Reclaiming the Future: Children’s Rights and Intergenerational Justice
In 1986, Herbert Grönemeyer penned a poignant line in his song: "Die Welt gehört in Kinderhände … Kinder an die Macht" ("The world belongs in the hands of children… Children to power"). However, the current political landscape paints a starkly different picture, with children and young people facing an alarming disconnect from power and meaningful participation.
A Failure of Democracy
Despite representing the future, children’s interests have been consistently marginalized in recent debates. The upcoming German federal election serves as a glaring example, with issues such as education, climate action, and technological progress taking a backseat to a "distribution struggle" focused on short-term interests.
Conservative parties propose massive tax cuts that disproportionately benefit high earners, primarily the aging baby boomer generation. Left-leaning parties, while promising higher taxes for the wealthy, also advocate for increased social benefits, effectively transferring wealth from younger to older generations.
This intergenerational divide is further exacerbated by inadequate investments in education, infrastructure, and sustainability. As a result, Germany’s public infrastructure is deteriorating, its defense capabilities are weakening, and economic and societal transformation is being delayed.
A Time for Change
This political neglect of young and future generations constitutes a fundamental failure of democracy. In the upcoming election, 59% of voters will be over 50 years old, while only 13% will be under 30. This imbalanced representation grants disproportionate influence to the interests of the aging population, at the expense of those who will bear the brunt of future challenges.
Empowering the Future
To address this democratic deficit, it is imperative to strengthen the fundamental rights of young and future generations in Germany’s constitution. This should be done through three key measures:
-
Right to a Self-Determined Life in Dignity: This includes substantial investments in infrastructure, education, and social services to ensure a baseline level of well-being for all.
-
Right to a Viable and Intact Planet: This entails increased funding for environmental protection, climate mitigation, and global solidarity to safeguard the future of our planet and its inhabitants.
-
Right to Intergenerational Solidarity and Social Peace: This requires reforms to the debt brake and social systems to promote a fair balance between generations and ensure that the burden of societal challenges is shared equitably.
A New Generation Contract
Beyond legal protections, fostering reconciliation and shared values between generations is also crucial. Despite their age differences, both the baby boomer generation and young people share a desire for a prosperous and just future. It is time for Germany to establish a new generation contract that explicitly recognizes and upholds the rights of young and future generations.
Benefits of Empowered Youth
In addition to ensuring intergenerational justice, empowering children and young people brings tangible benefits to society as a whole. As Herbert Grönemeyer observed in his song, "Macht dem Trübsal ein Ende" ("Put an end to gloom"), the optimism and energy of youth can serve as a catalyst for positive change and lift the depressive pall that often hangs over our society.
By prioritizing the interests of young and future generations, we not only ensure their well-being but also invest in a more sustainable and prosperous future for all. The time has come for Germany to embrace the transformative power of "Kinder an die Macht" and create a society that truly values the hopes and aspirations of its children.
