Studio Mätsch and Berni Hanel invited people to play in the Mätschpoint

As part of FUTUROMUNDO EDU and FUTUROMUNDO FORESIGHT, an extraordinary evening at the Literaturhaus Stuttgart invited us to look at the city from a new perspective – at children's eye level.

Under the title „Child-friendly commune – reality or just a label?“ Experts, visionaries and committed people from politics, urban development and education gathered for an analogue contrast program beyond digital fantasies of the future.

The central element of the evening was the panel discussion with State Secretary Elke Zimmer (Transport, BW) and Dominik Bär (German Children's Fund), among others, who, together with other guests, investigated the question of whether cities are really living up to their responsibility towards children.

It became clear: A child-friendly city is not an option, but a social necessity – but there is often a gap between declarations of intent and lived reality.

The evening was accompanied by a market of opportunities where innovative projects and approaches to child-friendly urban design were presented – from movement-friendly neighborhoods to participatory planning processes. Visitors could start conversations, gather ideas and network here.

The finale of the evening was a sensual experience: Fabian Seewald and the light figure DUNDU transformed the Literaturhaus into a poetic space of imagination – a striking conclusion to an evening that showed the importance of integrating the children's perspective into urban development.

Conclusion: A successful start to a discussion that must be continued – because only when cities are thought and designed to be child-friendly do they become sustainable.

Who came to MÄTSCHPOINT?

Co-decision-makers*, signposts*, designers* and creative minds from the fields of urban development, visions of the future, habitat design, pedagogy, mobility or transformation management.

DIE GASTGEBER

Gründer World Child Forum, Davos,

Gründer Mätsch, Studio für Zusammenspiel

Berni Hanel

With strong social aspirations, Mätsch uses extensive planning expertise to promote spaces that promote resilience and not only enable the joy of play, but also promote social interaction, motor development and creative processes. The aim is to create sustainable and inspiring environments that empower children in their development and contribute to a livable future in the long term.

PROGRAM, 3. JULY 2025

3. July 2025, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
APERO with all the senses

Literaturhaus Stuttgart

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
PANEL DISCUSSION
Child-friendly commune - reality or just a label?
Guests: Elke Zimmer, Dominik Bär, Miriam Zeleke, Maria Larissa Stoy and others…

Moderation: Bettina Dreiseitl

7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
MARKET OF OPPORTUNITIES
Impulses and inspiration

9:00 PM - 10:00 PM
FINAL MÄTSCH
Interaction with DUNDU

THE PODIUM

Child-friendly commune – reality or just a label? What does it mean when children can move safely and independently – also in the context of the climate crisis and digitalization? What does real participation, participation and age-appropriate mobility look like? And where do we stand as a society when it comes to implementing child-friendly urban development?

State Secretary in the Ministry of Transport of Baden-Württemberg

Elke Zimmer

Since 2021, Elke Zimmer has been State Secretary in the Ministry of Transport of Baden-Württemberg. She is a member of the state parliament and a member of the Alliance 90/The Greens party.

Head of Department Youth Engagement UNICEF GERMANY

Maria Larissa Stoy

Maria Larissa Stoy is Head of Department Youth Engagement at a global non-profit organization. As an entrepreneurial leader, she has over ten years of experience building, transforming, and leading teams in the nonprofit sector.

With a strong strategic sense and a strong practical relevance, she works at the interface of civil society, politics and business. Her expertise lies particularly in the areas of participation, co-creation and moderation of complex processes.

As a communication expert focused on generations X, Y and Z, she brings together different perspectives and develops effective formats that promote dialogue and engagement.

State Commissioner of Hesse for the Participation and Promotion of Children and Young People

Miriam Zeleke

Miriam Zeleke is the state representative for the promotion and participation of children and young people in Hesse. Previously, she was responsible for the establishment and expansion of daycare centers in the Rhine-Main area as a specialist consultant and supervisor. Together with a partner, she founded the Institute for Children's Rights with the aim of raising awareness of children's rights and strengthening their implementation. She is an educational scientist and businesswoman. In her work, she implements campaigns to publicize children's rights, accompanies the first nationwide monitoring of children's rights in a federal state, and accompanies a state program for poverty prevention. She completed her studies at Goethe University.

Managing Director, Child-Friendly Municipalities eV

Dominik Bär

Dominik Bär is Managing Director of the Association of Child-Friendly Municipalities eV Previously, he monitored the implementation of children's rights in and through Germany at the Monitoring Centre of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child of the German Institute for Human Rights. As a child policy advisor for the German Children's Fund, he was responsible for policy advice and promoted the implementation of children's rights at the local level in a children's and youth office.

Architektin für Spiel- und Bewegungsräume

Lore Ottenbreit

Lore Ottenbreit, an experienced playroom planner and mother, has long been committed to livable open spaces in her hometown of Stuttgart. She plans spaces for healthy child development. Their view of playful solutions, especially in complex urban corners, and their sense of serious inclusion and authentic participation give projects the necessary ingredient that ensures greater vitality and free, playful development in urban, but also educational and therapeutic contexts. For over 10 years she has been a passionate project manager at Mätsch – Studio for Interaction.