Cover letter – Children and Youth Parliament of Neukölln

Dear parents,

Your child has been drawn as one of 150 young people to be a member of the new Neukölln Children’s and Youth Parliament. There, children and young people from the district come together and jointly represent the interests of young people in Neukölln vis-à-vis politics, administration and the public. The Children and Youth Parliament (KJP) is supported by the Neukölln Children and Youth Office.

We would like to encourage you to help your child as a member of the KJP. If you need support in this, please feel free to contact us at any time!

Here you will get all the information that is important for you:

  • The children and youth parliament meets at least 5 times a year. It is accompanied throughout by pedagogical personnel.
  • In October the first event of the children and youth parliament will take place. All its members will meet for the first time.
  • For meetings during school hours there is a school exemption. Communication with the school is handled by the pedagogical personnel of the Children’s and Youth Parliament.
  • Participation is absolutely free of charge.
  • Your child has also received a letter. If your child is not yet able to read it, please help him/her or read the letter aloud, if possible.
  • Please fill out the enclosed feedback form with your child and sign it. If your child is already 18 years old, he/she can do this on his/her own.

Do you have any questions about the Children’s and Youth Parliament? Then please come to one of our info meetings. These will take place on September 23rd and October 01st from 5-6:00 p.m. at the Children and Youth Office Neukölln (Aronsstraße 120, 12057 Berlin).

You are welcome to just drop by and bring your child too! But you can also call us or write an email, then we will answer your questions via these channels.

Why have a children’s and youth parliament?

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, children and young people have a right to participate. That’s why it’s important that your child decides for himself/herself whether he/she wants to participate or not. Please talk to your child about it, but let your child find his/her own way to a decision. In the children’s and youth parliament, your child can get involved and learn to represent his or her own perspective, discuss with others and gain important democratic skills. Your child will receive a certificate of volunteerism for their involvement.

If your child wants to participate, but you see problems with the implementation, please feel free to contact us. We will help you and discuss possible solutions. If you have any further questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact us at any time via the contact channels provided.

All the best & best regards

Caro Salzmann and Susanne Hermann from the Children and Youth Office Neukölln