Youth in politics

Structure Ways of youth participation Youth councils Federation of youth councils Influence in politics

Ways of youth participation Youth councils petitions parties demonstrations unions citizens' initiatives associations right to vote standing for election

Youth councils Youth council What is a youth council? Who works together with the youth council? What does a youth council do?

Youth councils Youth council What is a youth council? Who works together with the youth council? What does a youth council do?

Youth councils Youth councils What is a youth council? democratically elected representation at local level implementing its own projects Youth councils

Youth councils Youth council What is a youth council? Who works together with the youth council? What does a youth council do?

Youth councils Youth councils What does a Youth council do? democratically elected representation at local level implementing its own projects represent interests of young people rules of procedure youth-relevant design of the municipality Youth councils

Youth councils Youth council What is a youth council? Who works together with the youth council? What does a youth council do?

Youth councils Youth councils Who is working with the youth council? supervisor at City Hall federal centre for political education federation of youth councils Youth councils

Federation of youth councils § 41a Gemeindeordnung Beteiligung von Kindern und Jugendlichen (1) Die Gemeinde soll Kinder und muss Jugendliche bei Planungen und Vorhaben, die ihre Interessen berühren, in angemessener Weise beteiligen. Dafür sind von der Gemeinde geeignete Beteiligungsverfahren zu entwickeln. Insbesondere kann die Gemeinde einen Jugendgemeinderat oder eine andere Jugendvertretung einrichten. Die Mitglieder der Jugendvertretung sind ehrenamtlich tätig. (2) Jugendliche können die Einrichtung einer Jugendvertretung beantragen. Der Antrag muss in Gemeinden mit bis zu 20 000 Einwohnern von 20, in Gemeinden mit bis zu 50 000 Einwohnern von 50, in Gemeinden mit bis zu 200 000 Einwohnern von 150, in Gemeinden mit über 200 000 Einwohnern von 250 in der Gemeinde wohnenden Jugendlichen unterzeichnet sein. Der Gemeinderat hat innerhalb von drei Monaten nach Eingang des Antrags über die Einrichtung der Jugendvertretung zu entscheiden; er hat hierbei Vertreter der Jugendlichen zu hören. (3) In der Geschäftsordnung ist die Beteiligung von Mitgliedern der Jugendvertretung an den Sitzungen des Gemeinderats in Jugendangelegenheiten zu regeln; insbesondere sind ein Rederecht, ein Anhörungsrecht und ein Antragsrecht vorzusehen. (4) Der Jugendvertretung sind angemessene finanzielle Mittel zur Verfügung zu stellen. Über den Umfang entscheidet der Gemeinderat im Rahmen des Haushaltsplans. Über die Verwendung der Mittel ist ein Nachweis in einfacher Form zu führen. Local governments should involve children and must involve adolescents in plans and projects which affect their own interests!

Influence in politics How can we involve young people in politics? Is the youth council the only opportunity? → How can the youth council influence politics?

Influence in politics council sessions council sessions finance committee youth council city council council sessions …

Influence in politics city council presidency: mayor finance committee youth council presidency: mayor youth council presidium

Influence in politics What opportunities do the youth councils have to influence politics?! -sessions just like the city council → own processing of projects -sends its members into the council sessions → gives advice

Youth Council in Pforzheim 17

A. Overview about Pforzheim 18

with migration background: 56.927 Population (2013) Total: 118.946 with migration background: 56.927  nationwide the second highest proportion of people with a migration background: 47% (census of 2011). Immigration continues and leads to a positive development of the population number. Recent immigration from South-East Europe, Poland and Turkey + significant increase in the number of asylum seekers & refugees * = Prognosis; about 1/3 of them are children/youth 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016* Refugees in Pforzheim 26 71 65 187 291 1265 3725*

B. The youth council 20

The Youth Council in Pforzheim 21

The Youth Council in Pforzheim -founded in 2014 -elected by 14-21 year olds in Pforzheim -sessions just like the city council -sends its members into the council sessions -budget of 35.000€ -represents the opionion of the young people within the city 22

Youth Participation Day in 2016 „Critical questions from a young audience“ 23

Youth Participation Day in 2016 24

Media Attention „Thumbs up for the political youth“ Present in both local newspapers „Thumbs up for the political youth“ Has its own Facebook page Has its own online presence in the website of the city hall https://www.pforzheim.de/buerger/rathaus/gemeinderat/jugendgemeinderat.html 25

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