Brücken Bauen aims to provide a platform for exchange around issues of peace education, prevention of violence, human rights and the possibilities to address and re-form any form of discrimination, oppression and violence — in Europe as well as in other social contexts over the continents. We want to create opportunities for Brücken Bauen members and our South African partners to share experiences, learn from each other and — by doing so — actively develop a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of peace and social justice, which are so closely related.
Through our work we hope to take responsibility and action that will lead to an understanding that every human being should be availed the right of equality and dignity. This goes way beyond just covering the basics for survival and promotes the chance for everybody to enjoy education, peace, respect, play, security and the fulfillment of personal and emotional needs.
Brücken Bauen e.V. was founded in Germany in 2002. Our initial aim was to deepen the cooperation with our first South African partner organisation, the "Direct Action Centre for Peace and Memory" (DACPM) in Cape Town. In 2006 we entered into another partnership with the "Active Schools Initiative" (ASI) in Cape Town, an organisation which promotes violence prevention at South African primary schools by developing social skills, empathy and responsibility through games and physical activity.