Politics, a school of life – Liechtenstein
TRIESEN – In the series on the 2023 municipal elections, “Diversity in Politics” talks to municipal councilors about their work and experience in the municipal council.
Much of what we see and use every day in the community we take for granted. It’s just there and it works. Using the example of the newly designed playground at the primary school in Triesen, principal Daniela Erne and local councilors Eva Johann-Heidegger, Nicole Felix and Nicole Schurte show what is behind it all, even with seemingly simple projects.
The municipality of Triesen has a total of 17 playgrounds. They are regularly checked for safety and any deficiencies that are identified are rectified. The playground at the primary school was completely renovated. The safety regulations are constantly becoming stricter, which makes the construction and maintenance of playgrounds more complex and expensive.
The fear of danger also played a role in the planting of the school playground. Fruit trees as shade providers? This proposal by the Environment Commission was rejected. Too dangerous because of the wasps! Not to mention the mess. A development that is going in the wrong direction, says Nicole Schurte. In her opinion, it would be important for children to spend more time in the great outdoors and see how everything grows and flourishes.
The participation of the students in the redesign of the playground was important. Parents and teachers were also interviewed during the participatory process. “Match-decisive” were the children, according to head Daniela Erne. The inclusion of the younger generation should not remain a one-off action. In the process of gaining the Unicef label as a child-friendly community, the children are at the forefront and contribute their ideas and visions.
The four women judged their time on the municipal council as a “school of life”. There are a lot of topics that you have never come into contact with before. That makes it very interesting and educational. For Nicole Felix, contact with new people and the many conversations are particularly enriching. The cooperation within the municipal council is also character-building. You learn to deal with different opinions and characters.
Daniela Erne and Eva Johann-Heidegger each completed a legislature as the only woman on the municipal council. A time they both die as difficult to judge. “You don’t stand a chance on your own,” Eva Johann-Heidegger clarifies. You would therefore like to encourage women in particular to jump over their own shadow, to be courageous and to dare to run for office. “It’s worth it,” everyone thinks!
The full interview and more photos and videos can be found at www.diversity.li.