FERI AG promotes young people's trust in democracy and ability to engage in dialogue

Working together to build confidence in the future and promote democratic participation among young people

Democracy thrives when everyone is able to play an active role. And we firmly believe that it is particularly important to inspire young people in particular to actively shape their future. So what could be more natural than to give the students of our partner school in Bad Homburg, Gesamtschule am Gluckenstein (GAG), the opportunity to gain practical experience as part of our long-standing cooperation project FERI4Education: Sustainability as an Opportunity for the Future?

We have found the perfect partner for this in the organization Children for a Better World e.V. (short: Children). Children has been committed to supporting children and young people in developing their potential for over 30 years, and since 2024, its Generation Germany initiative has enabled young people to experience firsthand how democratic dialogue emerges.   

The project was also supported by the municipal authorities of Bad Homburg, which gave the students the opportunity to engage in direct dialogue with the city's political representatives and experience self-efficacy in the process.

Welcome by Lord Mayor Alexander Hetjes (City of Bad Homburg)

Strengthening dialogue and democratic skills through interactive learning formats

After a welcome and introduction, the young people began the guided group discussion rounds.

The first round focused on gender equality (SDG5). Guided by the question “Mom, Dad, work—what's fair?”, the young people critically examined role models, care work, and the responsibility of politicians and companies.

Round two focused on climate protection (SDG13). The question “Should products that harm the climate be more expensive?” prompted the students to discuss climate-friendly incentive mechanisms – from CO₂ pricing to municipal measures.

Together with the experienced moderators from Generation Germany, the young people developed statements on both topics and considered what concrete measures could be initiated at the local level. 

They then presented their findings to the plenary in an exciting panel discussion with Mayor Dr. Oliver Jedynak and City Councilor Tobias Ottaviani.

Panel discussion (from left to right): Sophie Weiß (Project Manager, Generation Germany, Children for a Better World e.V.), 
City Councilor Tobias Ottaviani (City of Bad Homburg), Mayor Dr. Oliver Jedynak (City of Bad Homburg)

The concluding words of thanks from Stefanie Braun-Wredenhagen, deputy headmistress of GAG, show how valuable our cooperation is and how much we can achieve with it for the school and among its students: 

"It is incredibly valuable for our students not only to learn about democracy in class, but to actually experience it. When young people feel that their opinions matter and are taken seriously, they develop genuine self-confidence and trust in democracy—and that is exactly what they need for their future. I would like to express my sincere thanks to FERI AG, the city of Bad Homburg, and Generation Germany for sending this strong joint message and for giving our students this special experience."

From left to right: Raphael Langenscheidt (Chairman of the Board, Children for a Better World e.V.), 
City Councilor Tobias Ottaviani (City of Bad Homburg), Stefanie Braun-Wredenhagen (Deputy Headmistress 
Gesamtschule am Gluckenstein), Stefanie Drögemüller (Senior Manager Communications & CSR, FERI AG), 
Marcel Renné (CEO, FERI AG), Mayor Dr. Oliver Jedynak (City of Bad Homburg)
 

Photos: Daniela Steffek Fotografie