Berlin, Germany – The German Students’ Association (Deutsches Studierendenwerk, DSW) is calling for a national effort to address the pressing issues affecting students and young professionals, including rising costs of living, housing and inflation.
DSW’s Chief, Matthias Anbuhl, emphasized the need for the future federal government to hold a “Youth Summit” to address the concerns of the young generation, which he believes have been largely ignored in the current election campaign. “If the concerns of the young are not taken seriously and put at the top of the political agenda after the election, the risk is great that they will turn away from politics and towards extremist positions” Anbuhl stated.
According to Anbuhl, the promise after the Corona pandemic was that the interests of young people would never again be neglected, but this is no longer the case. The Youth Summit, he said, would require the federal government, states, municipalities and associations to quickly put together a package for the young generation. This would include the stabilization of the federal-state program “Young Living” a fundamental reform of the BAföG, a discounted student ticket and a climate-friendly renovation of university buildings, including canteens and cafeterias.
Anbuhl lamented that the price increases in nearly all sectors are particularly hard on young people. “Rent, food and mobility: the costs are running away from young people, whether students or trainees.” According to the Federal Statistical Office, students have to spend around 54 percent of their income on rent, while trainees have to spend 42 percent, compared to 25 percent for the general population.