Shaping intergenerational justice: Parliamentary evening of the DBJR brings politics and youth organisations into dialogue

"Intergenerational justice is not an abstract term from a policy paper or a friendly addition in coalition agreements. It has a very concrete impact on how young people can live, learn, work and get involved - today and in the future," emphasised DBJR Chairman Wendelin Haag in his welcome address. "And it is one of the central democratic issues of our time. Democracy must focus on those who will live with today's decisions for the longest time."

The evening centred on current youth policy issues relating to intergenerational justice: How can pension policy be designed in such a way that young people retain confidence in social security systems? How can social policy enable participation and reduce insecurity? What framework conditions are needed for social engagement so that young people can get involved regardless of the realities of their lives? And how can young people's democratic engagement be safeguarded when democracy and civil society come under pressure?

"Young people take responsibility. They get involved in self-organised activities, stand up for democracy, contribute constructive political solutions to debates and often hold our society together where others have long since retreated," said DBJR Chairwoman Daniela Broda. However, this commitment does not emerge in a vacuum: "It takes time, infrastructure, support - and sometimes simply the certainty that participation and commitment are politically desirable."

Johannes Winkel (MP, Federal Chairman of the Junge Union), Tim Klüssendorf (MP, General Secretary of the SPD), Nyke Slawik (MP, Chairwoman of the BFSFJ Committee, B90/The Greens) and Heidi Reichinnek (MP, Chairwoman of the Left Party parliamentary group) contributed their perspectives on intergenerationally fair policies on the podium. In short opening statements, they provided impetus on intergenerationally fair pension policy, social policy, engagement policy and securing the democratic participation of young people. The contributions made it clear that intergenerational justice is a cross-cutting issue that extends far beyond individual departments.

"Intergenerational justice does not mean pitting young against old," continued Daniela Broda. "It's about ensuring that the burdens of transformation - be it in pensions, the welfare state, volunteering or democracy - are not simply dumped in the rucksacks of today's young people."

Following the panel discussion, the discussion was deepened at themed tables. Representatives from the member organisations of the Bundesjugendring, the delegates from the stage and other delegates and decision-makers had a lively exchange about the need for political action. The focus was on specific questions regarding reliable participation, social security, sustainable framework conditions for volunteering and the protection of democratic infrastructure.

The youth organisations and state youth rings in the Bundesjugendring represent more than 6 million young people. They organise themselves in a democratic, voluntary and self-determined way - from the local level to the national and European context. This makes them central centres of political education, democratic practice and social responsibility.