Membership in the AfD is incompatible with membership in the Association of Christian Scouts (VCP). The association’s 55th Federal Assembly, which is meeting until Sunday, passed a corresponding paper entitled “VCP – Incompatible with Hate and Incitement” on Saturday at Rieneck Castle in Lower Franconia, as the VCP announced on Saturday in response to a request from the Evangelical Press Service (epd). The Protestant Scouts also demanded more money from state and church authorities for youth work.
The incompatibility with the AfD was decided by a large majority, said the Secretary General of the VCP, Till Strang. According to the information, it also applies to their factions, parliaments, the youth organization “Young Alternative for Germany”, the university organization Campus Alternative and the Desiderius Erasmus Foundation. The educational goals of the VCP and its Christian values are “diametrically opposed” to those of the AfD.
The unanimously adopted position paper entitled “Youth work – now more than ever” states that in view of the “growing threat from right-wing extremism and anti-democratic ideologies”, increased state support for youth work is essential. The VCP calls on politicians and the churches to provide more money for youth work and to promote early prevention work.
It is also necessary to intensify cooperation between government agencies, church and civil society organizations and schools, the paper says. Only by working together can we succeed in protecting young people from extremist ideologies and maintaining a democratic society in the long term.
Last year, the Federal Assembly decided to have the issue of sexual violence in its association scientifically examined. This process is ongoing and is expected to be completed in two years, said Secretary General Strang.
Around 20,000 young people are active in the VCP, which is based in Kassel, and around 5,000 of them are volunteers. The aim of the Scout movement is to educate people to be tolerant and democratic, to protect nature and the environment, to be oriented towards the Gospel, to be international and to enjoy adventure.