"How good that everyone is different!"

From October 19 to 21, 2017, the 5th workshop of the “ZINT—Developing Integrative/Inclusive Schools Together” project took place in Görlitz. Under the motto, “How good it is that everyone is different!” numerous former and current participants in the certificate courses gathered once again to discuss the current state of school inclusion in Saxony with integration specialists, school supervision staff, those responsible for the integration and inclusion of students with intellectual disabilities in mainstream schools, and special needs education teachers to discuss the current state of school inclusion in Saxony.

Following an informal welcome session featuring initial discussion groups on school-related topics such as “Working together or collaborating” or “Support in difficult times—What or who helps?” the university’s Rector, Prof. Dr. Friedrich Albrecht, once again traditionally opened this year’s workshop with a welcoming address. Ralf Berger, director of the Saxon Education Agency, also warmly welcomed the approximately 130 conference participants who had traveled to Görlitz from all over Saxony, as well as the speakers from across Germany and the Netherlands.

Both thus kicked off two diverse, intensive, and enriching days. Under the leadership of Mario Friedrich, KIB e.V. once again took on the role of moderating the conference, as it has done so successfully in the past. We would like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt thanks to the moderators for their excellent work.

The conference’s keynote speaker was Janis McDavid, who engaged the audience in a modern, surprising way. The 26-year-old student explored the topic of self-acceptance and the question of how to take life into one’s own hands with unprecedented depth. In his opening presentation, he movingly described how he is creatively “standing on his own two feet” and constantly challenging himself. For example, he often gets around in his own car and, because he loves the big-city vibe, lives in a non-accessible shared apartment in Berlin. Barriers arise in the mind, and that is exactly where they should disappear, according to McDavid, who was born without arms or legs; the key to inclusion lies in the will to find solutions and the determination to overcome limitations.

The conference participants took these ideas with them in the early afternoon to the six practical workshops: “Inclusive Schools in Saxony—Developing New Visions” with Nancy Kallenbach, “How Are Inclusive Schools Developing in the Netherlands?” with Simon Ettekoven, “The Janusz Korczak School Center—An Example of Inclusive School Development” with Martin Degner, “Schkola School Network—A School on the Path” with Ute Wunderlich, “Inclusion in Careers and Work” with Janis McDavid, “Individual Support for Gifted Students” with Dr. Heike Petereit and Heike Wünsche, and “Leading and Advising Schools—Cooperation with External Partners as the Basis for Successful Inclusive School Development” with Klaus Seifried.

In his presentation on techniques for facilitating networks, Jörg Heidig, a communication psychologist and chairman of the board of KIB e. V., explained how to initiate and design network structures and, using practical examples, highlighted important principles for their implementation. After a short coffee break, these insights were put into practice. In the regional network groups, there was a lively exchange of experiences among the conference participants.

The evening event at the “Lucie Schulte” restaurant marked the conclusion of the first day of the conference. Following a rhythmic performance by students from the Friedrich-Jahn-Schule in Görlitz, directed by music therapist Claudia Lohmann, Joshua Neumann provided piano accompaniment during the group dinner. The highlight of the evening was a reading by Sabine Zinkernagel from her book: “If You Just Stare at the Holes, You’ll Miss the Cheese.” She shared stories from her family’s daily life with two special boys. At the end of the day, there was another opportunity to engage in conversation with one another.

The second day of the conference began with a large-group workshop in the university student canteen—a first for the event. Simon Ettekoven, himself a teacher and principal for many years, as well as the author and co-developer of the learning strategy “Cooperative Learning,” introduced this effective method of knowledge acquisition and transfer and invited the conference participants, divided into groups of four, to take part in this hands-on learning experience.

In his closing address, Klaus Seifried once again addressed education policy across Germany and, in particular, in Saxony. With apt words, he explained the current state of inclusion by comparing the individual federal states, identified necessary needs, and declared Germany to be a “developing country” from a “school psychological perspective.” The closing remarks were delivered by Gerald Heinze, Head of the Division for Middle and High Schools at the Saxon Ministry of Culture and Sports. At the end of the conference, he once again fielded questions from the participants in a heated discussion about the current situation—balancing teacher shortages and missed classes at Saxon schools. Exhausted, but having agreed to stay in touch, this year’s conference finally concluded with an invitation to the 6th ZINT Conference, marking ZINT’s 10th anniversary in 2018.