We need confident young people who, in their own way, are committed to maintaining and promoting democracy and safeguarding and implementing human rights. We need young people who are sure of their future, who are active in society and who are committed to a vibrant democracy, who have fresh ideas for shaping our societies and who know how to articulate and implement them. By empowering young people to do this, we strengthen the active participation of young people and young adults in democratic processes and enable young people to have a direct influence on things that affect their lives. This not only helps young people, but has an impact on society as a whole. It also promotes democratic culture and peaceful coexistence and thus the protection of human rights. According to the revised European Charter on Young People's Participation in Local and Regional Life, participation in the democratic life of every community is more than the right to vote in free elections - although this is an important element. Participation and active citizenship also mean the right to have the means, spaces and opportunities and, where necessary, the support to participate in and influence actions and activities that contribute to building a fairer society. To achieve these aims, we need to educate young people about human rights and democratic civil society, structures, processes and ways of life. Knowing these principles and defending, protecting and promoting them empowers and encourages young people to get involved in their society and to bring their interests to bear. The emergence of the corona pandemic and the associated quarantine regulations in the individual states had a special impact on children and adolescents. We also wanted to take time to reflect on this and to evaluate whether we as youth group leaders have to react specially. Child and youth participation cannot be thought of without care work for children and young people whose participation in our society we want to promote. They are mutually dependent.