Together with the initiative Diskutier Mit Mir (Discuss With Me), we bring citizens and members of the Bundestag into a direct exchange with each other via group chat.

Less than one-third of teenagers and young adults feel they can influence politics. This is in stark contrast to the political self-image and the will to change this part of our society.¹ But not only among young people but also among those of us who are older, we cannot afford resignation – given what is at stake. In a time marked by profound transformations and numerous crises, democratic societies and political structures must adapt to the challenges and continue to develop.

Parliament plays a central role in connecting people to the processes of decision-making and legislation. It has long been clear that it takes more than the annual ballot to inspire and engage citizens in addressing the pressing issues of the future. There are many reasons why public engagement is mutually beneficial for parliaments, elected officials, and society. Most importantly, it supports the essential functions of parliament by providing access to the breadth and depth of information and ideas needed for representation, legislation, public policy formulation, and community oversight.²

It needs contemporary formats that meet these needs. We are committed to ensuring that parliaments represent all people in our society. To this end, we create places for networking between civil society and politics and support people who bring a breath of fresh air to parliaments with progressive ideas on their way to political office. Together with the initiative Diskutier Mit Mir (Discuss With Me), we are now launching a new project that will sustainably strengthen the link between civil society and parliament.