The city of Salzgitter is thus continuing to shape its consistent, targeted and sustainable child, family and education policy. 15 working groups have been formed to develop a package of ideas and proposals on which the city council is to make a fundamental decision in December 2011.

As Klingebiel made clear at the opening, he is hoping for "self-determined answers" to demographic developments and in Salzgitter's educational landscape. With this process, the city could write local political history. He expected a critical and creative discussion. He thanked all stakeholders for the trust they have already shown and for their involvement in the project.

Back in September last year, all relevant socio-political circles were invited to express their willingness to participate in "Guidelines - City with a Future" in a broad democratic dialog. The response was impressive. Representatives from associations, clubs, parties, institutions, churches and the city administration signaled their interest in helping to shape Salzgitter's future effectively and efficiently.

In the working groups, criteria are now to be developed for all subject areas and backed up with measurable parameters. The impact on the demographic development of the city, a consistent children and family policy and the expansion of a progressive educational landscape must be decisive for all projects to be discussed. And these criteria must stand up to objective scrutiny against the background of the budgetary situation.

The following working groups were formed: Child and family-friendly learning city, care and education, education, schools, extracurricular learning, culture, integration, housing and infrastructure, sport and leisure, health, old and active, safety, economy, facilities and initiatives as well as council resolutions.

The process is being moderated by the planning and engineering company Grontmij from Hanover, which already managed the integrated rural development concept (ILEK) in Salzgitter. On behalf of the company, Simone Ritter emphasized that the "Guidelines - City with a Future" project is geared towards the long term and sustainable impact. According to the working method and timetable she presented, there will be three meetings of the groups before Easter, in May and after the summer vacations, before final editing takes place and the draft is presented to the newly elected council.