One of the tasks of our lead educator Yann Lenggenhager, is to introduce the Robert F. Kennedy Foundation’s educational material to schools. This may be the case by presenting our material “Speak Truth to Power” during a teacher’s conference. Today we were invited to talk to the students during an ethics class by Prof. Andrier.
The class starts with a checklist of who will be taking on what volunteer position at the school for this year. There is some discussion with regard to personal preferences, but it is good to see 15 year old students getting involved in their school. An idea that matches our teaching method, whereby we try to encourage young people to know, respect, and protect human rights through responsible action.
When Yann wanted to start telling the pupils about Robert F. Kennedy, a pupil surprised the whole class by knowing much about him and his work. From there the talks go to his goal to change politics, the importance of new generations to get involved and how the Foundation was founded after his death to continue his work. The pupils were introduced to the website with the access to different materials and talks more in depth about the activists, pointing out in particular the Swiss activists. A question about Henry Dunant was raised by a pupil. Bruno Manser, who fought for the rights of indigenous peoples in Brazil, was well known thank to the recent film about him. Hans Caprez and Gertrud Kurz were presented as activist denouncing injustices in Switzerland.
At the end of the class Yann asks the pupils what they remember from the last time he was at the school (two years ago) and many pupils recollect fond memories of the Eddie Adams photo exhibition that was showcased at the Lycée Frainçais at the time. After leaving the class, Yann notices how the special hooks to hang the photographs, are still present walls of the building. With such an enthusiastic class and the hooks still in place, it might be time for the exhibition to revisit the Lycée Français Marie Curie again..!
Website of the Lycée Français: https://lfz.ch
