Study Visit in Baden-Württemberg, Germany

From 4.-11. of November 2018, the second study trip for the alumni of the Political Academy and members of the National Youth Congress took place in the state of Baden-Württemberg (BW, one of the federal states in Germany). During that week the participants got to know the political system of Germany, which is divided into four levels, whereby the state level and the federal level are superordinate structures.

The group got an introduction from Anja Dargatz. Head of FES in BW, to the current socio-political debates in BW and Germany, and met social-democratic politicians like the member of the Bundestag Josip Juratovic and the member of state-parliament in BW Gabi Rolland as well as the Jusos (Young Socialists) in BW. They got to know the work of the Trade Unions and the representation of workers interest through the workers' council, which even has a youth representation. As part of the program, the group visited the Audi Factory and got acquainted with the working conditions there. In addition, the group was able to meet Dr. Knut Krohn, the editor-in-chief of the newspaper Stuttgarter Nachriten and discuss with him about media and current political developments in Germany. Afterwards the participants got a tour through the newspaper.

In addition, we got to know the work of youth organizations and youth structures in Stuttgart and learned about the high status of youth work in BW.

All in all, the program offered participants a variety of insights into the socio-political work of various organizations in Baden-Württemberg.