Cultural and Political Education in Museums

To mark this anniversary, the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, in cooperation with the Ministry of Science, Research, and the Arts of the State of Baden-Württemberg, is hosting a two-day symposium that focuses on the significance of the Beutelsbach Consensus for the cultural sector and museum practice.

What role does the Beutelsbach Consensus play today at the intersection of political and cultural education? Against the backdrop of current social conflicts, crises, and polarization, how can cultural and historical-political education be meaningfully combined? What practical examples of democracy-building exist at this intersection, and where do the potential and limitations lie? Is there a need for common guidelines or an update to the Beutelsbach Consensus? What challenges do museums and other cultural or civil society actors face in East and West Germany, and what differing perspectives exist on the Beutelsbach Consensus as a product of West German authors?

The event will be opened by Prof. Dr. Marion Ackermann, President of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation; Petra Olschowski, Minister of Science, Research, and the Arts in Baden-Württemberg; and Sibylle Thelen, Director of the State Agency for Political Education in Baden-Württemberg.

Following this, experts from academia and the field of political and cultural education will engage in a discussion. In addition to these presentations and panels, several workshops will also take place on the second day.

Date and Location

April 23–24, 2026

Haus Bastian – Center for Cultural Education of the Berlin State Museums