Gesprächsabend mit Friedenspreis-Gewinnern

Although the Nigerian-German association "Mate ni kani" will not receive the Bremen International Peace Prize from the Threshold Foundation until 8 May in the town hall, there will be an opportunity to get to know the association's work a few days earlier. Under the title "Multilingualism, language policy and youth literature in Niger", the Bremen Threshold Foundation invites you to a French-German discussion evening on Monday, May 4, from 6 p.m. at the Haus der Wissenschaft, Sandstr. 4/5. Admission is free, registration is not required.

"Mate ni kani" will be awarded the prize for "Encouraging Initiatives", which was voted on by the Foundation's donors. The award is endowed with 5000 euros. In Niger, there is a problematic gap between French, the language taught at school since colonial times, and the mother tongue of many children.

The association, which has its German headquarters in Bremen, publishes emancipatory children's and youth books for mother-tongue teaching in Niger and supports women's initiatives in developing their own economic prospects. "The fact that Mate ni kani is being honored is no coincidence, but the reward for a colossal and invaluable work over more than 15 years and the encouragement for a solid and lasting cooperation between our peoples," says publisher Bako Malam Abdou from the Nigerien capital Niamey, who has now published 56 books in collaboration with the association. "It is always touching to see children in elementary school confidently helping to shape lessons instead of mechanically parroting something in a foreign language, the meaning of which they rarely understand," adds Manfred Weule, 1st Chairman of the association. "Self-efficacy and self-determination belong together and start on a small scale."

The Peace Prize will be awarded on Friday, May 8, at 6 p.m. in the town hall. Admission is also free. Further information can be found at www.dieschwelle.de/friedenspreis-2026.