The Austrian Federal Youth Council and the DBJR hold talks in Berlin
The focus was on the common challenges facing youth association work in Germany and Austria. The BJV and the DBJR discussed how young people can be involved more effectively in political debates and what role youth associations play as forums for democratic education, self-organisation and advocacy.
One key focus was on political education. The DBJR presented ‘U18’ as a nationwide political education project which enables young people to gain practical experience of forming political opinions, participating in the political process and voting in the run-up to elections. The discussion centred on whether comparable formats might also be suitable for youth organisations and initiatives in Austria. The discussion also addressed the myth of a supposed requirement for neutrality and the question of how youth organisations can shape political education on the basis of democratic values and empower young people in their ability to make judgements and take action. The DBJR survey on youth association work under pressure highlighted just how much hostility and threats can undermine engagement in youth associations.
On the topic of voluntary and compulsory services, the BJV and DBJR exchanged views on shifts in the security policy discourse, conscription, civilian service and positions on youth policy. The DBJR reaffirmed its opposition to compulsory services and emphasised voluntary participation as the basis for social engagement. Both youth organisations criticised the fact that young people are not sufficiently involved in debates and reform processes concerning compulsory military service, civilian service and the reorientation of security policy. Youth participation must be structurally embedded in these issues from the outset.
Further agenda items focused on inclusive youth association work and digital participation. Discussions with the Berlin State Youth Council and the ‘Inclusion in Youth Work’ unit of the Brandenburg State Youth Council centred on methods, accessible materials, communication with parents, and diversity-sensitive protection and awareness strategies. On the topic of digital participation, participants discussed artificial intelligence, blanket bans on social media and the planned Digital Fairness Act with the BDKJ’s Digital Policy Committee. The discussion highlighted that digital participation must not be reduced to protection policies alone. What is crucial are safe platforms, media literacy, the involvement of young people, and a digital policy that integrates protection, empowerment and participation.
In addition, the delegation visited the Centre for the Prevention of Radicalisation and Engagement in Nature Conservation (FARN) run by the Nature Friends and Nature Friends Youth. The focus was on how to identify the influence of the far right in nature conservation and environmental protection contexts and how to counter it through political education, prevention and a clear democratic stance. Following on from this, the delegation held discussions with the Nature Friends Youth. The discussion also revisited the meeting in Vienna in January 2026 and deepened shared perspectives on political education, democratic engagement and cooperation between the BJV and the DBJR.
Multilateral youth policy was addressed through a presentation by the German National Committee for International Youth Work (DNK) and a discussion on youth delegate programmes for the UN General Assembly. The programme was complemented by discussions with FragDenStaat and an excursion to Youth Policy Labs.
The Bundesjugendring is delighted with the in-depth exchange with the BJV. The meeting demonstrated that youth organisations in Germany and Austria face similar challenges: How can young people be effectively involved? How can youth organisations remain capable of taking action? And how can democratic, inclusive and digital participation be strengthened at national, cross-border and European levels?
About the Federal Youth Council
The Federal Youth Representation (BJV) has been the legally established representative body for all children and young people in Austria since 2001, with social partnership status. It therefore represents around 3 million people aged up to 30. As a representative body, the BJV advocates on behalf of young people’s diverse concerns in the political arena.
The DBJR and the BJV share a long-standing partnership characterised by mutual invitations to international youth work events and joint projects. These included, amongst other things, the planning of a trilateral seminar with the Israeli youth organisation CYMI on the topic of ‘Democracy under Pressure’, which had to be cancelled, first due to the COVID-19 pandemic and later as a result of the events of 7 October.