Kempten celebrates the talents: children and young people rock the day!

Kempten celebrates the talents: children and young people rock the day!

On September 26th, the day of open child and youth work took place in Kempten, an event that offered the city's young people a platform for development. How merkur.de reported, the tournament was won by “Team Tobias”, who won both the title of tournament winner and fair play winner in the U13 category. In addition to exciting football games, visitors were able to enjoy many other activities and have fun in the market hall on Königsplatz.

Open child and youth work (OKJA) has been an integral part of social life in Kempten for many years. It not only promotes social participation, but also cohesion within the community. Relationship work is a cornerstone here that gives young people a feeling of appreciation. In addition to the indoor football tournament, there was a colorful supporting program: from designing bags to juggling activities, there was something for everyone, and DJ Felix ensured a good atmosphere until the evening hours.

A place for everyone

A central focus of the event was, as well awo.org emphasizes the promotion of inclusive concepts within youth work. The need to offer children and young people with disabilities a space for participation is increasing. Special hands-on activities offered by Julia Lienhart from the Stadtjugendring brought sensitivity to people with disabilities to the fore. Such initiatives are essential to create a shared community.

Inclusion is an important topic in child and youth work. As the Federal Association for Life Support explains on its website, the equal participation of young people with disabilities is a central challenge. Inclusive offerings such as sports groups and leisure initiatives are important for the personal development and social skills of these children. The 15th Children and Youth Report specifically addressed the challenges of inclusion, which are partly made more difficult by a lack of information and inadequate legal frameworks.

The big picture

The OKJA is supported by various institutions, including the Federal Ministry for Education, Family, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, which provides financial resources as part of the “Living Democracy” program. This support is necessary not only to make the offers visible, but also to ensure and improve their quality. The demand for predictable and permanent financing is a topic that is also repeatedly taken up in the current discussion about open work.

The Kempten Youth Commission (JUKO) collected wishes and suggestions for improvement from young people during the event. A big point of discussion was the new bus tariffs in Kempten, which are often a hindrance for young people. Such opportunities not only provide insight into the needs of the younger generation, but also strengthen the connection between the youth and the city government.

Overall, the day of open child and youth work was a successful event that made it clear how important it is to offer young people space for development and participation. In particular, the inclusion of all children and young people, regardless of their background or ability, plays a central role for the future of open youth work in Kempten and beyond.