Wolfgang Berger receives the Staufer Medal for his commitment to youth education

Wolfgang Berger receives the Staufer Medal for his commitment to youth education

Wolfgang Berger received a special honor on Tuesday, October 28th. At the Pforzheim music school he was awarded the Staufer Medal of the state of Baden-Württemberg. Mayor Peter Boch presented the medal in a celebratory ceremony, recognizing Berger's extensive contributions to the common good. Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann joined this tribute and emphasized the importance of Berger's commitment to political education and youth participation. The musical framework for the event was designed by Vera and Georg Kleimann.

“Wolfgang Berger built bridges between generations, institutions as well as theory and practice,” emphasized Boch in his speech. At a time when the involvement of young people in decision-making processes is becoming increasingly important, Berger's work is particularly valuable. He spoke about how John Lennon's famous song "Imagine" inspired him and appealed for more youth participation.

A life for the youth

Wolfgang Berger was born in Güstrow in 1949 and has been in a happy marriage with two adult children since 1997. His career is a colorful mix of surveying, political science, sociology and education. From 1990 to 2016 he worked at the Baden-Württemberg State Center for Civic Education, where he focused primarily on extracurricular youth education. He was also a co-founder of the umbrella organization of youth local councils in Baden-Württemberg and campaigned for youth participation to be anchored in the local government regulations.

Berger was involved in numerous initiatives, including the first youth state parliament in 2002 and many democracy education projects. “This is not an easy task, considering that there is often very limited support for youth participation,” he said, outlining the challenges he faced.

Study on youth participation in Baden-Württemberg

A current study on municipal child and youth participation in Baden-Württemberg shows that there has been an increase in municipalities with corresponding offers since 2018. The number of communities active in the youth sector has increased from 566 to 668. However, some challenges have arisen due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A lack of skilled workers and human resources often slows progress in youth participation. 113 municipalities stated that they did not want to participate.

But the approaches seem promising: new digital methods for involving young people have gained a foothold. But as the study shows, the lack of knowledge about participation opportunities and the often low motivation of young people could represent a hurdle. A rethink is necessary here in order to improve the political and administrative conditions. Public relations plays a central role in helping young people become aware of their options.

The Staufer Medal, which Wolfgang Berger received, is an award from the Prime Minister for services to Baden-Württemberg. It was first minted in 1977 and shows Friedrich Barbarossa on the front and the coat of arms with the three lions on the back. This award is recognition for all the effort and commitment that Berger has made for youth and democracy in his state.