Kids Have Their Say

Instead of shooting hoops outside, Fabian Schumacher is attending a meeting at the local elementary school to discuss a new project called "Emily Angel." The idea is to encourage local businesses to put a sticker on their door indicating that they represent a safe haven where children and youths can find help if they find themselves in trouble.

In addition to going to high school and playing soccer and basketball, the 17-year-old is a member of the Youth Parliament in Herdecke, a town of 26,000 in Germany's Ruhr Valley.

Fabian and his 30 or so fellow parliamentarians were elected at the local schools to serve a two-year term. Their job is to represent the interests of their fellow classmates to the mayor and the city council.

The Children's Charity of Germany estimates that there are well over 100 such youth organizations in the country and 40 alone in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia, where Herdecke is located. Some are in the form of a parliament, while in other cases youth representatives are invited to present requests to city councils.

Bringing about change

Herdecke's Mayor Hans-Werner Koch was skeptical of the parliament when it was founded nine years ago. Now he's changed his tune: "We hear first-hand what the children and the youth want."

He's not necessarily required to implement those wishes, though the young parliamentarians have brought about a few concrete changes around town, like relocating bike paths and bus stops.

"You can achieve a lot," said 12-year-old Lea Grams, who has been a parliamentarian in Herdecke since the third grade and is also part of the North Rhine-Westphalia state youth parliament.

Giving back to society

She said the city council takes her and her colleagues seriously and that she has the feeling she's helping other young people.

With school, homework and sports practice, Lea's schedule is full. "Sometimes I have to miss another activity for the youth parliament, but it's worth it to me to be able to participate in the decision-making," she said.

Not only do the young representatives give something back to the community, they also take away valuable lessons, said Koch -- like learning the rules of democracy and "that it's worth standing up for the common good."