Dr. Josefine Koebe: Volunteering strengthens democracy in Alsfeld!

Dr. Josefine Koebe: Volunteering strengthens democracy in Alsfeld!

On Thursday, July 10th, the SPD General Secretary Dr. Josefine Koebe comes to Alsfeld as part of her “Welcome to the Round” tour. The visit begins at 5 p.m. on the Alsfeld market square, where she will visit the after-work market. From 6 p.m. there will be an exciting discussion in the market café, organized by the Alsfeld SPD local association. The focus is on the topic “Importance of voluntary work for democracy and social cohesion,” reports oberhessen-live.de.

Dr. Koebe will offer the opportunity to talk directly to citizens and to discuss together the political framework that is necessary to support volunteer work. The clubs are indispensable building blocks for social cohesion, especially in rural regions.

The importance of volunteering in rural areas

Almost 57 percent of people in Germany live in rural areas, and volunteer work plays a central role here. A public technical discussion by the subcommittee on civic engagement on July 5, 2023 highlighted the challenges and opportunities of volunteering in rural areas. It became clear that voluntary commitment strengthens community spirit and contributes to strengthening democracy and local public services. These findings come from a report by German Bundestag.

But volunteer work faces challenges. Many older volunteers would like to pass on their tasks, but often cannot find successors. Balancing volunteer work, work and family has also proven to be increasingly problematic. If there are no active board members, the club's work suffers. In addition, bureaucratic hurdles are often a reason why fewer people get involved, according to the Bundestag.

Diversity in club work

The inclusion of all age groups, genders and educational backgrounds is crucial to keeping volunteerism alive. Rural women's associations, for example, have been actively promoting the interests of women in rural areas for decades. They are a voice for equal opportunities, are committed to education and social participation and help to improve the living and working conditions of women. This promotes the liveliness and diversity of rural regions, which is of central importance not only for women but for society as a whole Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture highlights.

The challenges that rural areas bring with them should not be underestimated. Long distances and inadequate infrastructure can be a hindrance and make commitment difficult. This makes it all the more important to maintain social meeting places and create new ones. The decline in traditional engagement among older people after the pandemic has shown how fragile the situation is. A functioning digital network is essential for civic engagement.

The discussion that Dr. Koebe will toast in Alsfeld could not only be of local importance. It is part of a larger movement that aims to revitalize volunteer work and improve the conditions for it. A strong voluntary work is ultimately a strong democracy - and it is important to promote and support it.