The Participation of children and young people begins in there families. The first opportunity for children to participate is for example to make there own decisions or their freedom of expression. Other possibilities to partake are in nurseries, schools, at work, at university or in politics, economics or free organisations et cetera.
In this essay, I shall analyse the opportunities to participate at the political level. Needless to say, there are high chances to partake in school, because children and young people spend a lot of time there.
At first, we have to clarify, what is participation? Raingard Knauer and Benedict Sturzenhecker defined the term as follows:
Participation is understood as the right to freedom, equality and public participation ofthe citizen to partake in public discussion and decision-making of the society, state and institution, in an institutionalized or open form.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Participation programs for children and youth at the local government level in Berlin
- The Participation of children and young people
- What is participation?
- Levels of participation
- Possibilities of participation in the fields of play and recreation planning, urban development, political processes and design of leisure, cultural and media offerings
- Participation in the commune
- Opportunities for participation in the districts of Berlin
- Children and youth bureau
- Children and youth parliament (KJP)
- Children and youth juries
- Kiezdetektive
- Youth Bank
- Summary of participation possibilities in Berlin
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay aims to analyze the opportunities for children and young people to participate at the political level in Berlin, focusing on the local government level. The essay explores the legal frameworks and existing programs that support youth participation, while also highlighting the challenges and limitations faced by young people in engaging with political processes. Key themes explored in this essay include:- The definition and significance of youth participation in democratic societies
- Different levels and forms of youth participation
- The role of local government in promoting youth participation
- The impact of participation programs and initiatives on young people's engagement and influence
- The need for greater recognition and support for youth participation in Berlin
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
This essay begins by establishing the concept of participation as a fundamental right and exploring the various levels of participation that exist, from heteronomy to autonomy. It then analyzes the different fields where young people have opportunities for participation, including play and recreation planning, urban development, and political processes. The essay continues by discussing the specific context of participation at the local government level in Berlin. It examines the legal framework for local self-government and the role of municipalities in promoting youth participation. The essay highlights the different programs and initiatives that exist in Berlin, such as children and youth bureau, children and youth parliament, and the Youth Bank. Finally, the essay critically analyzes the current state of youth participation in Berlin, highlighting the challenges and limitations that hinder meaningful participation. It concludes by arguing for the need for greater recognition and support for youth participation in order to empower young people and foster a more inclusive and democratic society.Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The key terms and concepts explored in this essay encompass the significance of youth participation in democratic societies, the legal framework for local self-government in Germany, different models of youth participation, and the specific opportunities and challenges faced by young people in Berlin. Some key terms include: participation, youth participation, democracy, local government, municipality, districts, youth bureau, children and youth parliament, children and youth juries, Kiezdetektive, Youth Bank, and Alibi participation.- Quote paper
- Sabrina Gumprich (Author), 2010, Participation of children and youth at the local government level in Berlin, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/171133
