We protect the future of our children and youth: Internationaler Bund (IB) demonstrates against drastic cuts on World Children's Day

Berlin, 20 September 2023 – Under the slogans "Don't cut us away" and "100,000 volunteers – 0 recognition", around 3,000 demonstrators – including around 200 members of Internationaler Bund (IB) and numerous children's and youth associations – gathered on World Children's Day to protest against the planned cuts in the field of child and youth work.

The demonstration started at Berlin Central Station, passed the Brandenburg Gate and finally ended loudly at Potsdamer Platz. In a symbolic action, after the closing rally all demonstrators burst colourful balloons bearing the word "future".

The background to this impressive protest is the planned cuts in the federal Children and Youth Plan (KJP), affecting up to one-fifth of the funds. Youth associations as well as social work at schools and in voluntary services are particularly affected by these drastic cuts. In 2024, funding is to be reduced by 25 percent, while youth migration services must expect a decline of up to 40 percent. These savings are made at the wrong end and send a fatal signal – especially on World Children's Day.

IB Chairman of the Board Thiemo Fojkar and board colleague Karola Becker took part and held up the placards.

"If politicians really implement these cuts, it would be a fatal signal for the future of the young generation – in several respects: it endangers democracy, because extremism prevention would have to be stopped. It endangers prosperity, because vocational education would also be cut. But this is important to give young people prospects and to counter the shortage of skilled workers. Last but not least, these savings would mean less civic engagement, that is, less togetherness in Germany. We are demonstrating against that!" said Thiemo Fojkar.

The members of Internationaler Bund (IB) travelled from various regions of Germany and were represented in Berlin together with IB Hochschule für Gesundheit und Soziales. IB's youth migration services play a decisive role in supporting young refugees and are actively involved in extremism prevention. Nationwide, around 100,000 young people are engaged in voluntary services, active in social or ecological projects in Germany or abroad.

The impressive demonstration on World Children's Day showed the determination of the participants to defend the rights and chances of the young generation and to stop the planned cuts.