Thank you Germany: Part 019: The many citizens' initiatives also make up the country

Germany is not just about football and clubs, cars and beer. The country is also characterised by citizens' initiatives. Germans have a special penchant for civic engagement. They have acquired this historically. The 1960s saw a cultural awakening with protest movements of all kinds. The student protests were followed by the women's movement, which campaigned for the rights of female citizens. This was followed by the peace movement and initiatives against nuclear power. Finally, an environmental movement emerged, from which a separate party was founded: the Greens. Many people also campaigned for the rights of lesbians, gays and intersexuals with their own movement.

Again and again, people took to the streets and articulated important demands. A new culture of debate emerged as not only politicians spoke out, but also ordinary citizens. Politicians could not easily ignore the demands of large demonstrations. Germans understand that public speaking can also exert influence. This is why they continue to consciously campaign for their concerns themselves to this day. People are not only active at the highest level. Citizens' initiatives are also forming time and again in small towns. The founding and support of citizens' initiatives or petitions seems to be a popular hobby, right after clubbing. That's a good thing.

On the one hand, it revitalises the political debate and encourages people to speak out themselves. On the other hand, such activities have also helped to get important issues off the ground. Civil society engagement has sparked many disputes in society. At the end of every debate, however, there has always been a balanced judgement. Engagement also makes people realise that politics can also be changed. Engagement is therefore one of the most important foundations for a vibrant democracy. If individual disputes are not decided in favour of one's own opinion, people can live with that. If, on the other hand, decisions are simply made over their heads, this jeopardises democracy. The founding of many citizens' initiatives has contributed to the consolidation of democracy for precisely this reason.

The demonstrations offered an important arena in which the political debate about the contradictions in society can be conducted. Civic engagement also offers young people in particular a good opportunity to bring their own concerns into the social debate. Young people have always been involved in initiating important debates in every new departure in society. As a rule, however, the major initiatives build bridges between generations. They make it clear that a particular problem affects everyone and needs to be addressed. You simply have to appreciate this country for its many citizens' initiatives and petitions.

They are part of Germany's lively culture of debate. And this culture of debate is also what characterises the country. Where people have argued openly, they find each other again afterwards. This is not only evident on a small scale, but also in society as a whole. Civil society in Germany offers platforms for political debate as well as for coming together.