Stuttgart Pact of Generations

The Pact of Generations is an undertaking entered into by the politically responsible and by organizations, associations and individuals which enables them to play a joint proactive role in shaping the many changes taking place by observing twelve underlying aims, with a view to improving the future viability of our city.

1. We want to satisfy the needs of children and young people, of families and single parents more effectively through a childfriendly urban society by consistently implementing the five fields of action set out in the action plan Stuttgart - City for Children.

2. We want to show concern for the needs of older citizens, whether of German or foreign origin, and support them through education, counselling and assistance in their daily lives so as to permit them to live their lives autonomously for as long as they can in a safe environment.

3. We want to create a variety of places where people can meet - together with existing and new facilities and communal groups, such as "multi-generation houses", social and community centres, sports clubs, gardening and environmental associations, cultural societies, schools and church communities -, to make it
easier to meet new people spanning generations and to encourage mentorship.

4. We want to promote the creation of new networks of initiatives and self-help both as regards organisation and material needs, where older people can contribute their experience, their skills and know-how.

5. We want to create opportunities for personal contact through networks in our city districts but also to accommodate the needs and expectations of older people, as well as children and families in all their diversity, dichotomy and commonality by our district boards increasingly encouraging different generations to work together in their neigbourhoods.

6. We want to encourage training for lifelong learning, commencing in kindergartens, in schools, universities, libraries, in professional training as well as in cultural education, in order to promote the necessary mental agility of young and old, and permit them to learn from one another and with one another.

7. We want every youngster to have a fair chance to develop his or her talents and acquire appropriate professional qualifications, and to provide support from older citizens in their endeavours to acquire good professional prospects.

8. We want to achieve a better work/life balance through a more family-friendly working world, to make it easier, especially for young women, to combine having children with a career.

9. We want the life experiences of older people to be passed to children and young people. We also want to persuade enterprises to refrain from asking older employees to leave work prematurely so that their skills and experience can be better utilised for our economic development.

10. We want the sustainable development of our city to contribute as far as possible to preserve the natural bases of our life for coming generations and to eliminate damages to the environment.

11. We want to avoid conflicts between the generations, the threat of a confrontation between young and old for material resources, public resources and services, by supporting a balanced and fair expenditure policy and through the consistent reduction of debts in the city budget.

12. We want to make it clear with many good examples that every individual - whether young or old - stands to benefit personally and to enrich his or her own life if he is prepared to become involved in the service of ther people - whether old or young.