funding to partner institutions all over Germany, whose task it is to make sure that citizenship education is provided on a local level in every region throughout the country. There is also an information service on further funding opportunities and fundraising for citizenship education activities.The bpb also provides professionals with training sessions and materials on teaching methods, as well as offering them its expertise on political, social, and economic issues. Material is available for the teaching of different age groups and for teaching in different learning environments, such as schools, workshops, or informal learning settings. The training activities include such things as seminars, study trips, and involvement in professional networks such as NECE, a European network, or in “Verstärker”, a German network primarily for those teaching or working with educationally disadvantaged adolescents. Two blogs are dedicated to the teaching of contemporary history and politics and to working with social media and new forms of media in schools and in informal educational settings.