During his visit to the Janusz Korczak Comprehensive School, where workshops were already held by colleagues last year, Thieß Petersen spoke with around 60 interested students from the 11th, 12th, and 13th grades about globalization and the economic origins of populism. Between macroeconomic theories and the basics of economics, the students actively engaged in the discussion and asked questions with keen interest. The teenagers shared their personal concerns about the changing job market, the stagnating German economy, and the success of the AfD. Solutions were also discussed: to strengthen the German economy in the growing international competition, ideas such as reducing bureaucratic hurdles for foreign or young companies, government subsidies, and lowering industrial electricity prices were suggested. To counter the insecurity of many people due to globalization and the resulting electoral successes of populist parties, proposals included a tax system reform and the suspension of the debt brake in favor of necessary investments in education and infrastructure.
During Thieß Petersen’s visit to the Bertelsmann Vocational College, a lively discussion developed in a class of prospective industrial clerks about the technologization driven by globalization and its impact on the job market. Hauke Hartmann, during his visit to the vocational college, presented the Bertelsmann Transformation Index to the dual students, showing the developments of governments and states worldwide. This allowed the students to learn more about the current negative trend in democratic systems, the politics of autocracies, and common global challenges.
The goal of the expert visits to the schools is to inform about current political and social issues and conflicts and to engage in conversations with the students to exchange opinions, challenges, and solutions. In this format, topics can be discussed and analyzed with students in a depth that is often not possible in everyday school operations. The expertise of the speakers is equally appreciated by the teenagers and teachers. Particularly well-received by the young people is the opportunity to express their views and ask questions. The school visits are part of the “Zeitenwende on tour” project, which the Liz Mohn Foundation will organize in Gütersloh for the third time next year. This conference series, originally initiated by the Munich Security Conference, has been touring throughout Germany since 2022. The Munich Security Conference speaks with citizens across the country about the changes in German security policy. The unique aspect in Gütersloh is the age of the audience: here, the town hall event of “Zeitenwende on tour” is explicitly aimed at students to give young people a voice in this format as well. In 2025, the event will take place on June 23 in the conference zone of the Bertelsmann Foundation. Students from various schools in Gütersloh will also participate to share their perspectives on the major issues of world politics.
