Menu Close
EN
EN DE

Young Constitutional Talks

#LetsTalkLaw #LetsTalkAboutRecht

Human dignity, equality and freedom: The Basic Law was adopted 75 years ago and has governed constitutional and democratic coexistence in Germany ever since. But where are the promises of the constitution fulfilled today in the everyday lives of young people? And how do laws and fundamental rights protect future generations? Moreover, how can our constitution do justice not only to situations in the present, but also to the challenges of the future?

On Saturday, August 10, 2024, a group of young people discussed these topical issues with representatives from the judiciary, culture and media at an open air stage in Karlsruhe's city center. The experts invited on stage answered theirs questions, but also listened to what the young participants think about the future, democracy, the rule of law and the Basic Law. Embedded in a full day event programme that was organised by dm-drogerie markt on the Karlsruhe market square, the Young Constitutional Talks focused on the concerns and suggestions of the younger generations.

Captured Moments: The Young Constitutional Talks on the Karlsruhe market square

Drei Männer diskutieren auf großer Bühne auf dem Karlsruher Marktplatz über Aspekte des Grundgesetzes.
A bird's-eye view of a very bustling market square in Karlsruhe, where the Youth Constitutional Talks are taking place. In the center is the famous pyramid, surrounded by many white tents, with the stage in the background.
View of the stage at the Young Constitutional Debates. Young people discuss aspects of the Basic Law.
Stiftung Forum Recht im öffentlichen Raum: Events on law and the rule of law on a large stage in Karlsruhe.
View of the stage at the Young Constitutional Debates. Young people discuss aspects of the Basic Law.
View of the stage at the Young Constitutional Debates. Young people discuss aspects of the Basic Law.
Blick auf die Bühne bei den Jungen Verfassugsgesprächen. Junge Menschen diskutieren hier über Aspekte des Grundgesetzes. Im Vordergrund drei Zuschauer:innen.
Informationsstand der Stiftung Forum Recht auf dem sonnigen Karlsruher Marktplatz während der Jungen Verfassungsgespräche.

Re-Listen: The Young Constitutional Talks on Youtube

You are currently seeing a placeholder content of YouTube. To access the actual content, click on the button below. Please note that data will be passed on to third-party providers.

More information
Unlock content Accept required service and unblock content

You are currently seeing a placeholder content of YouTube. To access the actual content, click on the button below. Please note that data will be passed on to third-party providers.

More information
Unlock content Accept required service and unblock content

You are currently seeing a placeholder content of YouTube. To access the actual content, click on the button below. Please note that data will be passed on to third-party providers.

More information
Unlock content Accept required service and unblock content

You are currently seeing a placeholder content of YouTube. To access the actual content, click on the button below. Please note that data will be passed on to third-party providers.

More information
Unlock content Accept required service and unblock content

Please note that the video is embedded via YouTube. By playing the video, you agree to the data processing by YouTube/Google. More about this in the Privacy Policy.

You are currently seeing a placeholder content of YouTube. To access the actual content, click on the button below. Please note that data will be passed on to third-party providers.

More information
Unlock content Accept required service and unblock content

You are currently seeing a placeholder content of YouTube. To access the actual content, click on the button below. Please note that data will be passed on to third-party providers.

More information
Unlock content Accept required service and unblock content

You are currently seeing a placeholder content of YouTube. To access the actual content, click on the button below. Please note that data will be passed on to third-party providers.

More information
Unlock content Accept required service and unblock content

You are currently seeing a placeholder content of YouTube. To access the actual content, click on the button below. Please note that data will be passed on to third-party providers.

More information
Unlock content Accept required service and unblock content
Querformat-Flyer mit Informationen zu den Jungen Verfassungsgesprächen im August 2024.
Design: Stiftung Forum Recht/KME

More about the Young Constitutional Talks

The open-air discussion on Karlsruhe's market square was part of an extensive project to mark the 75th anniversary of the German Basic Law. Get a deeper insight into our activities and the idea behind the Young Constitutional Debates. 

"Basic rights for the future" - Interviews with Kathrin Schön and Thomas Stelzl

Kathrin Schön, Head of Programme and Events, and Thomas Stelzl, Head of Outreach and Education at Stiftung Forum Recht, provide insights into the concept of the Young Constitutional Talks in two interviews with ZEIT journalists.

We have deliberately opted for a creative, artistic approach to the topic that also involves few hurdles. This allows the participants to give free rein to their thoughts.

Thomas Stelzl
Read the interview
Ein Mitarbeiter der Stiftung im Gespräch mit einer Teilnehmerin am Workshop. Er hält eine Mini-Ausgabe des Grundgesetzes in der Hand, im Hintergrund weitere Teilnerhmer:innen.
Thomas Stelzl in dialog with Nasrin Farkhari (stja) at the preparatory workshop for the Young Constitutional Talks. Photo: Mike Abmaier
Eine junge Frau mit langen blonden Haaren und Brille steht auf der Bühne in der Stiftung Forum Recht und spricht ins Mikrofon.
Kathrin Schön on stage at the Stiftung Forum Recht in Leipzig. Photo: Ina Lebedjew

A vibrant constitutional culture thrives on a culture of discussion in which we talk fairly and respectfully, but no less ambitiously, about what should hold us together as a society in the coming decades, in accordance with the rules we have set ourselves.

Kathrin Schön
Read the interview

Preparatory workshop at Stiftung Forum Recht (Karlsruhe)

On July 17, 2024, the cooperation partners invited the participating groups to a workshop at the Stiftung Forum Recht premises. Together with team members of the Foundation and the Stadtjugendausschuss e.V. Karlsruhe, the young participants prepared for the interviews on August 10. During a methodical circle training, they also discussed the significance of the Basic Law for their lives.

Eine Hand hält eine Mini-Ausgabe des deutschen Grundgesetzes. Auf dem dahinterliegenden Tisch sind unscharf weiter Ausgaben des Grundgesetzes zu erkennen, außerdem Notizblöcke mit dem Stiftungslogo.
Teilnehemer:innen eines Workshops in der Stiftung Forum Recht im Gesrpräch.
Junge Teilnehmer:innen mit Kopftuch beim Bildungsworkshop in den Räumen der Stiftung Forum Recht
Generations in exchange: Preparatory workshop for the Young Constitutional Discussions at the Stiftung Forum Recht.
Ein junger Teilnehmer an einem Bildungsworkshop lächelt und blickt nach links. Er trägt ein rotes T-Shirt und blickt eine junge Frau an.
Ein Junger Mann liest das Grundgesetz in englischer Fassung. Aufnahme aus der Perspektive des Schulterblicks.
Eine Gruppe Workshopteilnehmer:innen an einem Stehtisch im Gespräch mit einer Mitarbeiterin der Stiftung Forum Recht.
A staff member at the foundation is working on various worksheets with three workshop participants in the foundation's offices.

The Young Constitutional Talks are a cooperation between Stiftung Forum Recht, the Stadtjugendausschuss e.V. Karlsruhe and the KME, and were realised with the support of dm-drogerie markt, ZEIT Verlagsgruppe and SWR. Funded by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth as part of the federal "Demoktratie leben!" programme.

© Startbild: ARTIS Ulli Deck

Skip to content