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Students ask mayoral candidates burning questions in Bergneustadt!
Student survey in Bergneustadt: Mayoral candidates discuss important topics such as jobs, environmental protection and youth participation.
Students ask mayoral candidates burning questions in Bergneustadt!
Today, on June 25, 2025, a special event in Bergneustadt made a name for itself: students in grades 9 to 12 sought to talk to the mayoral candidates. In the Krawinkelsaal, organized by the Social Sciences Department of the Wüllenweber High School, the candidates Dr. Christian Hannes (SPD) and Matthias Thul (CDU) were warmly welcomed by teacher Sarah Lemmer-Kahlert. Unfortunately, Jens Holger Pütz (UWG) was unable to be present.
The boys and girls had previously worked out ten questions that led to essential topics of urban development and common life in Bergneustadt. The candidates were courageous and willing to address these issues: economic growth, the creation of training and jobs, affordable housing, the vacancies in the city center, which were discussed as problematic, and environmental protection. The student body also discussed the situation of public transport and demanded solutions to renovate the schools.
Amount of points on topics
The discussions described how important it is for young people to actively participate in political processes. This view is not only shared in Bergneustadt, but is also a central concern of the SPD, which is committed to youth participation. According to the SPD Bergneustadt, social services are supported by many institutions, with associations playing a major role. The demand for more playgrounds and soccer fields for children as well as the support of youth work without restrictions are other perspectives that young people would like to see supported. For the SPD, the safety of citizens is the top priority, and the proposal to re-establish a police station is still on the table [SPD Bergneustadt] reports on the importance of supporting volunteers and promoting cultural diversity.
Controversial topics arose during the open question and answer session. The students passionately discussed the city's community utilities and a planned medical care center. This lively debate made it clear that opportunities for political participation for young people are not only available, but also necessary. “Politics must be experienced” was a central concern of the event, which the candidates also emphasized in their closing words.
Importance of youth participation
The importance of youth participation for a vibrant democracy is supported by various arguments. Thanks to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, municipalities are obliged to integrate the perspectives of children and young people into their decision-making processes. However, there are still gaps in perception and participation that need to be closed. This is also reflected in the experience of many young people, who are often not sufficiently taken into account, although they nevertheless show a great interest in shaping their living conditions [jugendrechte.de] emphasizes this emphatically.
The exchange during the event was a serious step in the right direction. Only an active dialogue between young citizens and their political representatives can lead to a sustainable positive development of the community. The students are the future of Berneustadt, and their voices are in demand. Both mayoral candidates strongly encouraged young people to exercise their right to vote and to recognize the importance of local politics.