Fri, 24 Nov 2006

General secretaries of regional anthroposophical societies discuss world situation

DORNACH (NNA) – The general secretaries of the various regional anthroposophical societies throughout the world, meeting at the headquarters of the General Anthroposophical Society at the Goetheanum in Dornach, discussed the world situation as well as internal matters at their most recent meeting. The international nature of this meeting, which takes place twice a year, offers the opportunity to develop a more global picture, Goetheanum press spokesman Wolfgang Held said in a report.

In the context of the conflict in the Middle East, the conference focused on the issue of where tolerance had to be practiced between the civilisations and where clear spiritual lines had to be drawn.

The general secretaries also discussed the effects of meditation on social life. How does a community change, how do its encounters and conflicts change, if its members engage in meditation? What ways are there of offering help and support to those who want to engage in meditative practice? In this context reference was made to the meditation workshops which had been developed in the Netherlands.

Another subject under discussion was the plan of the Goetheanum Stage to work on a new production of Rudolf Steiner’s Mystery Dramas. A lengthy period of development work was required, it was emphasised. The question also arose how this artistic challenge could from the beginning be properly related to the Anthroposophical Society.

The project generated an equal measure of support and scepticism at the international meeting. Although it would be good to have a new production of the dramas, it was mainly of relevance to the German-speaking world. It was hardly a project that supported the current trend for a more international outlook in the Anthroposophical Society.

Another point on the agenda was the services provided for members of the society. The initiative to publish the annual report in 17 languages was welcomed.

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Item: 061124-03EN Date: 24 November 2006

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Art prize for Alanus artists

ALFTER (NNA) – Three young artists studying at the Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences, Katharina Klemm, Sandra Machel and Bianka Schröder, have won the Valentine Rothe Prize. The prize was awarded by the Bonn Women’s Museum in Germany as part of its sixteenth art fair.

The aim of the prize was to support the next generation of artists and „strengthen their belief in their own artistic ability“, Valentine Rothe, sponsor of the prize and member of the museum’s board said.

The jury said the artists had produced work that was innovative und took a critical look at society while acknowledging the positive aspects of our time.

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Item: 061124-02EN Date:24 November 2006

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Parents at Kladow Waldorf school put at risk through asbestos

BERLIN/KLADOW (NNA) – The health of parents helping to convert the building of the Eugen Kolisko Waldorf School in Kladow near Berlin has been put at risk as a result of accidentally handling asbestos panels. The school council admitted that errors had been made in planning and executing the building project.

Local and regional health and safety authorities intervened to stop the building work when a concerned father had samples of the rubble tested and the dangerous substance was found to be present. Further laboratory tests are now being undertaken to ascertain whether the asbestos has also penetrated into classrooms and nursery facilities.

The council of the school’s board of trustees said that regrettably “building materials have been handled which could lead to a potential health risk”. The contamination had been known about as the result of an expert report but the information had clearly not penetrated as far as the volunteer helpers.

Contrary to the original plans, parents had begun working in additional areas in the cellar and roof, a statement from the regional Association of Waldorf schools in Berlin-Brandenburg said. As a result, they had removed the asbestos-containing panels, releasing asbestos dust.

At a meeting with parents, representatives from the regional authorities said they had stopped the building work because handling asbestos was prohibited by law except by specialists using state of the art equipment, including proper protective clothing. It was difficult to asses the risk to parents as a result of the demolition work.

Responsibility for the conversion of the school rests with a consortium of architects from among the parents. The body, which prepared the plans for the conversion of the school, is also responsible for its project management. The majority of parents on the board of trustees are in favour of continuing with the building work but using appropriate specialist firms.

The building, a former air force academy built in 1936, was acquired at the beginning of the year. An expert report commissioned at the time of the purchase pointed out the contamination of the building.

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Item: 061124-01EN Date: 24. November 2006

Copyright 2006 News Network Anthroposophy Limited. All rights reserved. See http://www.nna-news.org/copyright/

More NNA reports at: http://www.nna-news.org/