30 June 2026
GMS Döffingen Becomes a Global Ethic School
On 27 June 2026, Gemeinschaftsschule Döffingen – a state school in Grafenau, Germany, that combines primary and secondary education under one roof – received the Global Ethic School award at its summer school festival. What sets this school apart? A vision that doesn’t just hang on the wall. Participation, a lived culture of dialogue, and an everyday school life where diversity is genuinely the norm. Julia Willke from the Global Ethic Foundation presented the certificate at the celebration.
A SCHOOL FESTIVAL WITH A MESSAGE
The hottest day of the year, nearly 40 degrees, and still a packed schoolyard. Pupils arrived in tie-dye shirts they had designed themselves, carrying handmade signs: “Mixed and proud – stronger together”, “Boxes are for socks, not for people”, “Listening connects us.” Together they sang “Welcome” – a song about belonging. Headteacher Verena Theimel and Mayor Martin Thüringer then welcomed the school community, before Julia Willke formally presented the Global Ethic School certificate.
WHAT IS THE GLOBAL ETHIC SCHOOL AWARD?
The Global Ethic School is a programme of the Global Ethic Foundation that recognises schools actively living a values-oriented school culture. Its motto: “Different – growing together.” It goes beyond tolerance as a curriculum objective. Global Ethic Schools embed values such as non-violence, respect and justice into everyday school life – in how conflicts are resolved, how pupils are heard, and how the whole school community grows together.
WHY GMS DÖFFINGEN?
During their visit in March 2026 as part of the application process, the Weltethos Foundation team came across a school where people clearly feel at home. Parent representatives praised the sense of community. Pupils showed visitors around the building and spoke openly about their daily school life. External partners from the school’s vocational guidance programme noted that young people from GMS Döffingen were particularly attentive, helpful and empathetic.
The school’s guiding vision is “Diversity. Together. Living. Learning.” And it does not merely hang framed in the entrance hall. Participation is taken seriously: the class council and student council are genuine forums for input. Teachers actively foster a culture of dialogue in which listening and perspective-taking are part of everyday life. This is complemented by the school garden, the subject PhiWeNo (Philosophy, Values, Norms) in primary school, and a growing internationalisation concept.
Headteacher Verena Theimel puts it plainly:
"Only where everyone is welcome can everyone contribute. And only those who contribute can make a real difference – that is what we hope for every member of our school community."
PART OF A STRONG NETWORK
With this award, GMS Döffingen joins the nationwide Global Ethic School Network. Every two years, member schools come together to share experiences and learn from one another. The Global Ethic Foundation will continue to support the school in its values-oriented development in the years ahead.
The programme is funded by the Berthold Leibinger Foundation, the Dieter von Holtzbrinck Foundation and the Karl Schlecht Foundation.
Julia Willke
E-Mail: willke@weltethos.org