Recently, the debate about “child poverty”, “neglect”, “youth crime” and “failed integration” has been lively. Experts from a range of different fields are analysing the issue – the results are varied and often the suggested solutions are absurd. But something is happening – especially around Rütli Schule. Two years ago, an open letter from the school teaching staff inspired a Germany-wide debate about education policy and integration. What’s quicker than revisiting this debate? Simply trying out new things and seeing if a fresh approach doesn’t give better results? Children and young people in disadvantaged city districts are often hit especially hard – here, they and their parents are often badly affected by poverty. Here, children and young people often experience violence – in varying degrees – at a relatively young age, and they hardly know anything else. After leaving school, they usually look forward to “Hartz IV” (unemployment benefit or social welfare support). Children and young people in areas like the Kiez need extra support.

“Rütli Campus” is designed for pre-school age children and youngsters about to start their careers – it should become a lifeline. Here, all youngsters are supervised by professional educationalists and social workers who help support their talents. This is the only way to promote equal opportunities.

“Rütli Campus” was symbolically started on 30 January 2008: Christina Rau, who is the patron, together with Ingeborg Junge-Reyer, Senator for Urban Development, and Jürgen Zöllner, Senator for Education, Science and Research, as well as pupil representatives from Rütli, Heinrich Heine and Franz Schubert Schools hoisted the flags with the Campus logo in front of Rütli Schule. A symbolic gesture – showing that the wind has changed here!