100% human dignity: Gronau schools set a joint example

What happens when hundreds of schoolchildren take a stand together?
This is exactly what became visible in Gronau's city park: a strong image was created from many individual people - 100% human dignity.

April 7, 2026 by Daniel Kampmann
A bird's eye view shows a large group of pupils standing close together and forming the number "100 %". The numbers and the percentage sign are clearly recognizable due to the arrangement of the people. Below the formation is a long banner with the inscription "Human dignity - together against racism". The photo shows the entire group from above and makes the shape of the number clearly visible.
© Comprehensive School Gronau
A large group of pupils stand on a green area and form a long line. In the foreground is a large orange banner with the words "Human dignity - together against racism". The people are standing close together and are mostly wearing jackets. Trees and a cloudy sky can be seen in the background. The scene shows a large gathering of pupils outdoors.
© Comprehensive School Gronau
Teachers and pupils gather around the banner "Human dignity - together against racism", which is part of the joint campaign as part of the International Weeks against Racism.

On March 17, 2026, pupils from Gronau's secondary schools gathered in the park by the water tower to make a joint statement as part of the International Weeks against Racism. Under the motto "100% human dignity - together against racism and right-wing extremism", large groups of pupils from each school came together and filled the meadow with life, movement and a clear stance.

From the air, it became clear what the action was intended to express: Human dignity applies to everyone - without exception.

However, the impact of the campaign went far beyond the resulting image. The decisive factor was the shared experience: schools that work separately in everyday life stood side by side for the same values.

Taking responsibility together

All of the town's secondary schools were involved: Gronau Comprehensive School, Euregio Comprehensive School Epe, Werner-von-Siemens-Gymnasium, Fridtjof-Nansen-Realschule and Driland Kolleg. The campaign was supported by local stakeholders from the School without Racism - School with Courage network, the integration work in Gronau and the Municipal Integration Center of the Borken district. A central element was the large banner, which was provided by the Municipal Integration Center and can also be used for other campaigns in the city in the future.

More than a one-off moment

The campaign in the Stadtpark does not stand alone. It is part of an ongoing commitment by schools to actively address issues such as racism, exclusion and social responsibility.

A bird's eye view shows a large group of pupils standing close together and forming the number "100 %". The numbers and the percentage sign are clearly recognizable due to the arrangement of the people. Below the formation is a long banner with the inscription "Human dignity - together against racism". The photo shows the entire group from above and makes the shape of the number clearly visible.
© Comprehensive School Gronau
Pupils from secondary schools in Gronau form the number "100%" and send a joint signal for human dignity as part of the International Weeks against Racism.


This commitment can also be seen in various projects at our school:
Pupils regularly take part in cleaning the Stolpersteine in Gronau, explore the history of Jewish life and have gained insights into living religion and the culture of remembrance during a visit to the synagogue in Enschede.
Such experiences create understanding - and they make it clear that it is not just about symbolic actions, but about a long-term attitude.

School without racism - school with courage

As part of the School without Racism - School with Courage network, we are committed to actively combating discrimination and promoting respectful coexistence. The "100% human dignity" campaign is a visible expression of this commitment.
It demonstrates this: Attitude is not only created in the classroom, but above all when people become active together.

A strong signal for the future

The images of this day will remain. But even more important is the message behind them:
Human dignity is non-negotiable. It applies - 100%.

A group of twelve adults stand on a meadow in the foreground and look into the camera. They are teachers and representatives of various schools and institutions. Behind them, a large human chain of many pupils stretches across the school grounds. The people are standing close together on a green area, some wearing jackets and coats. Trees with fresh leaves and an overcast sky can be seen in the background. The scene shows a collective action on the school grounds.
© Comprehensive School Gronau
Teachers and representatives of participating schools and institutions stand in front of the human chain, with which pupils from secondary schools in Gronau set an example for human dignity.

People in the picture (from left to right):

Mr. Geukes (Deputy Headmaster, WvSG), Ms. Springer (SV teacher, WvSG), Mr. Herden (Headmaster, WvSG), Mr. Uhlenbrock (Teacher, Comprehensive School Gronau), Ms. Möllers-Sadlowski (Integration Agency Gronau DRK), Mr. Smit (1. Konrektor, FNRS), Ms. Dammann (Teacher, Euregio-Gesamtschule Epe), Mr. Kampmann (Teacher, Gesamtschule Gronau), Mr. Brüggemann (Regional Coordinator SoR/SmC Kreis Borken), Mr. Zink (Teacher, Driland Kolleg), Mr. Keesen (Headmaster, Driland Kolleg), Mr. Werz (Integration Officer, City of Gronau)