Discussion paper presented at NRW conference on loneliness

The Bertelsmann Stiftung and the Liz Mohn Foundation joined forces to explore how other countries are combating loneliness among young people. Recent studies have shown that people between the ages of 16 and 30 are one of the social groups that suffer most from loneliness worldwide.

June 6, 2024

In the publication Jung und einsam – Internationale Perspektiven für ein neues politisches Handlungsfeld (Young and Lonely – International Perspectives for a New Policy Field), the foundations provide 10 recommendations for how Germany’s policy makers can take action. The discussion paper was presented yesterday at North Rhine–Westphalia’s State Chancellery during the conference on loneliness initiated by Minister President Hendrik Wüst. Brigitte Mohn, member of the Bertelsmann Stiftung Executive Board, gave welcoming remarks.

“Loneliness is the new social issue of our time,” said Minister President Wüst at the conference. “It not only has a negative impact on the lives of those affected by it, it also weakens social cohesion.”

The discussion paper examines approaches from Finland, the UK, Japan, Canada, the Netherlands and South Korea, presenting 10 recommendations for policy responses that can be used to combat loneliness among young people in Germany as well. Chronic loneliness can have severe consequences, for example by increasing the risk of mental and physical illness. In addition, people who are lonely tend to hold extreme political views and are more likely to believe in conspiracy theories.

“Today’s conference demonstrates the political will exists to recognize that loneliness is a social problem and to counteract it through supportive measures,” said Brigitte Mohn. “This applies in particular to loneliness among young people. We still have a lot to learn here about how we can actively involve young people in society so that they are seen and valued.”

Since the pandemic, young adults have been the social group in Germany most affected by loneliness, with more than half of the country’s 16- to 20-year-olds feeling at least moderately lonely and one in five feeling very lonely.

In addition to Minister President Wüst and Brigitte Mohn, many well-known representatives from research, practice, state politics and trade associations attended the conference, as did volunteers and people whose lives have been affected by loneliness. Participants included comedian Atze Schröder, loneliness researcher Maike Luhmann, psychotherapist and podcaster Franca Cerutti, and moderator Tom Lehel, who is also the initiator of the campaign “Wir wollen mobbingfrei” (We Don’t Want Bullying). A Marketplace of Possibilities was also organized, allowing many initiatives combatting loneliness to present their activities and offer information and opportunities for networking. Both the Bertelsmann Stiftung and the Liz Mohn Foundation took part in the marketplace.

The complete publication can be downloaded below.

Ansprechpartner:innen

Dr. Theresa Hornischer
Matthias Meis