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“A credible commitment to human rights starts with yourself. Human rights are not only for others to fight for, they are also an inspiration for how you want to treat and live yourself”.

Pierre Stutz, author of the book “Humanity NOW!”
to the 13 HUMAN topics

music

dance

education

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HUMAN music

For conductors, orchestras and musicians

HUMAN music offers many opportunities to realise your own HUMAN music projects, such as performances or concert readings with recitations from UN human rights or world literature. Here are some materials that you can use for your project.

Helge Burggrabe has outlined his thoughts on the 13 pieces of music. You can download the texts contained in the CD booklet in different languages here: GermanEnglish

The HUMAN Music can be realised with 41 or 30 musicians. You can get the score for a small nominal fee. Write to us here with a note about your project or project idea.

HUMAN dance

For choreographers and dance companies

The aim and great opportunity is to interpret HUMAN music on themes of being human in dance.

The authors of the script Amaya Lubeigt and Wilfried van Poppel were the lead choreographers of the HUMAN Community Dance premiere in summer 2021. In addition, they direct HUMAN Community Dance school projects and initiated the successful concept “Five days to dance”.

HUMAN education

For educators

Since 1948, the UN human rights have formed an important basis for peaceful and respectful coexistence of people worldwide – and yet they have not been realised.
Thus, it is also important in the pedagogical context to focus more on human rights education.
Therefore, we have compiled some HUMAN materials here and also references to institutions that can provide support.

In this script you will find a short description of each of the 13 HUMAN themes with suggestions for implementation in school and non-school educational work as well as references to the exercises and texts in the “COMPASS Handbook on Human Rights Education” of the German Institute for Human Rights Education. 
You can read a sample of the script here. We will be happy to send you the complete german script on request, free of charge. But please note, that there is no English version of the script available, yet. You can find more information about the KOMPASS manual here.

The author Susanne Krämer from the Institute for Teacher:ing Education, University of Leipzig, is head of the project “Mindfulness in Education and Higher Education Culture (ABiK)”, university of Leipzig and coordinator of the research network “Mindfulness in Education”. In 20019 she published her book “Awake School. With mindfulness and presence”. (only available in german)

The book offers accompanying texts, poems and film tips on the HUMAN Vision and the 13 HUMAN themes.
The basic message von Pierre Stutz lautet: Ein glaubwürdiges Engagement für die Menschenrechte beginnt bei dir selbst. Menschenrechte sind nicht nur für die anderen zu erkämpfen, sie sind auch Inspiration dafür, wie du selbst mit dir umgehen und leben möchtest.
You can find the german version of the book in the online store des Kulturbüros Buggrabe, beim Patmos oder im (Online-)Buchhandel. Für Schulen gibt es ab einer Bestellung von 10 Büchern einen Rabatt.

Pierre Stutz, who co-authored the book with Helge Burggrabe, is a theologian, spiritual teacher and best-selling author. His books have been translated into over 40 languages. Website

In this script you will find didactic-methodical ideas for using the book “Menschlichkeit JETZT!” by Pierre Stutz and Helge Burggrabe and the “COMPASS Handbook on Human Rights Education” for human rights education, inside and outside school (with annotated film list and own worksheets).
A german reading sample you can download here. We provide you with the complete script as a download free of charge on request.

The author Gerhard Ziener teaches at the Pedagogical-Theological Centre (ptz) in Stuttgart as a lecturer on the topics: Denominational cooperation, methodology and didactics of competence-oriented teaching and learning.

Kinofilm: HUM>Nrights – 75 Jahre Menschenrechte

Inspired by the HUMAN composition, Soroptimists from the Leer-Papenburg club, working together with many people from the region, started to film 11 of the 13 HUMAN themes.
The result is an extraordinary, socio-cultural cinema film involving around 200 people from theatre, dance and human rights groups, school classes, church parishes, associations, aid organisations and a retirement home … Click here for more information. 

human advertising material

For own projects and supporters

Are you planning your own HUMAN event or would you like to bring our project to the world? Contact us, to receive free tickets and posters.

All important information about the HUMAN International Culture project at a glance, in our six-column leaflet.

For mailing or distribution, available in German and English.

Event notices for your own HUMAN projects can be printed on the open space.

human network

For further materials

Numerous institutions and organisations committed to human rights provide materials for education in and out of school, for example:

Amnesty Internationl (NGO)

“Courage needs protection”

Advocates for people who are discriminated against, persecuted, arrested or tortured because of their opinions or political activities. Amnesty international (AI) creates publicity through campaigns and makes it clear, among other things through letter campaigns to those in positions of responsibility, that human rights violations will not be overlooked. Focus: political prisoners, torture. AI is a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and the world’s largest human rights organisation. (Links only available in German)

Website
Materials

Youth for Amnesty (NGO)

“Brings together young people from human rights work”.

The youth organisation of Amnesty International. It aims to advocate for human rights through creative actions and campaigns to raise public awareness on the issue of human rights violations.

Website
Materials

Human Rights Watch (NGO)

„Defending Human Rights Worldwide“

Draws attention to human rights violations worldwide, “gives victims a voice”. The aim of the international work is to create legal and moral foundations for lasting change towards more justice and an end to human rights violations. A Fundamental Rights Report on the situation of civil and human rights in Germany is published annually.

Website
Materials

The International League for Human Rights (NGO)

“In the spirit of Carl von Ossietzky”.

Advocates for people who are discriminated against, persecuted, arrested or tortured because of their opinions or political activities. Amnesty international (AI) creates publicity through campaigns and makes it clear, among other things through letter campaigns to those in positions of responsibility, that human rights violations will not be overlooked. Focus: political prisoners, torture. AI is a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and the world’s largest human rights organisation. (Links only available in German)

Website

German Institute for Human Rights e.V.

“Committed to human rights”

Funded by the Bundestag, it is “Germany’s independent national human rights institution. It works to ensure that Germany upholds and promotes human rights at home and abroad. The Institute also accompanies and monitors the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and has established corresponding monitoring bodies for this purpose.”

Website
Materials

Bread for the world

“Dignity for the human being”

Draws attention to human rights violations worldwide, “gives victims a voice”. The aim of the international work is to create legal and moral foundations for lasting change towards more justice and an end to human rights violations. A Fundamental Rights Report on the situation of civil and human rights in Germany is published annually.

Website
Materials

Misereor (relief organisation of the Catholic Church)

“Everything that is right for people”

Together with local partners, supports projects in Asia, Africa, Oceania and Latin America in the sense of helping people to help themselves. Central themes are the fight for human rights, for accessible drinking water, the fight against AIDS, climate change and urban poverty. Typical areas of work are development of the health system, adult education, promotion of small businesses, self-help housing, promotion of women. Numerous materials for educational work.

Website
Materials

Reporters without Borders (NGO)

“Freedom of the press is a human right”

Is an internationally active non-governmental organisation and campaigns worldwide for freedom of the press and against censorship. With reference to the right to freedom of opinion and expression, it is committed, among other things, to journalists imprisoned for political reasons. Offers for young people, world map of press freedom.

Website
Materials

Terre des Hommes Germany e.V. (NGO)

“Help for children in need”

Advocates for the human rights of children by supporting projects worldwide against hunger, child labour, child prostitution, child trafficking and their use as child soldiers. We “help refugee children, care for victims of war, violence and abuse and provide education and training”. In the “International Youth Network” or also “National Youth Network” of terre des hommes, young people are committed to the rights of children and young people. Terre des Hommes offers numerous teaching ideas, materials and action proposals on the topic of “children’s rights”.

Website
Materials

Terre des Femmes e.V. (NGO)

“Women’s rights are human rights!”

Is committed to combating discrimination against women worldwide and advocates for an equal and self-determined life for women and girls. The focus is on the fight against domestic and sexual violence, forced marriage and honour crimes, female genital mutilation as well as trafficking in women and prostitution. (Links only available in German).

Website

Sea Bridge (NGO)

“Creates safe havens!”

Opposes the criminalisation of sea rescue and demands safe escape routes and humane reception of people who have had to flee from politics. Safe havens: Municipalities and districts that welcome these people form a counter-voice to the policy of sealing people off. The intention is that people everywhere join and plan actions themselves.

Website

Anti-Slavery International (NGO)

„Today´s fight for tomorrow´s freedom“

Describes “modern slavery” in terms of exploitation through forced labour, prostitution, underpayment, forced marriage, eviction and other forms of exploitation of lack of rights and poverty. A quarter of “modern slaves” are children. There are projects in numerous countries together with local organisations.

Website

The Earth Charter (NGO)

“Another world is possible – if we live differently!”

Understands itself as an “inspiring vision of fundamental ethical principles for the development of a just, sustainable and peaceful global society in the 21st century”. It aims to create a transition to a sustainable way of life and human development. The Ecumenical Initiative One World is the German coordinating body of the international Earth Charter movement.

Website Earth Charter
Website german coordination office

ACAT e.V. (NGO)

“Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture”.

Is an international, Christian human rights organisation. Christians of different denominations are committed to the abolition of torture. They want to encourage Christians and Christian churches “to a credible commitment against the death penalty and torture. (Links only available in German)

Website

Youth Foundation Baden-Württemberg

“Human Rights – Your Rights: Diversity Does Good”

Aims to support young people’s own initiative, their voluntary commitment and assumption of responsibility through counselling and promotion. The foundation issues publications and working materials and invites to further training courses. It addresses volunteers and professionals from the youth education sector.

Website

The Alb Alliance for Human Rights

“Against group-related hostility towards human beings”.

Is an association of institutions and persons from districts in Baden-Württemberg. The alliance has set itself the goal of being concretely and locally active in the Swabian Alb region. The aim is to deal with misanthropy, to provide counselling, professional networking, and to develop training modules for youth social work and education. (Links only available in German).

Website

City of Nuremberg

“City of Human Rights”

Nuremberg was the city of the Reich Party Rallies, where anti-Jewish race laws were passed, but it was also the site of the Nuremberg Trials against war criminals of the Nazi regime. The city is particularly committed to human rights.

The Human Rights Office 
(municipal institution) designs, coordinates and implements the human rights activities of the City of Nuremberg. This includes holding events, counselling and accompanying people who have experienced discrimination, developing projects to anchor human rights education in school and extracurricular education.

Website

The Nuremberg Human Rights Centre e.V. is an independent, non-profit association that is supported exclusively by the voluntary work of the active members of the association. It campaigns for human rights at local, national and international level.

Website

United Nations (UN)

“For the rights of all people”

Have published the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights” in 1948. The original resolution in German can be found here. Numerous commissions and committees as well as High Commissioners and Special Rapporteurs are concerned with human rights: UN Human Rights Committee, UN Human Rights Council, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and others.

Website

“For me, it was natural to take part in a project on the topic of “human rights” because, in my opinion, human rights in themselves are a matter of course. Every person in the world should have the same chances and opportunities to live a happy and fulfilling life. We all know that there is still a long way to go and that is why we should keep campaigning for a fairer world. Being able to do this in such a creative way as in the “HUMAN” project was of course also fun, despite the serious background.“

Jennifer Großer

Social education worker at the Tannenhof girls’ residential group on the film project HUMANrights – 75 years of human rights

‘It’s great how HUMAN music and dancing together open the doors to a new shared school living and learning space. Here, the 160 students, 32 teachers and 41 educators involved come together without language to form a large community: what a wonderful plea for more humanity across all borders.’

Margaretha Bennert-Bürgler

Deputy Head of School at St. Franziskus School about the vision of the inclusive, intergenerational HUMAN Community Dance project in cooperation with St. Benno-Gymnasium (Dresden, November 2024)

‘Dance creates connection. The HUMAN project allows the often abstract idea of human rights to be visualised through movement. Humanity is the ability to develop a deeper understanding of each other and a stronger connection through shared experiences and forms of expression.’

Tami Lou Ollhäuser

Teacher, Gemeinschaftsschule Gebhard Konstanz, director of the HUMAN Community Dance Project (October 2024)

‘Dance means learning with all the senses and with the body. A project that translates human rights into dance opens up a valuable experiential space to experience the foundations of social coexistence, such as tolerance, respect, cooperation and communication, on a completely different level.’

Charlotte Dreßen

Director, Gebhard Community School Constance, HUMAN Community Dance Project (October 2024)

‘Community is reflected in the interactions of our students. Where, if not in dance, can togetherness open up a space for so much more?’

Ann-Kathrin Speidel

Teacher, Gemeinschaftsschule Gebhard Konstanz, HUMAN Community Dance Project (October 2024)

“The HUMAN Project is designed to empower young people and help them flourish!”

Helge Burggrabe

HUMAN Initiator and composer of HUMAN music

“Even the first rehearsal together was full of touching, humorous, tense moments. It was a great feeling to experience how intensively the students had already engaged with human rights and music. I’m looking forward to the big performance in June.”

Lena Simon

Cultural Office of the City of Wolfenbüttel, Head of the HUMAN Project at the Lessingtheater Wolfenbüttel

“The German-Polish student encounter week in connection with the HUMAN project days was the most impressive thing that ever took place at our secondary school. The 45 children from Germany, Ukraine, Kosovo, Albania, Serbia, Northern Macedonia, Hungary, Syria, Spain and Peru also rose above themselves in the Community Dance. What a touching and moving sign for more humanity!”

Gabriele Lechner

Headmaster of Pfeffenhausen Primary and Secondary School on the HUMAN Community Dance Workshop with the partner school Szkoła Podstawowa Poland

“Participating in the Human International Cultural Dance Project in Pfeffenhausen was an unforgettable adventure and a beautiful learning experience for the Polish students.”

Barbara Dzikowska

Barbara Dzikowska, teacher and partnership officer, on the HUMAN Community Dance Workshop, Szkoła Podstawowa and Pfeffenhausen Primary and Secondary School

“The dance project was very special. It was so nice to see how much joy the impaired people had to be able to dance with us.”

Anina Hartmann

Participant of the first inclusive HUMAN project in June 2021, Rudolf Steiner School Zürcher Oberland/Wetzikon

“Unbelievable what the group has worked out on human rights in such a short time. The implementation turned out beautifully and touched me very much.”

Mirjam Rohde

Class teacher 12a, on the HUMAN dance project at the Ida-Ehre-Gemeinschaftsschule, Bad Oldesloe (March 2023)

“Very much I hope that many will be inspired by the innovative and exciting HUMAN Culture Project and the young people’s commitment to human rights. It is with pleasure that our university contributes to this.”

Karin Luckey

Rektorin der Hochschule Bremen (bis 8/2023)

“The project was a completely new dance experience and a really nice togetherness, without any pressure of grades. We could all get involved and problems were dealt with directly.”

Nele

Pupil of the 12th grade on the HUMAN dance project at the Ida-Ehre-Gemeinschaftsschule Bad Oldesloe (March 2023)

“During the project we started to think more about the topic of human rights. The thoughts about the fact that some privileges like the right to work or education do not exist in many countries did not let us go. We don’t even think about it anymore because we seem to take these rights for granted, but through the intense immersion through movement and words, we realized how much we still have to struggle in this area.”

Eva Beilharz und Merle Horn

Pupils of the 12th grade of the Freie Waldorfschule in Freudenstadt.

“Young people who are interested in people in other countries develop a deep understanding of a Europe of diversity, of a Europe of peace and democracy. This is the great pound of this school partnership and the HUMAN performance for it a powerful, distinctive sign.”

Ruth Müller, MdL (SPD)

Deputy Chairwoman of the SPD in the Bavarian State Parliament, County Councilor in the County of Landshut

“It was an exciting and intense week where the students pushed themselves to their limits while living ‘humanity’ with grace and energy. A wonderful experience for all involved!”

Barbara Meyer und Annette Bildhauer

Teachers at the Gymnasium am Wall in Verden/Aller

“The HUMAN International Culture Project as a process of human rights education honours human rights and also all the contributors to it.”

Gerhard Ziener

Author and Lecturer, Pedagogical-Theological Centre Stuttgart

“Don’t be afraid to be big, it was one of the best experiences of my life.”

Joana Laranjeira

Participant of the “Five days to dance” Erasmus+ project in Meppel, The Netherlands

“Well, I think human rights are an incredibly brilliant idea! That man as a species, which is very much characterized by ‘survival of the fittest’, can conceive of such ideals of equality, freedom and connectedness, that is a phenomenal achievement.”

Morten Reisemann

Ensemble member, HUMAN dance premiere Bremen

“A project like HUMAN emphasizes what unites all people and makes us think about how important human rights are. I’m happy to contribute to making society more aware of their importance.”

Julio Fernández

Conductor of the HUMAN Community premiere Bremen

“For me, HUMAN is the chance of an intercultural embrace between people who value life.”

David Cisternas

Violinist and dramaturge of the Konsonanz chamber ensemble

“HUMAN offers an inspiring and empowering opportunity for youth and all others involved to work together on an artistic project, and with a focus on the values, needs, and desires common to all people, to creatively counter the current tide of global issues that are shaking our inner stability.”

Susan Barnett

HUMAN Community Dance choreography team

“Dancing together is so wonderful. Because dance is a great language that all people understand. I take great joy in expressing the 13 pieces on being human. I’ve really been bitten by the dance bug!”

Yeroh Saw

Ensemble member, HUMAN dance premiere Bremen

“For me, the HUMAN performance expressed a new human right, as essential as any other: the right to be who you are!”

Yann Lenggenhager

History Teacher, Lead Educator Robert F Kennedy Human Rights, Switzerland

“With HUMAN, we want to encourage young people to develop their personal strengths and visions with the goal of going their own way as part of a free and tolerant society.

Kurt de Prins

Principal of IMELDA High School in Molenbeek

“The HUMAN project means for us as a label: empathy and enthusiasm to put the UN human rights in music and dance in a completely new way in sound and image.”

Marcus Heinicke

Senior Product Manager at Edel Kultur/Berlin Classics

“The HUMAN evening carried us away. Mutual union and decoding of movement and music. Profound and joyful at the same time. A moving reminder of human rights, which are so precious and so threatened.”

Katharina Vollmer

Pastor, Swiss German Reformed Parish of Geneva, on the HUMAN performance on UN Human Rights Day, Dec. 10, 2022 at the Temple de Madeleine.

“More than ever, our world needs humanity. So I am very happy that HUMAN wants to overcome opposites with young people in order to realize the dream of equality and unity of cultures in a loving and humane way.”

Aldegonde Brenninkmeijer-Werhahn

Initiator of the HUMAN performance in Brussels

“For me, HUMAN is about essentials: beyond language and cultural barriers, we are all first and foremost human beings – with bodies that want to move. Community dance can break down walls and build bridges! So let’s dance!”

Nanni Kloke

Leitung HUMAN Choreographie Team

“For me, dance makes my world better. I tell stories and images with it. It’s something very unique, intimate, and at the same time, very communal.”

Mina Raschiatore

Ensemble member, HUMAN dance premiere Bremen

“Dancing together is an ideal platform to meet each other with openness, respect and acceptance.”

Wilfried van Poppel

Choreography HUMAN Community Dance premiere and direction of HUMAN school projects “Five days to dance”.

“It is a very special opportunity to share with others and through HUMAN and dance theater to bring body movements, images and demands for human rights such as freedom, equality, creativity … forever into the world.”

Pablo García Bartolomé

Psychologist specializing in art therapy, community health and health education.

“Being HUMAN is our reality, but feeling HUMAN is our right. Through this project and through dance, we want to invite participants to love and express life, to feel, to understand and to work together for a better world.”

Amaya Lubeigt

Choreography HUMAN Community Dance premiere and direction of HUMAN school projects.

“Movement arises out of itself, that’s how I dance. Doing this for human rights holds archaic moments and touches my heart – it is healing. Taking the movement of our VALUES into the world is just wonderful.”

Andrea M. Nossem

Participant of the HUMAN dance project with free dance in munich, germany.

“It’s about self-confidence. HUMAN is a very beautiful project where you can express yourself, and I think that’s great.”

Rita Pereira

Participant of the “Five days to dance” – Erasmus project in the Lernhaus am Campus in Osterholz-Scharmbeck

“Edris – a young Afghan who danced in this project won my heart! Between despair and tears in his eyes from laughter, he made me live through everything in the four days. At the end, he gave me a Turkish euro, which he probably had with him as a good luck charm on his escape. It was really as if someone was pressing a gold treasure into my hand out of sheer gratitude of being seen. THAT touched and impressed me deeply.”

Nina Baldinger

Choreographer, leader of a HUMAN community dance project in Freiburg (2022), with 20 people from 7 different nations.

“Participation in the Human Project has given me the opportunity, through the expression of dance, to recognize and communicate universal sensations and feelings of human rights in a wonderful and, for me, unknown atmosphere. Both in terms of the artistic situation and the group of people who participated in this project. A hug for all of you!”

Gloria Madrigal Mir

Participant in a HUMAN dance project in Asturias, summer 2022

“Expressing in free dance what shows up moment to moment on these compositions by Helge Burggrabe on elemental themes of being human, unites us as a group and brings our individual expression of humanity to the world. From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU for this great gift!”

Oranna Erb

Direction of the HUMAN dance project with free dance in Munich

“The idea of the Human Project is to bring young people together, to give them a voice so they can be heard individually and collectively.”

Royston Maldoom

Artistic accompaniment choreography

“With a dance project like HUMAN, everyone can participate. There is consideration for one’s own abilities and the best is brought out.”

Madita Brünjes

Ensemble member, HUMAN dance premiere Bremen

“To participate in a community dance project means for me to be able to express myself without borders. In HUMAN, this is how we present the basic rights of humanity, which unfortunately are not respected in many countries.”

Sandra Calvo Pastor

Ensemble member, HUMAN dance premiere Bremen

» We are tonight in the HUMAN dance project spectators or participants of a new human-human relationship without ifs and buts. […] The only essential thing is the encounter at the same eye level in the presence of the full individuality of each other. «

Domenig Christian Gaegauf

Initiator of the first inclusive HUMAN dance project in Switzerland (June 2021)

“A great project! I wish all participants deep lasting and happy impressions and encounters. I would love to dance along immediately! Hopefully the message will also reach places and people where it is especially needed, so that human rights can really be rights of all people.”

Julia Jentsch

Film and theater actress

“Human rights are the minimum framework on the basis of which the individual can develop. Therefore, they must be collectively demanded and protected. In the workshop team formed by Amaya and Wilfried, we are all pieces of a beautiful puzzle whose elements fit together to form a whole. But the message is never clear, it requires audience members who are challenged by what happens on stage.”

Angélica López de la Manzanara

Lawyer, participant in the HUMAN Community Dance project in Asturias in the summer of 2022.

“Human encounter in movement, where the spark jumps before the dance begins. And suddenly we spectators are also part of this warm-hearted community of people who are all on our way.

Semya Ayoubi

Visitor to the HUMAN Community Dance performance at the inclusive European Congress “Moving Borders” 16.6.2022, Zurich

“Dancing with people is always very moving and fills the heart immensely, especially when you see so many different people who didn’t know each other before dancing a piece like HUMAN together on stage.”

Susanne Eule

Choreographer, director of a HUMAN community dance project in Freiburg (2022) with 20 people from 7 nations.

The moving engagement with human rights set positive processes in motion in the participants and promoted and enriched communication between all.

Katharina Gutzeit

Dance teacher and cultural mediator, leader of a HUMAN dance project at the Ida-Ehre-Gemeinschaftsschule Bad Oldesloe (2023)

“It fills me with great joy and confidence to weave in free dance, together with other dancers, the loving, appreciative togetherness of the human family.”

Vera Griebert-Schröder

Participant of the HUMAN project with free dance and Conscious Dance, Munich

“The music and the dance express what cannot be said and about which it is impossible to be silent. Man must not be silent and must not be silenced. That is why we dance.”

Mareike Windorf

Managing Director, German Chamber Orchestra Berlin

“Project HUMAN is about all of us. Regardless of your skin color, country of origin, age, background, disability or culture, it’s about you. And it’s a privilege to be a part of it!”

Albino Moura

Principal Escola de Dança Lugar Presente, Viseu-Portugal, partner in the Erasmus project
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