"You have the choice": Democracy conference dedicated to the upcoming European elections
29.04.2024 – On June 9, the members of the European Parliament will be newly elected in Brussels. 350 million people from 27 EU countries are entitled to vote; in Germany, almost 65 million Germans and other citizens of the European Union (EU) can decide on the future composition of the Parliament.
For the first time, young people are also being called to vote: Because 16 and 17-year-olds can also take part, the Partnership for Democracy invited them to a democracy conference on Wednesday, April 17. "You have the choice" was the theme of the event at the KJK in Sandgasse, and apart from members of the children's and youth parliament, which deals with participation "by profession", hardly any young people had made their way to Sandgasse.
"If schools or parents don't motivate people, the topic is unfortunately of no interest," said Frank Weber, head of the public order department, who was standing in for Paul Gerhard Weiß, head of the public order and prevention department, who was unable to attend. "Brussels is far away and democracy is taken for granted. Yet the right to vote is a privilege in Germany and Europe. We are asked, we can have our say and help shape things. Only indirectly, of course, with our cross on the ballot paper. Democracy doesn't seem sexy, but it is the basis for a free, self-determined life and a society that allows for diversity." Weber believes it is worth reflecting on this and points to the numerous achievements at EU level from which children and young people also benefit: Rules for toys and the obligation to refrain from using plasticizers and other chemicals that are harmful to health, or Europe-wide roaming, which enables communication at domestic rates. Two examples of many topics that are perhaps dealt with in a very abstract way in the EU Parliament but have a concrete impact on the lives of people between Finland, Sweden, Spain, Croatia and Cyprus. Not in the form of regulations, but as sensible common provisions for the benefit of all. Environmental protection, security, migration, social policy, consumer rights, the economy, the rule of law - these fields affect everyone and every individual.
Such as data protection, for example, which was discussed in the 2015 film "Democray - in the frenzy of data"; the camera team followed the struggle of MEPs and parliamentarians for data protection reform. "Without trust no economy": if data is the new oil, according to Vivian Reding, who held the position of Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship until mid-2014, then appropriate directives are needed. She successfully negotiated this, and in 2016 she was awarded the GDD Data Protection Prize for her "commitment to the creation of the European General Data Protection Regulation". The GDPR (European General Data Protection Regulation) has been in force throughout Europe since May 25, 2018 and protects personal data on the one hand and ensures the free movement of data within the European Single Market on the other.
Good cookies, bad cookies and the AI
The subsequent discussion, which was moderated by Sarah Hohmann, also showed that there is still a need for clarification in this area. Especially when it comes to personal data, there is sometimes a great lack of knowledge. This was also confirmed by one of the young people who took part in the discussion: she had previously used the internet in a carefree and trusting manner, and it had never occurred to her that her data could be misused. On the contrary, she assumed that her data was protected and had therefore agreed to the declarations when downloading apps without hesitation. "I've never thought about cookies before," said one of her peers, "and I always confirm this without hesitation." Cookies are small text files that create user profiles. A distinction is made between those that are technically necessary and those that are not. Another young person asked whether people were not too carefree with their own data, "because we trust that EU laws will protect us accordingly." Many of those present agreed.
Especially as the film makes it clear that although the draft legislation of the GDPR is intended to protect EU citizens, it naturally also takes into account the interests of the individual member states and many lobbyists.
The topic of AI was also discussed intensively, with the young people hoping for regulations from the EU, as many are aware of the danger of false images and news. They fear fake news through images or videos created with AI, while others reported bullying through manipulated images.
"At this point at the latest, young people who are on the internet and social media should start thinking," says Daniel Krüger from the Municipal Prevention Office at the city's Public Order Office, "and consider the value of elections and the work of the European Parliament. What's more, they should inform themselves and ask themselves: What kind of world do I want to live in and therefore use their right to vote on June 9?"
