On Monday 29 January 179 teenagers from all across Denmark came to the Danish Parliament to participate in the 10th version of the Youth Parliament (UP18). They experienced how it feels to be a politician and how it is like to debate political issues. The students were very enthusiastic and demonstrated the ability to engage in political discussions.
The Youth Parliament (UP18) is a unique opportunity for the students to experience the work of the Danish Parliament and to feel how it is to be a politician for a day.
“The session of the Youth Parliament is a very special day, where schoolchildren from all over Denmark enter the engine room of democracy. I have great respect for the work the students have put into their proposals, and I look forward to meeting the 179 new, young ‘members of Parliament’,” says Ms. Pia Kjærsgaard, Speaker of the Danish Parliament.
She sees the Youth Parliament as a great opportunity to inspire and engage young people in politics.
Pupils from all over Denmark entered the Parliament
The participants in UP18 are students from 8th and 9th grade. They come from all over Denmark and this year, 3 students from the Faroe Islands also participated. Since August 2017, students have sent ideas with proposals on how they will solve challenges in the Danish society. The Danish Parliament received 750 proposals containing improvements and regulations. 60 proposals were selected by the Parliament’s administration and the students behind the proposals have spent the last weeks discussing in closed groups on Facebook which of these proposals to bring to the Parliament.
The proposals covered a variety of topics, for instance free psychological help to criminals, fewer students in each school class, and lower taxes on electric cars. The students have been excited about experiencing the Danish Parliament from the inside, but have also been excited about meeting the other students.
“One of the things, we really look forward to when going to the Parliament is to meet all the other young people, who are interested in politics,” said one of the students before going to the Parliament.
High-level democratic debate
The students showed great engagement when they entered the Parliament. It was clear that they were ready to get as much as possible out of the day.
After discussing the political proposals in the relevant commissions, the students entered the Plenary Hall. In the Plenary Hall, they brought 12 proposals to discuss even further. They then had one hour to ask questions to relevant ministers from the Danish government. Minister of Taxation Karsten Lauritzen, minister of Transport, Building and Housing Ole Birk Olesen, Youth and Social minister Mai Mercado, minister of Energy, Utilities and Climate Lars Chr. Lilleholt, minister of Defense Claus Hjort Frederiksen and minister of Culture Mette Bock were ready to answer the many questions prepared by the students.
The students were not shy and asked relevant and challenging questions to the 6 ministers.
Voting and delivering the suggestions to the government
The lively debate with the ministers prepared the students for the up-coming voting process. Each student presented his or her suggestion to the rest of the participants. Each suggestion was analysed from various angles. After each debate, the students voted on whether the suggestion should be approved or rejected.
The Youth Parliament ended with a reception where the 5 approved proposals were delivered to Minister of Taxation Karsten Lauritzen.
Originally published at https://www.thedanishparliament.dk/en/news/2018/01/up18
