elbMUN e. V. and the Saxon State Parliament in Dresden
The Saxon State Parliament, commonly known as the Sächsischer Landtag, stands as a symbol of democratic governance and legislative authority in the Free State of Saxony. Located in the historic old town of Dresden, the parliament is the institution where policies are shaped, laws are being passed and where the elbMUN conference will be held on Sunday, the 28th of April 2024.
Like any democratic institution, the Saxon State Parliament faces various challenges. Political polarization, economic disparities and divisions in society pose significant obstacles to consensus-building and effective governance. Moreover, the rise of populist movements and extremist ideologies heavily challenges the upholding of democratic values. By creating a space for civil dialogue, promoting inclusivity, and fostering innovation, the parliament can adapt to evolving societal needs. Collaboration with civil organizations, academic institutions and international partners can enhance legislative capacity. It is an honor to have the conference take place in such a historic institution of cooperation, representation and governance.
Like many other German legislative institutions, the Saxon State parliament has taken a lot of measures to increase transparency to the maximum. The plenary sessions are open to the public and listeners are welcome. There are also sessions with experts, the specialist hearings, where the members of the parliament get educated about certain topics before voting. Experts and scientists then come to the chamber to help them in the process of forming an opinion. Additionally, the parliament offers guided tours. Every year, around 24.000 visitors come to learn about their political representatives’ work. The tours are completely free of charge and it is usually possible to request a tour with a group or to come as a single person on Fridays from 5pm to 6pm. Frequently, the parliament opens its doors for official state press conferences during which journalists are allowed to ask the ministers and parliamentarians about the issues of the day.
The first session after the German Reunion took place in the building at the Bernhard-Lindenau-Platz on the 27th of October 1990. Next to the old part of the building, which contains the parliamentarian offices, a new part with the current plenary chamber was built after designs by architect Peter Kulka in 1991. He chose glass, steel and concrete to create the grand luminous hall with a spectacular view at the Elbe riverbank. At that time the cost for the construction amounted to 111 million of D-Mark, which is equivalent to 60 million euros today. Currently, the air conditioning and heating technologies are being renewed to guarantee a good climate and working atmosphere.
elbMUN e. V. is very grateful to cooperate with the Sächsicher Landtag and is looking forward to a day full of successful committee sessions. The worked-out resolutions will be announced and discussed in the general assembly and the awards will be handed out afterwards. Thanks to this cooperation, the young participants get the opportunity to work in a setting that is normally reserved for professionals and to enjoy the democratic spirit of the place where the heart of Saxon democracy is located.
Laura Slapa
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