!!!Volkshochschulen

Volkshochschulen ( Adult Education Centres, literally 
"people´s universities" ), institutions of  Adult 
Education; name and idea go back to the Scandinavian 
N. S. F. Grundtvig, developed independently in Austria. The 
first Volkshochschule institution in Austria was the "Wiener 
Volksbildungsverein", which started its activities in 1887. There 
were a number of other institutions devoted to education following the 
Volkshochschule principles. These, however, operated under different 
names, since "Volkshochschule" was a name whose use was 
prohibited by the authorities. They include "Volkstuemliche 
Universitaetsvortraege" (popular university lectures, held in 
Vienna from 1895), education organised by Volksheim associations (from 
1901, 1%%sup st/%  Austrian Volksheim centre built in 1905), and the  
Urania centre (founded in 1897). During the First Republic, a number 
of evening Volkshochschulen were founded as independent associations, 
or as branches of the Vienna Urania or of the "Freie 
Gewerkschaften". The rural Heim-Volkshochschule centres of St. 
Martin (Graz) and Hubertendorf (Lower Austria) also carried out 
educational work in the tradition of Grundtvig. Between 1938 and 1945, 
the activities of the Volkshochschule centres were mainly taken over 
by the German Labour Front (Deutsche Arbeitsfront). Thereafter, some 
of the provincial Volkshilfe centres were operated by the Chambers of 
Labour, and new locations were opened in all major towns (289 centres 
in 1994). The centres are organised at a provincial level, the parent 
organisation (Verband oesterreichischer Volkshochschulen) was founded 
in 1950. Supporting organisations are associations, municipalities and 
Chambers of Labour (sometimes jointly). In Salzburg and Tirol there 
are provincial organisations with branches in major towns. The work is 
carried out by some full-time and a majority of part-time workers or 
on an honorary basis. Teachers and trainers receive further training 
in seminars. Between 1955 and 1992, the main seminar and education 
centre was "Haus Rif" in Hallein. Activities include 
courses, activities related to what is known as the "Second Way 
to  University Access", lecture series, and other events 
(excursions, lectures, exhibitions, educational journeys, etc.).

\\
The "Verband oesterreichischer Volkshochschulen" has its 
main office in Vienna and, since 1990, has operated a teaching centre 
and research centre; it publishes its own journal ("Die 
oesterreichischen Volkshochschulen", founded in 1950) and other 
specialised publications.

!Literature
W. Filla, V.-Arbeit in Oesterreich - 2. Republik, 1991; U. 
Knittler-Lux (ed.), Bildung bewegt. 100 Jahre Wiener Volksbildung, 
1987; Die oesterreichischen Volkshochschulen, Strukturanalyse, 1995; 
Jahrbuch Volkshochschulen, 1991ff.


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