On 26 August 1806, bookseller Johann Philipp Palm was executed in Braunau am Inn on Napoleon's orders for distributing a pamphlet critical of the regime. Palm was an early advocate of freedom of expression and, at the age of just 39, became a martyr for freedom of the press. His courageous stand against oppression and tyranny continues to have an impact today.
For the Palm Foundation, this anniversary is an occasion not only to look back, but also to make Palm's legacy visible in the here and now. The foundation supports democracy education projects at eight schools in Schorndorf and awards prizes to committed students. The focus is not on the past, but on the question: How can participation be achieved today?
One example of this is the ‘WORTREICH’ project, which specifically promotes language education in daycare centres by providing additional specialists to support children in learning German. Because language is the key to participation – today as it was in Palm's time.
His courage remains a reminder – and motivation for our daily work.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)