We Are A Rare Breed
There are two reasons why we can consider us to be a bit unique. Reason number one is that we are one of only two Austrian schools participating in THIMUN. Reason number two is that we are, quite in contrast to most schools present in The Hague, no International School, no European School, no American, German or British School, no Department of Defence School. We are an ordinary state school, a very normal "down-the-road" secondary school that is proud of having become a part of THIMUN.
The BG/BRG Knittelfeld - that stands for "Bundesgymnasium" and "Bundesrealgymnasium" and is the German version of Academic or Lower and Higher Secondary School - is attended by about 650 students aged between ten and eighteen. Sixty teachers - in Austria called "Professor" - try to convey as much knowledge as possible to us, the students, up to our final eighth form, at the end of which we do the A-levels (matriculation examination; in Austria "Matura" or "Reifepruefung") which will allow us to study at any Austrian university and most EU universities. The large majority of Austrian schools are state schools. Education is free in these, that is to say that no school fees have to be paid. There exist, of course, private schools that charge school fees in Austria as well, but their number is rather limited.
Our school is very internationally and interculturally minded. The BG/BRG Knittelfeld has since 1999 been a member of the UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network and is thus one of 7000 schools worldwide and only one of 44 in Austria that are part of this ASP net. It is a great honour for our school to be a UNESCO school. In 2002 we received the "Peace Pillar Award" by the UNESCO in Paris for our efforts in the fields of anti-racism, tolerance, peace and mutual understanding. The UNESCO and European School Coordinator and International Officer of our school, Prof. Otto Ernest Gutmann, is always busy in organizing participations in events like MUNs, European Classes, International Youth Forums or EUROSCOLA. He believes that our future will look much brighter because of international experiences. Our horizons get widened, our minds opened towards new global frontiers, towards globality. Our participations are documented in a special educational passport. It proves and confirms that we have developed abilities, skills and additional qualifications through our personal commitment far beyond the required level. These confirmations can be sent along with our Curriculum Vitae for job as well as special course or college applications and should provide us with essential advantages when starting our professional lives.
As the region we come from is incomewise below average in Austria, it is frequently very difficult for many of our parents to finance such trips and participations. Some parents even refrain from spending private vacations, just to be able to give us a chance of taking part in international and intercultural activities of our school.
The town of Knittelfeld with its 13,000 inhabitants is situated in the very heart of Austria and right in the centre of the "Green Heart of Austria", the federal state of Styria. Knittelfeld and its region offer a wide range of facilities for shopping, conferences and seminars, culture, entertainment and sports. Very well known is the nearby Formula One race track. A number of castles and churches in the surrounding area and the Monastery of Seckau are well worth visiting. Unfortunately, Knittelfeld was terribly hit by air raids at the end of the Second World War that destroyed nearly the complete ancient part of the city centre. Because of recession and the old economic structure, the unemployment rate in the region is fairly high which results in a number of social problems. Thus it is such a challenge and enormous chance for us to act multiculturally.
If you want to get into touch with us, visit our website: www.gym-knittelfeld.asn-graz.ac.at or contact us by email: buero@gym-knittelfeld.asn-graz.ac.at or otto.gutmann@netway.at . See you!
The BG/BRG Knittelfeld - that stands for "Bundesgymnasium" and "Bundesrealgymnasium" and is the German version of Academic or Lower and Higher Secondary School - is attended by about 650 students aged between ten and eighteen. Sixty teachers - in Austria called "Professor" - try to convey as much knowledge as possible to us, the students, up to our final eighth form, at the end of which we do the A-levels (matriculation examination; in Austria "Matura" or "Reifepruefung") which will allow us to study at any Austrian university and most EU universities. The large majority of Austrian schools are state schools. Education is free in these, that is to say that no school fees have to be paid. There exist, of course, private schools that charge school fees in Austria as well, but their number is rather limited.
Our school is very internationally and interculturally minded. The BG/BRG Knittelfeld has since 1999 been a member of the UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network and is thus one of 7000 schools worldwide and only one of 44 in Austria that are part of this ASP net. It is a great honour for our school to be a UNESCO school. In 2002 we received the "Peace Pillar Award" by the UNESCO in Paris for our efforts in the fields of anti-racism, tolerance, peace and mutual understanding. The UNESCO and European School Coordinator and International Officer of our school, Prof. Otto Ernest Gutmann, is always busy in organizing participations in events like MUNs, European Classes, International Youth Forums or EUROSCOLA. He believes that our future will look much brighter because of international experiences. Our horizons get widened, our minds opened towards new global frontiers, towards globality. Our participations are documented in a special educational passport. It proves and confirms that we have developed abilities, skills and additional qualifications through our personal commitment far beyond the required level. These confirmations can be sent along with our Curriculum Vitae for job as well as special course or college applications and should provide us with essential advantages when starting our professional lives.
As the region we come from is incomewise below average in Austria, it is frequently very difficult for many of our parents to finance such trips and participations. Some parents even refrain from spending private vacations, just to be able to give us a chance of taking part in international and intercultural activities of our school.
The town of Knittelfeld with its 13,000 inhabitants is situated in the very heart of Austria and right in the centre of the "Green Heart of Austria", the federal state of Styria. Knittelfeld and its region offer a wide range of facilities for shopping, conferences and seminars, culture, entertainment and sports. Very well known is the nearby Formula One race track. A number of castles and churches in the surrounding area and the Monastery of Seckau are well worth visiting. Unfortunately, Knittelfeld was terribly hit by air raids at the end of the Second World War that destroyed nearly the complete ancient part of the city centre. Because of recession and the old economic structure, the unemployment rate in the region is fairly high which results in a number of social problems. Thus it is such a challenge and enormous chance for us to act multiculturally.
If you want to get into touch with us, visit our website: www.gym-knittelfeld.asn-graz.ac.at or contact us by email: buero@gym-knittelfeld.asn-graz.ac.at or otto.gutmann@netway.at . See you!
The THIMUN Delegation of BG/BRG Knittelfeld (Austria)
Conference Number 3, representing the state of Viet Nam
By Prof. Mag. Otto Ernest Gutmann, UNESCO School-Coordinator & Coordinator for Public Relations of the BG/BRG Knittelfeld
