© Tim Morizet
On Friday morning, the "Train of Democracy" pulled into Luxembourg City once again, bringing with it 140 children aged 8 to 12 from five different municipalities for a special educational visit to the Chamber of Deputies.
Explaining democracy to children is one thing, but for the politicians involved, it's also a chance to learn from the younger generation. Just the journey into the capital by train was an exciting adventure for many of the pupils, and by 9.30am sharp, the train had reached its symbolic destination: the Parliament.
Inside, the young visitors had a unique opportunity to sit in the very chairs normally occupied by MPs. For Chamber President Claude Wiseler, it's essential that children understand that Parliament is not just some distant institution, but also their place, their house, within a democratic system. He stressed the importance of showing that young people can speak to MPs, be taken seriously, and that politics is about having the right to express your opinion.
The children didn't hold back. Their creative energy was already on display through cardboard cut-out figures they had crafted for the occasion. According to teacher Karine Marinho, it was striking how readily the pupils engaged with new topics and immediately began to debate them. She noted that many of their ideas took shape spontaneously during discussions.
Among the messages the children brought: calls for more mutual respect, the importance of giving compliments, better recycling habits, and even a mobile app that would allow people to share surplus belongings with others in need.
One 9-year-old, Kyle, suggested converting a football pitch into a community garden so children without private gardens at home would have somewhere to play and connect. He pointed out that many children currently play in the streets, which is dangerous due to fast-moving traffic.
Another student, Callan, also 9, expressed a wish to spend more time with parents and less time in after-school care.
10-year-old Eldana proposed that the class share a healthy breakfast together twice a week, sitting down at a table as a group.
By the end of the morning, Luxembourg's MPs had gathered plenty of food for thought. As lunchtime approached, the Train of Democracy departed once again, but not without leaving a strong impression on all involved.
