Around 80 children from primary and special schools explored topics they had chosen themselves: co-determination and participation, diversity, bullying and getting on well with one another. This meant that, once again this year, the focus was on the children’s interests and questions.
Children have a say
At the annual children’s conference, the children discussed various topics in workshops and came up with solutions. They
then presented the results to their classmates.
Picture: Walter A. Müller-Wähner
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After the children had opened their conference themselves, Lord Mayor Sven Schulze welcomed them. The children then had the opportunity to ask him anything they’d always wanted to know from the Lord Mayor during an open question-and-answer session. This was followed by five workshops, the results of which were subsequently presented in a plenary session:
- Workshops 1 and 2: Children have their say! Your Chemnitz, your ideas
- Workshop 3: Diversity makes us strong
- Workshop 4: Bullying – not on with us
- Workshop 5: Together, not against each other
The children organised and hosted the event entirely on their own. Pupils from the Leonardo Independent Primary School had volunteered to lead the conference.
Dina Norberger said: “It’s particularly important to me that the children then take the outcomes and experiences of the children’s conference back to their schools. They are key ambassadors and can pass on the knowledge and ideas to their classmates.” Many of the children taking part are already involved in a children’s council at their school.
The annual Children’s Conference sends an important message to the younger generation, says Dina Norberger. “Children experience their city differently from adults and have their own wishes, ideas and needs. The Children’s Conference shows them that their concerns are important and are being listened to. At the same time, children learn in a very practical way how democratic participation works and that they can help shape their city.”