Children's forum

The Children's Forum offers children the opportunity to contribute their concerns and ideas to local politics and to actively experience democratic processes.

The Children's Forum offers children as young as school age a platform where they can put their concerns and wishes directly to a committee of councillors and knowledgeable citizens. It not only brings the politics of the City of Aachen to life, but also shows even the youngest children that they have a voice that is heard.

Based on the format of the citizens' forum, the children's forum creates a space in which children can present their suggestions and ideas in a format that is understandable and appealing to them. However, without losing the value and path of a regular committee meeting.

The applications submitted by pupils from Aachen elementary school are presented on site by the young applicants. The administration presents answers and the children can take part in the discussion.

The Children's Forum is an extension of the existing Citizens' Dialogue and is specifically geared towards the needs of children without neglecting the structures and procedures of a regular committee meeting. As a special meeting of the Citizens' Forum, it is based on clear legal principles and at the same time takes into account the requirements of child and youth participation. This creates a space in which the youngest can present their ideas in a format that is understandable and appealing to them.

Next children's forum: 09.07.2025

Invitation to the children's forum on 09.07.2025

Poster for the children's forum

Pupils from Aachen's elementary school and accompanying professionals are cordially invited to the second Children's Forum of the City of Aachen. The applicants of the five selected applications will present their ideas to local politicians on site.

Children's Forum 2025 - at a glance:

Date: Wednesday, July 09, 2025
Time: 11:00 am - 12:30 pm (admission from 10:30 am)
Location: Grenzlandtheater Aachen, Friedrich-Wilhelm-Platz 5/6, 52062 Aachen

Children help shape urban policy

On Wednesday, July 9, 2025, the Children's Forum 2025 - a special meeting of the "Citizens' Forum" political committee - will take place at the Grenzlandtheater Aachen from 11:00 to 12:30. The focus will be on the ideas and concerns of Aachen children aged six to eleven.
The Children's Forum offers primary school children the opportunity to actively participate in city politics. The aim is to make issues that concern children visible and to discuss them together with politicians and the administration.

How the Children's Forum for the year 2025 works - The format consists of three phases:

1. submission of applications

Elementary school and open children's and youth facilities in the city of Aachen were each able to submit an application. The focus was on ideas and suggestions for improvement that affect the lives of children in Aachen.

2. vote on the motions

All applications submitted were bundled together and forwarded to the participating institutions for voting. The children from each elementary school were able to select two applications that were particularly important to them.

3. selection and preparation

The five proposals with the most votes were selected democratically and will be prepared by the administration by July 9, 2025. They form the basis for political consultation in the Children's Forum.

These five applications were selected by the participating elementary school:

1. free bus travel for Aachen children and young people
Städt. Catholic elementary school Passstraße

2nd sports days to try out different sports
Städt. Community elementary school Am Höfling

3. more green spaces and play areas in the city of Aachen
Städt. Richterich Community Primary School

4. a new crosswalk for a safe route to school
Städt. Community elementary school Malmedyer Straße

5. fall protection surface for a multifunctional field in the schoolyard
Städt. Catholic elementary school Hanbruch

With the Children's Forum, the city of Aachen is sending out a strong signal for participation and political education - and that good ideas know no age.

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