Vienna’s great potential is its children and young people and their support is therefore the focus of Vienna’s red-pink politics.
We stand shoulder to shoulder with the Vienna Student Parliament, because Vienna offers space for children and young people to help shape their future. Our motto is that children and young people should be able to decide for their future – we already live that and are continuing to expand it in our livable city
SPÖ local councilor and education researcher Nicole Berger-Krotschsp
Vienna (OTS) – Today’s current hour in the Vienna State Parliament deals with the topic of co-determination and participation of young people. “We meet children and young people on an equal footing and encourage their voice and participation, since having a say is a right and not a privilege. Our children and youth strategy is intended to make Vienna the most child- and youth-friendly city,” explains SPÖ local councilor and education spokesperson Nicole Berger-Krotsch.
The Vienna children and youth strategy is based on the contributions of over 22,500 children and young people who contributed their topics and goals to the “Werkstadt Junges Wien” project. On June 24, 2020, this historical document was approved by the Vienna City Council.
“In this city there is a very long tradition of letting children and young people have a say and meeting them on an equal level,” says SPÖ local councilor and youth spokesperson Marina Hanke. She regrets that the measures and implementation of the City of Vienna for children and young people are being downplayed by the opposition and points to a transparent process that openly proves the opposite of the opposition.
The red-pink progress coalition is implementing the children and youth strategy 2020-2025 step by step in all business areas and giving young people tools for participation. A significant milestone is the 1st Children and Youth Parliament, the Children and Youth Million and the certification by UNICEF as a “child-friendly city”.
Particularly noteworthy is the planned stronger anchoring of the student parliament, which will be made possible from autumn by an amendment to the Vienna State Parliament’s rules of procedure. This change stipulates that the annual report of the approved motions from the student parliament will be assigned to the education committee and that the state student representatives (LSV) will have the right to speak in the education committee. This allows the LSV to present the proposals and debate them together.
“Co-determination is the heart of a vibrant democracy. It is crucial that young people have the opportunity to express their opinions and participate in decision-making. Their ideas and commitment contribute significantly to making Vienna an even better city,” Berger-Krotsch added in her speech.
“We stand shoulder to shoulder with the Vienna Student Parliament, because Vienna offers space for children and young people to help shape their future. Our motto is that children and young people should be able to decide for their future – we already live that and are continuing to expand it in our livable city.”
concluded Berger-Krotsch.
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