In response to a growing trend of antisemitism, anti-democratic attitudes, and the rejection of women’s rights—particularly among Muslim youth—Vienna’s schools are rolling out a brand-new course aimed at promoting tolerance, civic responsibility, and equality.
Dubbed “Living in Democracy,” the new program is set to become a core part of the curriculum beginning in primary school. City officials say it’s a proactive move to instill democratic values and mutual respect in children from an early age.
The initiative comes amid shifting demographics in the classroom. A recent survey shows Muslim students now make up over 41% of Vienna’s school population, overtaking Christians, who account for just under 35%. As religious diversity in the city’s schools expands, so do cultural tensions and ideological divides.
Bettina Emmerling, Vienna’s City Councilor for Education (NEOS), emphasized that schools must be places where the dignity of all people is respected and where pluralism isn’t just a theory—it’s lived experience. “Values like democracy, gender equality, and mutual respect need to be second nature,” she said, noting that the earlier children are exposed to these principles, the more naturally they absorb them.
Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr, who previously served as Vienna’s deputy mayor, has already unveiled detailed plans for the course. The idea is to foster a shared understanding among students of all backgrounds—helping young minds grow into informed, tolerant citizens in a diverse society.
While challenges remain, Vienna’s education officials are betting on the classroom as the front line for safeguarding democracy and countering extremism.
