CVJM Oberbarmen's Undertakings: Examining the State of Democracy
At the CVJM-Treff "Youth Cafe," more than just a counter, a sofa, and a foosball table can be found - there's also a globe. Sometimes, the teens use it to show the country they, their parents, or grandparents immigrated from to Wuppertal. But the global village isn't just present on the globe in the Youth Cafe; it's also on smartphones, where discussions about the war in Ukraine, the Middle East, or American politics are common on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and WhatsApp.
"Over-reliance on social media for political information worries me," confesses Björn Malkus, secretary of the CVJM Elberfeld. "Many young people consume what they see in posts and videos without question, but much of it is mere propaganda, parading as facts."
State and City Funding for the Project
To prompt young people to scrutinize the countless opinions circulating, Malkus has initiated the project "Democracy - Let's Discuss." Before the federal elections, he provided an informative series on the topic of elections for young people aged 16 to 26. Now, with funding from the city and state, he continues with biweekly events like "Pizza & Propaganda" and a thematic brunch or "parliamentary breakfast," where the inner workings of the German political system are explained and debated (see info box). "Politics often appears complex, but it influences everything meaningful in our lives: freedom, justice, future," Malkus explains. "I seek to convey this to young people in an appealing and conversational manner, not just during school lessons."
Shared meals create the perfect atmosphere for discussing, asserts Malkus. They foster an easygoing ambiance that makes open discussions possible. But this too necessitates learning. "Many young people don't know how to discuss politics factually or express their views," he notes. "They may exchange political material on social media, but they avoid personal political debates."
Thorough Research for Fact-Checking
"Pizza & Propaganda" was launched in mid-May, and Malkus found it was difficult to distinguish fact from fiction. "The AfD presented a video claiming over 80% of arrest warrants in Germany involved people without German citizenship," recalls Malkus. "The figure is correct, but the conclusion is incorrect. People without a German passport aren't inherently more criminal than Germans."
In his research, he discovered that the statistic referred to arrest warrants at a specific time. "If we look at the total annual arrests, the statistics vary." Moreover, cases involving failed deportations were included. "Imprisonment and deportation alone don't fix the problem. We must also address integration."
Many of today's difficulties aren't easy to solve, Malkus stresses - neither with over-simplified solutions from the right- nor the left-wing extremists. He plans to scrutinize the left-wing extremists at the next "Pizza & Propaganda" meeting.
Insights
Critically analyzing political information, understanding the German political system, and fostering meaningful conversations are essential components of the CVJM Elberfeld's "Democracy - Let's Talk About It" project. Strategies such as critical thinking workshops, social media literacy education, fact-checking exercises, guest lectures, case studies, and mentorship programs empower young people with the skills to navigate political information and comprehend their role in the German democratic system. Additionally, youth-led initiatives, collaborations with schools, and community outreach can ensure the project's message remains accessible and relevant to a diverse audience. By implementing these strategies, the project can instill political literacy in young people, enabling them to engage effectively in our globalized world.
- Amidst the global village on social media, discussions about politics, general news, entertainment, and personal growth are prevalent, yet Björn Malkus, secretary of the CVJM Elberfeld, worries about the over-reliance on these platforms for political information due to the spread of propaganda.
- The "Democracy - Let's Discuss" project, spearheaded by Malkus and supported by city and state funding, seeks to address this concern by hosting events like "Pizza & Propaganda" and thematic brunches, aiming to break down the complexities of politics and foster factual discussions on the German political system.
- Moreover, the project emphasizes the importance of education-and-self-development and critical thinkings skills, recognizing that many young people need guidance on how to discuss politics factually and express their views, not just in school lessons but also in the wider context of personal growth and social media.
