Bottrop: New youth parliament starts with fresh enthusiasm and courage!

Bottrop: New youth parliament starts with fresh enthusiasm and courage!

On July 3, 2025, the newly elected youth parliament in Bottrop met for the first time in the council chamber. In a festive opening round, Mayor Klaus Strehl congratulated the young people and discussed the importance of courage and responsibility in political participation. With voter turnout at 39 percent, a significant increase compared to a meager 6.5 percent in 2023, young people's interest in the political process has clearly grown. We love Bottrop reports that the newly elected members want to approach their tasks with a lot of enthusiasm and fresh ideas.

The young people also found a sympathetic ear from social affairs officer Karen Alexius-Eifert. She encouraged the new members to actively ask questions and get involved right from the start of their term of office. Bastian Hirschfelder, chairman of the youth welfare committee, emphasized the importance of the topics being set by the young people themselves. This not only strengthens personal responsibility, but also promotes the development of important social skills. Bottrop.de shows that the youth parliament creates a structured opportunity for political participation for young people who can incorporate their own experiences and opinions into decision-making.

New team of speakers and support from politics

With the election of Zahra Ali and Ryan Nolte as an equal speaker team as well as the deputy speakers Ibrahim Böyütmen and Mikail Davulcu, the Youth Parliament entered its term of office strengthened. Sinem Alpugan, the previous speaker, chaired the inaugural meeting and introduced the new members to their tasks. Thomas Schwarzer, head of the Migration Department, also warmly congratulated and presented the work of the Integration Committee. The positive perception of the work of the Youth Parliament was emphasized by Mayor Bernd Tischler, who wished the new members every success.

But what makes a good youth parliament? As [Political Education NRW](https://www.politik-bildung.nrw/themen/vielfaeltig-engagiert/jugend participation) describes, it is not only important to incorporate the perspectives of young people into political decisions, but also that they have the opportunity to “learn democracy”. Participation in political processes not only promotes engagement with political issues, but also the ability to clearly articulate one's own opinions and learn to listen. These skills are indispensable in today's world and play a central role in personality development.

Challenges and opportunities of youth participation

Despite the positive developments, the new members of the youth parliament also face challenges. Sustainability in youth participation is crucial to ensure that their voices are heard not just in the short term, but in the long term. Young people often experience frustration when they are only included in certain projects and do not have the opportunity to have a lasting influence. Therefore, a constructive dialogue between generations and support from politicians is of great importance.

Overall, the Youth Parliament in Bottrop offers a large number of young people the opportunity to actively participate in the political shaping of their living space. By listening to the needs and opinions of young people, the city lays the foundation for a vibrant and committed civil society.