Political youth education workshop: Right-wing extremism, youth participation and activation in associations
One focus of the workshop was a booklet on right-wing extremism. The exchange made it clear how important political youth education is in order to categorise current developments, remain capable of taking action and address relevant topics in practice. It also became clear that materials and professional impulses play an important role in supporting youth organisations in their confrontation with anti-democratic tendencies.
A further insight was provided into a participation format that gives young people the opportunity to contribute their questions and concerns directly to political processes at a local level. It became clear that political youth education and youth participation are closely linked: Where young people are able to contribute their perspectives, familiarise themselves with political processes and formulate their own concerns, concrete experiences of self-efficacy and democratic co-determination are created.
There was also a great deal of discussion on current issues and practical needs. One of the topics discussed was how to win over more people from the organisational structures for youth policy issues. It became clear that interest does not only depend on the topic, but also strongly on the format, approach, visibility and concrete points of contact. It was particularly emphasised that low-threshold access, recognisable faces, everyday approaches and cross-association formats can strengthen interest.
The participation of young people in the organisation of cities and communal spaces was also discussed. The dialogue made it clear that it is often challenging to set suitable topics and reach young people in the long term. At the same time, various approaches were identified that could strengthen local political youth education and participation, for example through specific events, good public relations work, direct encounters with contact persons and a stronger link between education and participation formats.
The workshop thus made it clear once again that political youth education in youth organisations must both respond to social challenges and open up concrete spaces for participation, exchange and political self-education. It provided a space to share current experiences, reflect together on practical issues and take away ideas for future work.
About the Political Youth Education Centre and its formats, networking, knowledge transfer and professional and collegial exchange in the field of political youth education in youth association work on projects, questions and ideas of the participants are bundled. The formats are open to all interested and active participants from the member organisations of the German Federal Youth Council who wish to exchange ideas and participate in the topics of political education and democracy education.
Further dates for the Political Youth Education Workshop can be found at Dates and events to find. The Political Youth Education mailing list is available for further networking and the exchange of information, impulses and events in the field of political youth education in youth organisation work. Inclusion in the mailing list is open to all interested, active and responsible parties in the field of political youth education in youth organisations and associations. Political Youth Education Centre for inclusion in the mailing list.