First of all it is very interesting to read such a list. We like to show how former Waldorf students have achieved recognition in their home countries or internationally for positive contributions to the arts, science, politics, commerce, industry and other fields. It seems that a diversified and interesting picture will be formed - there are names which really surprise! Our intention is to act against prejudices that are present worldwide, which claim, for example, that Waldorf education would not sufficiently prepare its students for the "real challenges of life". Since anthroposophy and Waldorf education are often presented to the public in a rather negative way (at least as far as German-speaking areas are concerned, resulting from some negative press-campaigns) we think that it is very important to present examples showing that the positive influence of people who attended a Waldorf school should not be considered as less significant than that of personalities without such education. Moreover, the list shows that Waldorf education does not only qualify people for professions in the social sector. In the light of ongoing discussions on the justification of alternative education models like that of the Waldorf schools; why not stress that contemporaries like the writers Max Frisch or Friedrich Duerrenmatt who possess the faith and appreciation of millions through their works chose the Waldorf school as the right alternative for their children?! We think that the World Wide Web is an appropriate tool for realizing our idea. The fact that some personalities went to Waldorf schools is very often just known within their home countries. Consequently, we like to create a list of international content and extent. Not at last because comparable attempts do not exist until now (at least we have not come across them...), we have been experiencing a lot of support from many sides in collecting names for the list. Anyone who is able to contribute a name to the list is kindly invited to do so by e-mail. We are also collecting the names of famous Waldorf parents. We thank you for your assistance!
Why did we create this list?
In this relation it is important to emphasize that this is not a matter of comparison or competition. The aim is to reduce prejudices. Some Waldorf students may have heard comments like the following at least once in their lives: "You attend one of those schools for handicapped children?!"; Such comments obviously derive from a lack of information which has to be corrected. In England, for example, this is a problem which results from a lot of press and television attention and publicity which was given to the Steiner Camphill and Garvald movements of schools, which are only for handicapped children, and are generally acclaimed for their successes. Most of this publicity wave was over twenty years ago but the children still suffer from this association in the public consciousness.