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The Existential Pedagogy Network in Germany
Inspired and deeply convinced by Existential Pedagogy, Esther Kohl launched the first call for interested individuals in Germany in the summer of 2021 through the GLE-D newsletter. She reached out to professionals working in pedagogical fields based on Existential Analysis (EA) or influenced by their existential-analytical training. By the end of 2021, fifteen people had already joined the network—many of them had long been waiting for an opportunity to exchange ideas with like-minded professionals about their practical work.
The network members come from a wide range of professions related to working with children, adolescents, and their parents, including school education, social pedagogy, psychotherapy, the arts, medicine, and academia. What unites them is their reflection and active engagement at the intersection of psychotherapy and pedagogy, making their exchange both exciting and enriching.
The goal of this network is to spread the ideas and principles of Existential Pedagogy in Germany. It aims to make the unique educational approach of Existential Pedagogy comprehensible and accessible: As educators, we ourselves are the most essential educational tool, and we must ensure that this tool is always in tune.
The anthropological view of Logotherapy and Existential Analysis shapes our existential-pedagogical practice. Every young person is to be accompanied in discovering the potential of their person, in developing it, and in strengthening their capacity for self-formation, so that they may come to the fourfold inner consent to their life. The key question guiding our work is: "What does this child need from me right now?"
The Institute for Existential Pedagogy, founded in Austria in 2019, provides the theoretical orientation and organizational foundation for the activities of the German network. The board of the Institute, led by Eva Maria Waibel, supports us in all our undertakings.
Within the first one and a half years, the circle of network members has already grown to 23 persons. At present, communication takes place mainly through e-mails, phone calls, Zoom meetings, and occasional personal encounters of individual members. Contacts are established between members in response to specific questions and concerns, enabling us to support one another in our projects. Regular circular mails keep everyone informed about the most recent developments in Existential Pedagogy: opportunities for further training, upcoming events, and newly published books. With the expansion of online offerings, those of us in Germany have found it easier to participate in events in Austria and Switzerland. The first highlight of our involvement from Germany was our active contribution to the symposium “Self.Value.Meaning: A Pedagogical Treasure Hunt” in Feldkirch, Austria, marking the third anniversary of the Institute’s founding in June 2022, where we presented both a lecture and a workshop.
The greatest achievement of our network so far has been the preparation of the pedagogical symposium at the International GLE Congress in Berlin 2024. Competent and committed colleagues have submitted abstracts for presentations, enabling us to shape two sections with a total of six lectures from within our network. We will share insights from our diverse practical work across different age groups and institutions in various cities throughout Germany. What unites us is the fascination with the depth of human existence in Existential Analysis, which — through our values and our existential-pedagogical attitude — provides us with grounding in our personal encounters with others. To further refine and deepen our own personhood, we have woven the bond of this network: to exchange, to strengthen, and to support one another. In this shared dialogue, new ideas and impulses emerge for our pedagogical self-understanding and for our existential-pedagogical practice in everyday educational settings.
Network Coordinator – Existential Pedagogy in Germany
Esther Kohl
History of IfEP
2017
Eva Maria Waibel and Thomas Happ initiate the idea of founding an association dedicated to the further development and dissemination of Existential Pedagogy.
2018
Additional partners join the initiative: Doris and Andreas Hausheer as well as Veronika Möltner.
April 15, 2019
First strategy retreat in Dornbirn, where the institute’s name – Selbst.Wert.Sinn (Self.Value.Meaning) – Institute for Existential Pedagogy – emerged, and where the foundational ideas and intentions where further clarified and deepened.
June 19, 2019
Submission of the association's statutes to the Dornbirn District Authority for recognition as a nonprofit organization.
June 24, 2019
Approval of the statutes, initially with Eva Maria Waibel as Chairperson and Thomas Happ as Secretary.
Summer 2019
Designing the website, developing a training program, clarifying memberships, cooperation formats, and target groups; and drafting the concept for a regular newsletter.
October 5-6, 2019
Second strategy retreat in Innsbruck with Thomas Happ, Veronika Möltner, Andreas and Doris Hausheer, Karoline Graswander-Hainz, and Eva Maria Waibel. Task distribution: Andreas Hausheer becomes Vice Chairperson. Doris Hausheer becomes Deputy Secretary.
Development of a flyer and finalization of the training program.
February 23, 2020
Third strategy retreat in Berlin, marking the start of regular educational trips to Elisabethstift. Karoline Graswander-Hainz steps down from the board due to her career-related studies. Christoph Wund joins the board as Treasurer. Development of the IfEP logo.
From March 2020
Cancellation of in-person events due to COVID-19 and transition to digital formats.
Summer/Fall 2020
Shift of activities to internal projects due to COVID-19.
Preparation of the book "Wertschätzung wirkt Wunder. Perspektiven Existenzieller Pädagogik". Creation of a brochure that opens an accessible path into the world of Existential Pedagogy by Doris and Andreas Hausheer. Revision of membership management.
October 5, 2020
Book presentation of "Wertschätzung wirkt Wunder" at the Dornbirn City Library.
Fall/Winter 2020/21
Hosting of numerous online events.
February 4, 2021
Fireside conversation with the members to reflect on and further develop the training program. Emerging idea: to offer four thematic evening sessions per year in response to the growing number of members.
March – December 2020
Five online board meetings.
January – December 2021
Eight online board meetings.
First general assembly, re-election of the board, and approval of the financial statement. As of September 2021, a new distribution of responsibilities within the board.
July 3, 2021
Fourth strategy retreat in Klaus.
Decision to include advisory board members to strengthen the team:
Kerstin Ibele Llambés
Andreas Moz
Bettina Speckle
Jasmine Vallaster
Launch of Instagram and Facebook presence.
Summer 2021
Foundation of the Existential Pedagogy Network in Germany by Esther Kohl ([Link]).
Fall 2021
Dornbirn Sparkasse Innovation Award.
October 11, 2021
First meeting of the organization team for the symposium "Selbst.Wert.Sinn – A Pedagogical Treasure Hunt".
Eight planning meetings and approximately 1,000 volunteer hours contributed.
June 24, 2022
First symposium titled "Selbst.Wert.Sinn – A Pedagogical Treasure Hunt" at Pförtnerhaus in Feldkirch with 250 participants.
September 2022
Launch of the Master’s program at PH Linz.
Highlights from our Thematic Evening Series:
- March 17, 2021 – Implementation of Existential Pedagogy
- June 9, 2021 – Parental work from an Existential Pedagogy perspective
- September 9, 2021 – Daniela Klingler: Value- and meaning-oriented pedagogy in kindergartens
- November 30, 2021 – Presentation of the brochure "Von Selbstwert und Eigensinn"
- February 7, 2022 – Help, not again! – Handling challenging behaviour with composure
- June 13, 2022 – Gunther Hessel: Wars, Crises, and Catastrophes
- September 19, 2022 – Eva Maria Waibel: Book presentation "Haltung gibt Halt"
- November 28, 2022 – Doris and Andreas Hausheer: Catch me when I’m at my best! – Working with potential
Symposium Selbst-Wert-Sinn 2022
Jugendkongress 2023
Existenzielle Themen in Kinderbüchern (nach Daniela Klingler)
ERSTE GRUNDMOTIVATION:
Paul Friester, Philippe Goossens: Heule Eule
Peter Reynolds: Ramons Atelier
Stefan Gemmel, Marie-José Sacré: Du bist richtig, wie du bist
Joanna Gaines, Julianna Swaney: Die Welt braucht dich. Genau so, wie du bist
Jane Chapman: Ich halt dich fest, mein Kleiner
Susan Verde, Peter H. Reynolds: Ich bin ein Mensch. Über die Kraft des Mitgefühls
ZWEITE GRUNDMOTIVATION:
Kathrin Schärer: Da sein – Was fühlst du?
Neele, Marta Balmaseda: Ich mag dich – einfach so!
Lorenz Pauli, Kathrin Schärer: Das Beste überhaupt – Meerschwein sein
Liz Garton Scanlon , Audrey Vernick: Fünf Minuten. Das ist ganz schön lang. Nein, ist es nicht. Doch, ist es.
Antje Damm: Alle Zeit der Welt. Moritz Verlag
Anna Schindler, Billy Bock: Ein Glas Zeit
Bettina Obrecht, Julie Völk: Dann gehe ich jetzt, sagte die Zeit
DRITTE GRUNDMOTIVATION:
Mira Lobe, Susi Weigel: Das kleine Ich bin Ich
Birgitta Sif: Frieda tanzt
Martin Fuchs, Hildegard Müller: Nein heißt Nein, sagte die Maus
Rachel Bright, Jim Field: Trau dich Koalabär
Heidi Leenen, Lisa Hänsch, Ramona Wultschner: Emma: Ohe dich wär` die Welt nur halb so schön!
Susan Verde, Peter H. Reynolds: Ich bin die Liebe. Über die Kraft der Herzlichkeit
Kim Hillyard und Silke Kleemann: Hedwig will hoch hinaus - Eine Geschichte über den Glauben an sich selbst
Philipp Waechter: ich
Karl Newson, Kate Hindley: Ich bin fast genau wie du
Susa Apenrade, Miriam Cordes: Ich bin stark, ich sag laut Nein! So werden Kinder selbstbewusst
Frank Murphy, Carla Murphy, Kayla Harren: Ein Mädchen wie du
Frank Murphy, Kayla Harren: Ein Junge wie du
Trudy Ludwig, Patrice Barton: Der unsichtbare Junge
VIERTE GRUNDMOTIVATION/SINN:
Kobi Yamada, Mae Besom: Was macht man mit einer Chance?
Kobi Yamada, Gabriella Barouch: Vielleicht
Kobi Yamada, Mae Besom: Was macht man mit einer Idee?
Rachel Bright, Jim Field: Der Löwe in dir
Oliver Jeffers: Hier sind wir. Anleitung zum Leben auf der Erde
Susanna Isern, Ana Gomez: Ella Piratella
STÄRKUNG DER PERSON/ENTFALTUNG DER POTENZIALITÄT:
Werner Hozwarth, Stefanie Jeschke: Ich wär so gern … dachte das Erdmännchen
Lorenz Pauli, Kathrin Schärer: Mutig, mutig
Miriam Cordes: Wir sind stark
Juli Zeh, Dunja Schnabel: Jetzt bestimme ich!
Anne Hassel/Eva Künzel: König Theodor
Susan Verde, Peter H. Reynolds: Ich bin der Anfang. Über die Kraft des Handelns
GEMEINSAMKEIT:
Lorenz Pauli, Kathirn Schärer: nur wir alle
Kerstin Schoene: Ein Haufen Freunde hält zusammen
Daniela Kunkel: Das kleine WIR
Kerstin Schoene: Ein Haufen Freunde - ganz schön stark!
Daniela Kulot: Zusammen!
Alicia Potter, Birgitta Sif: Henriettes Heim für schüchterne und ängstliche Katzen
IM DIALOG SEIN:
Heinz Janisch, Silke Leffler: Ich habe ein kleines Problem, sagte der Bär
Lena Raubbaum, Clara Frühwirth: Die Knotenlöserin
HERAUSFORDERNDES VERHALTEN:
Rachel Bright, Jim Field: Die Streithörnchen
Heinz Jarisch, Helga Bansch: Die Brücke
David McKee: Du hast angefangen – Nein du!
Claude Boujon, Tilde Michels: Karni und Nickel oder Der große Krach
WIEDERGUTMACHUNG:
Moritz Petz, Amélie Jackowski: Der Dachs hat heute schlechte Laune
Eulàlia Canal, Rocio Bonilla: Drei ist keiner zu viel
ERMUTIGUNG:
Peter H. Reynolds: Der Punkt (da gibt es auf Youtube auch einen Film)
Lu Fraser, Kate Hindley: Elli, die Kleinste von allen
FEHLERFREUNDLICHKEIT:
Sven Nordqvist: Schau mal, was ich kann, Petterson!
Lena Hesse: Was Besonderes
LANGEWEILE:
Rocio Bonilla: Langweilst du dich, Minimia?
Henrike Wilson: Ganz schön langweilig!
Moritz Petz, Amélie Jackowski (2021): Der Dachs hat heute Langeweile
Claude K. Dubois: Pfff …
… Trotzdem Ja zum Leben sagen, Kummer und Sorgen
Tom Percival: Sophias Sorge
Rachel Bright und Chris Chatterton: Der Sorgosaurus
Regina Schwarz, Marion Goedelt: Pechvogel und Unglücksrabe
Daniel Fehr, Raphaël Kolly: Wird schon schiefgehen, Ente!
GLÜCK
Antonie Schneider, Susanne Straßer: Herr Glück und Frau Unglück
Davide Calì, Marco Somà: Der Glücksverkäufer
Cornelia Funke, Sybille Hein: Die Glücksfee
Daniela Cianciarulo, Isabella Cianciarulo, Birgit Antoni: Opa Henry sucht das Glück
Kobi Yamada, Charles Santoso: Das Glück in dir
Julia Volmert, Elke Broska: Ein Rucksack voller Glück
Annika Klee, Stella Eich: Zwei Mädchen im Glück
Educational Videos on Existential Pedagogy
eLecture Series for Virtual PH - Existential Pedagogy
The Great Educational Mistake – How We Create Narcissists (Lecture by Helene Drexler)
Downloadable Articles
Books Worth Reading
Existential Themes in Children's Books
Videos: Presentations from the Symposium "Self-Worth-Sense" 2022 (Access credentials required)
Videos: Existential Pedagogy
Impressions from the Youth Congress 2023
Folder: What Does This Child Need from Me Now?
These folders can be ordered for free at:
Brochure: Self-Worth and Individuality
This brochure can be ordered at:
Institut für Existenzielle Pädagogik
Schulgasse 7
6850 Dornbirn
Möchten Sie Näheres über Erziehung erfahren, ein praxisorientiertes und gleichzeitig fundiertes Konzept kennenlernen?
Haben Sie das Ziel, Ihr Kind durch Ihre Erziehung zu stärken?
Wollen Sie Ihrem Kind auf Augenhöhe begegnen?
Gibt es Erziehungssituationen, bei denen Sie unsicher sind, wie Sie sich einbringen könnten?
Bringen Sie manche Erziehungssituationen an Ihre Grenzen?
Möchten Sie Ihren Unterricht verändern?
Existenzielle Pädagogik – Eine pädagogische Schatzkiste
Begleiten – Begreifen – Begegnen
Die vier Grundmotivationen: pädagogische Entwicklungsfelder
Expedition Erziehung: Erziehung zwischen Freiheit und Grenzen
Motivierte Kinder – authentische Lehrpersonen
Einblicke - Durchblicke – Ausblicke
Would you like to learn more about education and discover a concept that is both practice-oriented and scientifically grounded?
Is it your aim to strengthen your child through your way of parenting?
Do you wish to meet your child at eye level?
Are there educational situations in which you feel uncertain about how to engage?
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Existential Pedagogy – An Educational Treasure Chest
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