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Berlin (dpa) - Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier demanded more solidarity with the young generation in the Corona crisis and encouraged them despite the currently difficult educational conditions.
This generation had "tried the real thing," said Steinmeier on Monday in Berlin in a speech to students in Germany at the beginning of the summer semester.
After the pandemic, it will not continue with all the certainties that have been lived with for decades.
"We go into the open with each other."
He also doesn't know what society will look like then.
"But I know one thing: if a generation is prepared for this open future, it will be yours."
As a result of the pandemic, in addition to all the hardships in everyday life, this generation has experienced something that is like a key to the future: "They have learned how vulnerable what we call individuality is and how vulnerable we are as a society."
In his speech at the State Library, Steinmeier said that the dreams, hopes and desires of young people continued to be delayed.
“But I know one thing for sure: our companies, our public administrations, our schools and universities, our hospitals need you - and not just because the baby boomers are gradually leaving working life.
You are needed precisely because of the experiences you have brought with you from this crisis.
We need them!
Our country needs you! "
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The Federal President emphasized that the young people had shown enormous solidarity with the elderly and those particularly at risk during the pandemic.
“Now it is up to us, the elderly, to show solidarity with you, too!
Society must not overlook how the younger generation emerges from this crisis of the century. "
Education was also at the top of the agenda during the pandemic.
"If that is not guaranteed, then it not only makes the present particularly difficult for young people, but it is also not a good omen for the future."
Steinmeier emphasized that the pandemic had serious social and economic consequences for many students, especially for those who would find it difficult to study at all.
"All those students who have got into an emergency as a result of the pandemic must be helped faster - and less bureaucratic."
The student unions also demanded this.
It is good that the federal government has extended the bridging aid for the summer semester 2021.
The pandemic hits the young particularly hard, said Steinmeier.
«In the false expectation of leaving this pandemic behind us quickly, we as a society may have had too little focus on what this hard and deep turning point, this slowing down, means for young people who are full of lust and energy at the beginning of their lives, am At the foot of the stairs, so to speak. "
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© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210412-99-171719 / 2
Speech by Federal President Steinmeier