Partnership for democracy

The original idea of this project was to create an exhibition that would draw attention to human rights violations. As a youth forum, it was particularly important to us to draw Wolfsburg's attention to the situation of the Uyghurs, as very little is otherwise known about it. The idea of putting up mirrors with slogans came from the Uyghur Youth Initiative, which had already implemented this project. We suggested doing the same in cooperation with them. We chose sayings that would encourage viewers to think and reflect while looking at their own reflection. We also provided QR codes to provide further information on the situation in East Turkestan.

At the opening event of our exhibition in the town hall, we also wanted to introduce visitors to the culture of the Uyghurs. That is why there was authentic food, traditional music and the opportunity to take photos in traditional clothing. After the joint opening evening, the mirrors and information posters remained on display in the town hall for some time and were accessible to the public.

As a small group in the Youth Forum, we hadn't had many opportunities to get to know politics up close and were not very well networked, so we were delighted to have the opportunity to take part in a political education trip together with the Youth Advisory Council. We had already set up smaller projects, but the visit to the EU Parliament was ideal for gaining a better understanding of the political system and dealing with it for future projects.

Previously, we had only met individual members of the Youth Council, but the time we spent together in the hostel and on the excursions quickly turned us into a large group. Similar to the Youth Forum meetings, there was a mixture of a relaxed atmosphere and discussion of politics, especially the upcoming European elections at the time. To motivate young people to vote, we shot videos for social media during the trip. The excursions to the European Parliament Visitor Center ("Parlamentarium") and the European Parliament were exciting, but we also noticed the darker side of Brussels. Our hostel, which was located just outside the city center, showed us that Brussels is also a city of poverty and crime, which was at least as educational as the educational trip itself. All in all, the trip to Brussels, with interesting excursions, discussions with members of parliament and the tour of the city, was not only a political education, but also a really cool trip with other politically interested young people.

The "Equality" project is a photography exhibition for children and adults that focuses on the value of equality. It is the result of a partnership between the Ehmen-Mörse elementary school in Wolfsburg and the Joyful Learning School in Sunyani, Ghana. Portraits of Ghanaian and German children were juxtaposed and accompanied by quotes from the children. A pair of 2 portraits of children was formed if there was a great similarity in the answers to what makes the child happy or sad. The compilation of the pictures of the German and Ghanaian partner pupils is intended to encourage people to recognize in diversity what connects all people - no matter where they come from.

The sensitive portraits of children from both schools are intended to show a world beyond skin color and origin, in which everyone is connected by their humanity. This connectedness emerges in the children's answers. The exhibition, sponsored by the Partnership for Democracy, was presented at a charity concert, the Africa Network Conference and at World Children's Day.

In the "Seerose" project, a music video was shot by Wolfsburg rapper Adalet that focuses on important democratic values. The video tells the story of two main characters: a refugee child from the Gaza Strip and a police officer. It is intended to set an example of empathy and humanity by drawing attention to the challenges and suffering of underage asylum seekers who have fled. In an impressive key scene, the policeman helps the child up again and gives him attention and trust. The scene symbolizes the need to build bridges between people of different backgrounds and perspectives.

According to the artist, the music video (click here to watch the video) is also in memory of the deceased police officer Rouven L., who lost his life in the knife attack in Mannheim on May 31, 2024. "Seerose" is a fine example of how music has the power to promote social values and contribute to a culture of togetherness.