The Language of Democracy: Ukrainian Women Practice Civic German in the Austrian Parliament

On November 4, 2025, a group of Ukrainian women once again visited the Austrian Parliament in Vienna as part of an educational program organized by the Safavi Impact Institute, this time with a special focus on actively practicing the language of public life.

During the guided tour through the historic Parliament building, the participants not only learned about key institutions and decision-making processes but also expanded their vocabulary on topics such as legislation, participation, parliamentary groups, and committees. Accompanied by a language trainer, they had the opportunity to experience expressions and terminology from civic and administrative contexts in a real-life setting.

The visit combined language learning with an authentic experience of democracy: How does the Austrian system of government work? What role does the National Council play? And how can citizens participate in shaping society? These questions were not only discussed but also explored linguistically – through conversations, note-taking, and spontaneous vocabulary exercises.

After the tour, the women exchanged thoughts on the similarities and differences between Austria’s and Ukraine’s governmental structures. Many noted how valuable it was to encounter abstract concepts from textbooks in a real environment.