Modernising child and youth welfare through participation and dialogue

About:

The Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ) launched a programme to modernise child and youth welfare and encourage participation and discussion on this topic.

The programme involved scientists, experts, parents, children and adolescents, young adults, their confidants, foster parents and professionals. They had direct contact with the Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs. The stakeholders’ views were collected and taken into account in a highly structured, systematic process called ‘Mitreden-Mitgestalten: The future of child and youth welfare’. This involved a kick-off conference followed by a series of interviews and focused working groups, culminating in a final conference.

Outcomes:

The resulting systemic and structural needs for change were taken up within the framework of reforms, and the process ended in new legislation passed in the Bundestag, entitled the Child and Youth Strengthening Act.

Key element(s) of the VIA Framework:

This is a clear example of INFLUENCE. Not only did the Mitreden-Mitgestalten process enable stakeholders to express their voices and be heard, but the voices were acted upon and influenced new legislation.

Learn more (in German)