U18 election: Children and adolescents can choose from European elections

U18 election: Children and adolescents can choose from European elections

In the entire Federal Republic, the self-organized polling stations of the U18 election will open from May 27th to 31st. All children and adolescents under the age of 18 can go to the ballot boxes at U18 on the occasion of the European elections. The project thus enables political youth education and promotes understanding of democratic decision -making processes. Unlike usual, all young people have a voice and can discuss the topics that play a role for them. At U18, they also deal with democratic elections very practically-whether as a "election helper" in a U18 election restaurant, as an organizer*in a valley group with candidates or as elected. U18 is one of the largest extra -curricular education initiatives in Germany. It is open and low -threshold, creates opportunities for political youth education on site, is youth -oriented and is fun. The nationwide result of the U18 elections will be published on Monday, June 3 at 12:00 p.m. via the website www.u18.org and by press release.

The children's and youth choice U18 has always been held nine days before an official election date since 1996. Children and adolescents deal with political elections, state elections, state elections as well as many local elections with political events, deal with the topics that are important to them and ultimately make their election decision. Without exception, all young people under the age of 18 can participate. They organize workshops and actions on political issues, discussions with politicians and deal with democratic elections and the perception of their political interests through various parties. This is how U18 strengthens democracy in two directions: young people become visible with their political interests and at the same time enliven democratic elections through their ideas, their political interests and their commitment.

"Young people can and want to learn and learn democracy and help shape them through their ideas and interests. U18 gives young people a voice. Participation of young people strengthens our democracy. This is now the right time - also because of the right -wing extremist attacks on freedom democracy," says Wendelin Haag, chairman of the German Federal Youth Rings.

"There is hardly a better Initiative of political education than U18. Here young people deal with politics and bring their positions into politics. This is in the spirit of child rights and our democratic community," says Thomas Krüger, President of the German Child Aid Plant.

In Berlin, numerous U18 election stations are opened across the entire city to give children and young people the opportunity to give their voice to the European elections. The polling stations are usually organized on a voluntary basis by youth groups and initiatives, youth associations and rings, youth clubs, schools and other facilities in which young people like to meet and become active. These initiatives offer workshops and actions on political issues and enable discussions with politicians. They are committed to ensuring that young people perceive their political interests and incorporate their opinion in democratic decision -making processes.

U18 elections are carried out by the organizers of the many U18 election stations and advised, networked and supported by a network of state coordinators and their providers and sponsors. This network includes the German Federal Youth Ring, the German Children's Aid Work, the State Youth Rings and many youth associations. The U18 European Chase 2024 is coordinated by the German Federal Youth Ring. U18 is funded by the Federal Ministry for Family, Seniors, Women and Youth and the Federal Center for Political Education.

Here is a table that contains some of the most important information about U18:

| Initiator | Organizer | Sponsor/sponsor | Website |
| ——————— | --————— | ——————————————- |
| German Federal Youth Ring | Youth groups and initiatives, youth associations and rings, youth clubs, schools and other facilities in which young people meet | German children's aid work, state youth rings, many youth associations | www.u18.org/kontakt |

The U18 election is a unique education initiative that enables children and adolescents to deal with political processes at an early stage and to contribute their political interests and ideas. In Berlin, young people have the opportunity to give their voice to the European election and to actively participate in democracy. U18 promotes understanding of democratic decision -making processes and creates opportunities for political education on site that is open, low -threshold and youth -oriented. Through U18, young people become visible and enliven democratic elections with their ideas and their commitment. It is an important initiative to strengthen democracy and encourage young people to get involved politically.

Source: German Kinderhilfswerk e.V./OTS