Democracy under pressure - experts discuss strategies against right-wing attacks

HdJ Geschäftsführerin Kirstin Weis, Helge Lindh (MdB, SPD), Ansgar Heveling (MdB, CDU) und Lars Reisner (DBJR) im Gespräch bei der HdJ Fachveranstaltung

DBJR

How can child and youth welfare organisations respond to increasing attacks from the right? This question was the focus of the youth policy event "Democracy under pressure!" on 15 October 2025 at the Haus der Jugendarbeit und Jugendhilfe (HdJ) in Berlin. Experts and committed individuals from practice, academia and associations came together to develop strategies for strong, democratic child and youth services.

The HdJ is an association of four nationwide youth welfare organisations: the Arbeitskreis deutscher Bildungsstätten (AdB), the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Kinder- und Jugendhilfe (AGJ), the Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Kinder- und Jugendschutz (BAJ) and the Deutscher Bundesjugendring (DBJR). DBJR Managing Director Kirstin Weis is currently also Managing Director of the HdJ. Together, the four organisations shape the HdJ as a place for political dialogue and youth policy networking.

After a welcome address by HdJ Chairman Mike Corsa and Managing Director Kirstin Weis, educational scientist Jana Sämann (University of Siegen) opened the event with a keynote speech on anti-democratic influences on youth welfare. In four parallel workshops, topics such as right-wing extremist discourse strategies, conspiracy narratives in social media and the threat to civil society spaces ("shrinking spaces") were then explored in greater depth.

In the concluding panel discussion, moderated by Lars Reisner, Kirstin Weis, Ansgar Heveling (MP, CDU) and - replacing Saskia Esken at short notice - Helge Lindh (MP, SPD) discussed political responsibility and support for democratic youth welfare. All participants emphasised the need to strengthen youth welfare services and take a clear stance against right-wing attacks.

The specialist event made it clear that democracy education and youth work are inextricably linked. The DBJR will continue to work together with the partner organisations in the HdJ to ensure that young people and their organisations can work in an open society based on solidarity.

Themen: Democracy Youth Associations