Preamble to the statutes of the “Dachau Youth Hostel Foundation” (German)
The memory of the National Socialist era is particularly present in the town of Dachau. The memorial site on the grounds of the former concentration camp is an impressive memorial to the criminal tyranny of the Nazi state and at the same time an important place of historical and political education.
In view of the historical significance and the human and moral dimension of the injustice committed, it is a continuing obligation to present and communicate the historical events truthfully, especially to future generations, to keep alive the memory of the suffering of the victims, but also to make it clear to what extent the experiences of the Nazi era have become decisive for our present state and social order and what responsibility arises from this for shaping a humane future.
The Free State of Bavaria, the City of Dachau and the District of Dachau are committed to this historical obligation and are therefore endeavouring to improve the framework conditions for the historical and political educational work carried out in and in connection with the memorial site by schools and non-school organisations.
To this end, a youth guest house is to be built in the town of Dachau, which will offer school classes and youth groups in particular the opportunity to spend several days in Dachau. Such stays should not only be related to the memorial site and the associated subject matter. The house should also be available for other types of use serving the education and training of young people (e.g. international youth meetings, school exchanges, school hostel stays, conferences of youth organisations, further training measures for teachers and employees in youth work, cultural events) and in particular also give its guests the opportunity to get to know the town and district of Dachau in all its peculiarities and beauty.
Based on these considerations, the Free State of Bavaria, the city of Dachau and the district of Dachau set up the “Dachau Youth Guesthouse Foundation”.
