The Future of North Rhine-Westphalia-Participation of the Youth as Part of a Social Transformation towards Sustainable Development

Mona Treude, Dorothea Schostok, Oscar Reutter and Manfred Fischedick
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Mona Treude: Wuppertal Institute, Döppersberg 19, Wuppertal 42103, Germany
Dorothea Schostok: Wuppertal Institute, Döppersberg 19, Wuppertal 42103, Germany
Oscar Reutter: Wuppertal Institute, Döppersberg 19, Wuppertal 42103, Germany
Manfred Fischedick: Wuppertal Institute, Döppersberg 19, Wuppertal 42103, Germany

Sustainability, 2017, vol. 9, issue 6, 1-13

Abstract: The future belongs to the youth, but do they really have a say in it? Learning processes with regard to a successful socio-ecological change must start in childhood and adolescence in order to succeed in social transformation. The youth cannot be a passive part in a changing society—they have to be actively included in its design. When allowed to participate, young people can make important and effective contributions—which should not be reduced to sub-projects and opportunity structures. In a socio-political context, participation means involvement, collaboration, and commitment. In the context of intra- and inter-generational equity, as the core part of sustainable development, participation strategies should be developed that allow for a permanent and purposeful involvement of children and adolescents. Participation of young people is an important and appropriate step in strengthening those who are so strongly affected by the planning processes but are otherwise powerless. A successful involvement and participation of non-professional actors requires a target group-oriented method, a supportive culture of participation, as well as clarity and decision latitude. Abiding by these rules leads to central results.

Keywords: participation; youth; social transformation; sustainability; political science (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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