North Rhine-Westphalia’s 16th Youth Parliament has brought 195 young people aged 16 to 20 into the state parliament in Düsseldorf, where they are taking on the roles of elected lawmakers for three days.
Running from 12 to 14 November, the programme includes party-group and committee sessions as well as discussions with experts. Participants selected two issues from eight proposals: strengthening digital media literacy and democracy education, and reintroducing a KulturPass at state level.
Their motions are due to be debated and voted on during a plenary session on Saturday, 14 November, beginning at 10 a.m. The session will be livestreamed.
State parliament president André Kuper said democracy depends on people taking part, having their say and accepting responsibility.
First held in 2008, the Youth Parliament gives 16- to 20-year-olds a chance to develop positions, build majorities and experience how parliamentary decisions are made.
