In an interview with the Schulblatt Kanton Zürich school magazine, our board member Monika Waldis talks about young people’s trust in institutions and politics, as well as media education and participation. She provides insights into the current research activities of the Department of Political Education and History Didactics.
Students debate their own initiatives in the National Council chamber, giving them first-hand experience of political life. This practical contribution to political education has now been recognized with an award. «SpielPolitik!» (Play Politics!), organized by the Schulen nach Bern association in cooperation with the Center for Political Education and History Didactics at the FHNW University of Teacher Education, has won this year’s Federalism Award.
On November 19, it will be that time again: students will take the seats of actual National Council members and debate their own proposals. The topics are pressing issues for the 14- and 15-year-olds themselves: «Better psychological support for young people,» «Eight weeks of vacation for students,» and «Civil service for all» are just a few examples.
The students prepare intensively for their appearance in Bern in their classes during around 15 to 20 lessons: What issues can be addressed with a popular initiative? How do you formulate a popular initiative? What are the good arguments for our cause and which arguments are not convincing? What path does a bill take and how is a political decision made? These and other questions are discussed in class in connection with the students’ own concerns.
Afterwards, four classes will meet for two days of simulation games in Bern. The students will take on the role of National Council members and participate in committee and parliamentary group meetings as well as the final debate in the National Council chamber. The role of the Federal Council will be played by an active member of parliament. For the upcoming event in November, this will be National Council President Maja Riniker.
Even though the students may lose out to their colleagues in the National Council chamber, they gain a lot from visiting «SpielPolitik!». They learn about Swiss politics at the federal level and experience the possibilities and mechanisms of national politics. They realize how important listening and objective argumentation are in a political debate and identify issues and areas of action that are directly related to their lives.
Monika Waldis, head of the Center for Political Education and History Didactics at the PH FHNW and member of the board at the Center for Democracy Studies Aarau (ZDA), sums up the benefits for students as follows:
«The simulation game provides an opportunity for a playful exchange about politics across language barriers. In Bern and in the Federal Parliament, young people work on issues that are important to them. In the debates, the students learn whether they can convince others of their ideas and what strong counterarguments there are. In addition, they gain insight into the processes and rules of politics. This strengthens their trust in democratic institutions. The game leaves a lasting impression. It stimulates both thought and emotion.»
SpielPolitik! is held five times a year, with a total of around 400 students taking part. Students from 8th or 9th grade travel from all over Switzerland, venture beyond their own region and debate the proposals in two national languages.
This commitment to political education and exchange beyond national borders will be honored with the 2025 Federalism Prize. The prize is awarded by the ch Foundation and is endowed with 10,000 Swiss francs. The ch Foundation writes:
«With the Federalism Award, the ch Foundation honors individuals and organizations (associations, etc.) whose work or projects promote federalism and internal cohesion in Switzerland. Political, civil society, scientific, and cultural engagement are all taken into account.»
The award will be presented to the organizers of «SpielPolitik!» at the National Federalism Conference in Zug on November 13, 2025.
Noemi Carrel, Projektleitung
spielleitung@schulen-nach-bern.ch
The association «Schools to Bern» was founded in 2009. It is supported by the Swiss Teachers’ Association (LCH), the Western Swiss Teachers’ Union (SER), and the Parliamentary Services. It is chaired by two National Council members, Maja Riniker and Delphine Klopfenstein Broggini. Since 2019, the project has been running under the name «SpielPolitik!» and is organized and implemented in cooperation with the Center for Political Education and History Didactics at the FHNW University of Teacher Education at the Center for Democracy Aarau (ZDA). www.schulen-nach-bern.ch
The Center for Democracy Aarau is a scientific research center supported by the University of Zurich, the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, the Canton of Aargau, and the City of Aarau. It conducts basic research and addresses current issues relating to democracy – regionally, in Switzerland and worldwide. The Center for Political Education and History Didactics at the FHNW School of Education is affiliated with the ZDA. The center develops and researches innovative approaches to political education and democracy education. www.zdaarau.ch/en/
The Science Café Aargau invites you to an open exchange with experts as part of the annual theme “School Times”. Participants in the discussion:
Prof. Dr. Monika Waldis, Director of the Center for Democracy Aarau and Head of the Department of Political Education and History Didactics PH FHNW
Dr. phil. Sarah Bütikofer , project partner for the survey on political neutrality at Aargau secondary schools, Sotomo
Dr. Laura Fasol, history teacher, Neue Kantonsschule Aarau
Moderation: Céline Werdelis, journalist and presenter at SRF
The Aargau Science Café is organized in cooperation with the Aargau Library and Archive.Das Wissenschaftscafé Aargau wird in Kooperation mit Bibliothek und Archiv Aargau organsiert.