When generations get talking - together against racism

What can commitment against racism look like - and what can different generations learn from each other? Pupils from our school discussed these questions with members of the "Grannies against the right" initiative. At a meeting at the end of February at Café Grenzenlos in Gronau, a lively dialog about democracy, civil courage and social responsibility ensued.

March 11, 2026 by Daniel Kampmann
In a large room at Café Grenzenlos, pupils from years 9 and 10 sit together with older participants in the "Grannies against the right" initiative. The people are spread around the room at several tables and sit opposite each other in small discussion groups. Some are sitting on chairs at tables with drinks and plates, others on sofas along the wall. Other groups can be seen in the background, also talking to each other.
© Comprehensive School Gronau

Pupils from the "School without Racism - School with Courage" group in an exchange with the "Grannies against the Right"

In a room at Café Grenzenlos, pupils sit at a large table together with older participants in the "Grannies against the right" initiative. On the table are plates of waffles, glasses and cups. Several young people sit on chairs around the table, while older participants sit next to them and also eat or talk. In the background is a large dark wooden cabinet with carved figures and decorations. One person hands a cup to a seated participant. Other discussion groups can be seen at a second table in the room.
© Comprehensive School Gronau
Over waffles and drinks, pupils from our school got talking to members of the "Grannies against the right" initiative at Café Grenzenlos.

After just a few minutes, it was clear that despite the large age difference, there were many common themes. The young people from years 9 and 10 got talking to the committed senior citizens in small table groups. Supported by freshly baked waffles, an open and personal atmosphere quickly developed. The "Du" offered made it easy for the participants to get into conversation with each other. The "grannies against the right", an initiative of committed citizens against right-wing extremism, talked about their commitment and why they continue to actively campaign for democracy and human rights even in retirement. For their part, the pupils described how they deal with issues of racism, discrimination and social diversity at school.

Several pupils sit at a large wooden table in Café Grenzenlos together with an older participant in the "Grannies against the right" initiative. On the table are plates of waffles, glasses, cups and various flyers and cards. The young people sit on chairs around the table and turn their attention to the conversation. The older participant in the middle speaks and gestures with his hand while the young people listen or smile. In the background, other participants are sitting on a sofa and at another table in the room. Behind them is a large dark cupboard with a glass cabinet.
© Comprehensive School Gronau
In small discussion groups, young people and older participants exchanged views on commitment against racism and democratic values.

Commitment against racism in everyday school life

In a large room at Café Grenzenlos, pupils from years 9 and 10 sit together with older participants in the "Grannies against the right" initiative. The people are spread around the room at several tables and sit opposite each other in small discussion groups. Some are sitting on chairs at tables with drinks and plates, others on sofas along the wall. Other groups can be seen in the background, also talking to each other.
© Comprehensive School Gronau
Pupils from our school talk to members of the "Grannies against the right" initiative at Café Grenzenlos.

The "School without Racism - School with Courage" group, which is supported by teachers Ralf Uhlenbrock and Daniel Kampmann, regularly organizes projects and activities on these topics. In recent months, several encounters and remembrance projects have also been on the agenda: for example, the pupils visited the synagogue in Enschede, learned about the Syrian Orthodox community and got involved in cleaning stumbling blocks in Gronau to commemorate victims of National Socialism.

The group also discussed how to deal with social media. Together, the students analyzed racist memes and short videos from the internet, for example, and discussed how such content works - and how to counter it critically.

In a room at Café Grenzenlos, schoolchildren stand and sit around a large table for a group photo together with older participants in the "Grannies against the right" initiative. Some young people are sitting on chairs around the table, others are standing behind it. There are glasses, cups, plates and some waffles on the table. In the background is a large dark wooden cabinet with carved decorations. Several photos hang on the walls, and other seating furniture such as sofas and chairs are scattered around the room.
© Comprehensive School Gronau
At the end of the meeting, pupils and members of the "Grannies against the right" initiative gathered for a group photo.

Further joint actions planned

The meeting with the "Grannies against the right" is not intended to be a one-off. Both groups would like to continue their collaboration and are already planning further joint activities. The first opportunity to do so will be at the Jazz Festival Sunday on May 3, where schoolgirls and senior citizens will be represented with an information stand in Gronau city center.

The meeting at Café Grenzenlos has shown: When different generations start talking to each other, more than just an exchange takes place - a shared commitment to an open, democratic and diverse society grows.