Bundesjugendring joins alliance against loneliness

The Bundesjugendring welcomes the fact that loneliness is identified as a serious social challenge in the Alliance’s declaration. It is particularly important that young people are explicitly highlighted in this context. The COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing measures and the loss of everyday interactions with peers have placed a considerable strain on many young people during a formative stage of their development. The long-term social consequences of these restrictions have long been given insufficient consideration in political deliberations.

Loneliness is not merely an individual experience, but also an expression of social inequality. The Bundesjugendring therefore expressly welcomes the fact that the Alliance’s declaration recognises the link between loneliness and poverty. Young people, in particular, are especially vulnerable to the risks of poverty. When families lack income, support structures stagnate and the costs of transport, leisure, education and social interaction rise, participation in society becomes more difficult.

Youth organisations have always counteracted this trend by acting as stable, regular structures. They create spaces in which young people can experience a sense of community, take on responsibility, develop a sense of self-efficacy and shape democratic coexistence. Their programmes are, in principle, open to all children and young people, regardless of their socio-economic background. However, rising costs, growing needs and insufficient funding are increasingly pushing this approach to its limits. Anyone wishing to effectively prevent loneliness must therefore strengthen the structures that enable social participation in everyday life.

Young people who have experienced discrimination are particularly at risk of loneliness. This includes, amongst others, young people with disabilities, queer young people and young people from migrant backgrounds. It affects young people in both rural and urban areas. They need reliable safe spaces and environments where they can interact with peers, feel a sense of belonging and experience recognition. At the same time, it is a political imperative to strengthen unifying social discourses and to counter anti-human developments such as racism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia.

“The Bundesjugendring is committed to the goals of the Alliance Against Loneliness. At the same time, the Alliance must not remain mere lip service. It needs political backing and a decisive strengthening of the established structures that effectively prevent loneliness,” says Wendelin Haag, Chair of the Bundesjugendring. “Youth organisations have always been an important protective factor: within them, young people experience a sense of community, self-efficacy and responsibility. They interact with their peers, shape democratic spaces and experience a sense of belonging. That is why these structures must be politically strengthened and secured for the long term. Loneliness cannot be tackled through projects or short-term measures alone. We need reliable places that enable participation, foster connections and show young people that they are not alone.”