Enhancing Proposed Count of Commission Members
Empowering Young People for Democracy and Diversity: The "Learning to Live Democracy" Project in Wuppertal
The city of Wuppertal, with its high number of people with a migration background, is home to an innovative project aimed at fostering dialogue, understanding, and appreciation of diversity among its young residents. The project, titled "Learning to live democracy", is an initiative that encourages active participation and empowers young people to navigate and contribute to a democratic society.
The brainchild of project leader Dorothee van den Borre, the initiative is inspired by the coexistence of many nations and cultures achieved at Krawatte, a local community centre. The project aims to bring this spirit of unity into the neighbourhood, engaging young people in discussions about social and political issues, and equipping them with the skills to engage in dialogue and diversity in their daily lives.
A key component of the project is the "Democracy suitcase", a collection of creative materials, stories, and puppets, which will be introduced in elementary schools. Through these resources, children will learn about the importance of having a voice and negotiating conflicts, with the ultimate goal of making them understand that local politics affects their lives.
The project's journey began when Dorothee van den Borre took 40 young people from nine different nations to Berlin, where they learned about the basics of democracy. On their return, they conceived the idea of meeting candidates for the position of the city mayor on August 15th. Part of this journey included a visit to the Reichstag and the office of Bundestag member Helge Lindh (SPD).
Many of the participating young people are already engaged in Krawatte through activities like giving homework help and participating in a circus project. Dorothee van den Borre wants to involve these young people as "bridge builders" in the initiatives at elementary schools, leveraging their experiences and insights to facilitate meaningful conversations and promote inclusivity.
In addition to the youth workshops at Krawatte, which include theater, photo competitions, and argumentation training against extremism, the project also plans to offer interreligious further training for specialists from school, youth work, and congregations in the future.
The concerns of the youth extend beyond the basics of democracy. They are interested in understanding issues such as who gets German citizenship when, and how to make the neighbourhood greener and more attractive for young people. The project seeks to address these concerns, providing a platform for open dialogue and encouraging young people to take an active role in shaping their community.
The "Learning to live democracy" project is a testament to the power of dialogue and inclusivity in fostering social cohesion and breaking down prejudices. By empowering young people to engage in dialogue and diversity, the project aims to support integration, allowing youth from diverse backgrounds to connect meaningfully, build mutual respect, and contribute positively to their community.
- The "Learning to live democracy" project, operating in Wuppertal, is a venture focusing on finance (funding) for diversity-and-inclusion initiatives within the city's young generation.
- As part of the business strategy, the project encourages the youth to engage in discussions regarding social and political issues, promoting education-and-self-development for active participation and informed decision making.
- The policy-and-legislation aspect of the project is demonstrated in the youth's interrogation of candidates for the city mayor position, advocating for their interests, such as acquiring German citizenship and neighborhood development.
- The general-news coverage of the project highlights the success stories of bridge builders, young people who started by participating in activities at the local community center Krawatte and are now facilitating learning sessions in elementary schools, encouraging lifelong-learning for social and political change.
- Additionally, the project plans to expand its reach by offering further training for specialists in school, youth work, and congregations, promoting education-and-self-development and enhancing diversity-and-inclusion competencies for a wider audience.
