Rheinfelden, Germany: Umicore in Rheinfelden works to curb children's violence
Like many countries around the world, Germany has in recent years witnessed an increase in violence by children. This aggressive behaviour is often caused by a lack of social and emotional skills, which blocks constructive conflict management.
The Automotive Catalysts plant in Rheinfelden is determined to address this difficult problem. As part of its local Umicare programme, it has invested in the rollout of the “Faustlos Initiative 2010”.
Faustlos (which means “fistless”) is a German violence prevention course. It works by teaching social and emotional skills to kindergarten and first-grade pupils, specifically empathy, impulse control and anger management. Studies on the programme’s effectiveness prove its positive effects on aggressive behaviour and the promotion of social and emotional competence.
Umicore Rheinfelden conducted a very successful pilot scheme with one school in 2008. The local schools and authorities in the town of Rheinfelden have since been motivated to take part in a larger project. The current Umicare Faustios initiative began with the school year 2010-11. It provides training for more than 70 teachers and includes training materials for all six elementary schools in Rheinfelden. The programme comprises 51 lessons over three years.
Working together, helping each other. At the Christian Heinrich Zeller Elementary School a third-grader reads to a first-grade student.