Youth in Osnabrück express unity through musical presentation
In the heart of Germany, the city of Osnabrück is making waves with its latest project, "Children's Perspectives for Politics." This innovative initiative, organised by Exil e.V., aims to give children a platform to express their unique perspectives of the city and foster a sense of belonging and diversity.
The centrepiece of the project is a music video for the song "Osnabrück is Our Town," which was premiered at VfL Osnabrück's stadium and later presented at the town hall. The video, created by students from Stuveschule and Grundschule Haste, showcases the city's landmarks, from the Moskaubad to the city library, and culminates at the stadium, fulfilling many participants' heart's desires. The song's refrain, "There's room for all of us here," resonates strongly with the project's message of inclusivity.
Ceyda Güler, the project manager for "Children's Perspectives for Politics," has been instrumental in bringing this project to life. The video features children from diverse backgrounds, including participants from initial reception facilities in Osnabrück and Hesepe. The project's goal is to bring these children together and give them a voice in shaping their city's future.
The video has been warmly received by Osnabrück's political leaders. Mayor Katharina Pötter praised the young creatives for their creativity and joy in presenting Osnabrück, emphasising that everyone belongs in Osnabrück and that the message of inclusivity is important and taken seriously.
The results of the collected wishes and suggestions will be presented to city politics by the end of autumn 2026. These results are expected to serve as an impetus for city politics to involve young people more strongly in decisions, ensuring that the voices of the city's future leaders are heard.
The "Children's Perspectives for Politics" project is part of the broader "SpürnOSes - We are Osnabrück!" project by the Exil e.V. association. This ongoing project is aimed at fostering diversity, participation, and belonging in the city of Osnabrück. With initiatives like "Children's Perspectives for Politics," Osnabrück continues to set a strong example for other cities to follow.
[1] City of Osnabrück Press Release [2] Exil e.V. Project Page
- The music video for "Osnabrück is Our Town," created as part of the Children's Perspectives for Politics project, showcases the city's landmarks, making it an excellent depiction of the local lifestyle, blending elements of home-and-garden, fashion-and-beauty, and entertainment.
- The passionate message of inclusivity in the refrain "There's room for all of us here" not only echoes the project's ethos but also aligns with the principles of education-and-self-development, promoting understanding, tolerance, and diversity.
- The future of the City of Osnabrück's political landscape may witness significant changes as decisions are made based on the ideas and suggestions of young people, derived from the Children's Perspectives for Politics project and reflected in the broader SpürnOSes - We are Osnabrück! project, demonstrating a commitment to fostering participation and belonging.
