Vienna (PK) – What does a working day actually look like for MPs? How does one bring about a law and what is the role of MPs? Pupils from Vienna and Burgenland can pursue these and similar questions for a whole day on April 21, 2023 in Parliament. National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka invites prospective young voters to a youth parliament in the Hohes Haus am Ring for the first time since the renovation of the parliament building.
From now on, all school classes in the 9th grade from both federal states can apply to participate by submitting an exciting contribution to the question “What does democracy mean for you?” Submit. The application period for this runs up to and including March 8, 2023.
Learning to understand parliament and its tasks
As in everyday parliamentary life, clubs are formed, draft laws are discussed in committees and then discussed and voted on in the plenary session. Finding alliances and compromises across club borders or convincing the “political opponents” of your own point of view – all of this is just as much a part of this day as preparing speeches or answering questions from interested journalists or camera teams. Throughout the day, the young people are on hand to support and advise them in their work.
The goals of the youth parliament
The youth parliament wants to interest 15 to 16-year-olds who are about to reach voting age in democratic decision-making processes and help them to better understand parliamentary processes. The school classes of the 9th grade of the federal state that currently holds the presidency of the Bundesrat or held it in the previous half-year are invited to apply for participation in the youth parliament. On the day of arrival, April 20th, the students are welcomed into Parliament and have the opportunity to explore the newly renovated premises of the House and also to tune in to the subject that will be discussed the next day.
More information on the Youth Parliament is available at www.reininsparlament.at or under the hotline 01/ 40110 – 2940. Photos and reports from all previous youth parliaments can be accessed there. (close) red