Young people are offline from national and European public policies.
Although in recent years we have witnessed an increase in the involvement of young Portuguese in the political process and in civil society initiatives, as confirmed by the study “The Political Participation of Young People in Portugal”, promoted by the Gulbenkian Forum of the Future in collaboration with the Centre for Studies and Opinion Polls of the Portuguese Catholic University, which affirms that “the often expressed idea that there is a general decline in the political participation of young people in Portugal is not supported by the available data”, we see that the reality of participation is neither adequate nor sufficient to have a positive and significant impact on the creation of policies that affect the present and future of these young people and the society in which they will live.
Many young Europeans are already involved and aware of political and civic issues, mobilised either through conventional mechanisms such as voting, party meetings and participation in party activities, or through “unconventional” mechanisms such as youth volunteering, debates, and demonstrations. Despite this involvement, this age group remains aloof from national and European politics.
The level of mobilisation and participation varies among young people depending on different factors, such as access to information, level of education, socio-economic status, or geographical location.
According to the European Parliament Youth Survey data report, carried out by Ipsos European Public Affairs at the request of the European Parliament’s Directorate-General for Communication, only 63% of the Portuguese young people surveyed voted in the last local, national, or European elections. Moreover, only 25% participated as a volunteer in a charity/campaign organisation. As for contacting politicians on issues of concern to them, only 8% did so.
This is similar in Spain and Italy. In Spain, only 56% of young people voted in the last local, national, or European elections, 23% volunteered in a charity/campaign and 10% contacted politicians about current issues. In Italy, 50% voted in the last local, national, or European elections, 23% participated in a volunteering action for a charity/campaign, and 9% had contact with politicians.
Young people’s voice as part of the solution
Young people’s participation in national and European politics is essential to ensure that their concerns, needs, and perspectives are adequately represented. A democratic society seeks to represent all its citizens, so it is essential that young people have an active voice in debates that directly affect them and that their views are considered in government decision-making, especially as they represent a significant proportion of the population.
In the conclusions adopted by the Council (Education, Youth, Culture and Sport) and the representatives of the governments of the member states on the social dimension of a fair and caring Europe for young people, EU ministers stressed the need to take into account the social dimension of a Europe adapted to the interests and expectations of young people and highlighted their role as key actors in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
Jakob Forssmed, Swedish Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health stressed that “without young people, there can be no promising future. We must ensure that the next generation plays a significant role in policymaking on sustainability issues at all levels”.
Being aware that there is a part of the youth that is passive and disinterested in national and European politics, which is reflected in the level of abstention of the youth vote and other variants, we are aware that this phenomenon is partly due to the lack of identification with the current mobilisation and communication strategies of government bodies and political parties.
There is also a feeling among young people that there is an inability to give this generation prominent positions in internal structures, which is seen as a sign of an unwillingness to take young people’s views into account, as the summary report of the study “Political Participation of Young People in Portugal”, promoted by the Gulbenkian Forum for the Future, concludes. When they do not agree with conventional policies, young people create alternatives to express themselves and become politically and civically involved.
Therefore, we see the need to adopt new approaches that encourage political participation among young people, in order to prepare them in the present to take on leadership roles in the future. It is crucial to ensure that they are active and educated on political and environmental issues and are able to make a difference in their daily lives, both individually and collectively, and that they are real agents of change and innovation.
Harnessing the potential of young people, involving them in policymaking, involving them in all areas of intervention, developing initiatives and policies with, for and by young people, is essential for their active and meaningful participation.
It is crucial to create effective mechanisms to ensure that young people’s views are taken seriously and that their contributions are not just symbolic.
Opening channels of participation for young people
Digital platforms play a crucial role in the active participation of young people. The use of online spaces such as social networks, forums and other interactive platforms allows for the creation of direct channels of communication between young people and policy and decision makers. These tools allow the younger generations not only to express their views, but also to engage in constructive debate. In addition, the strategic use of digital platforms can transform political processes into more accessible experiences for young people, who are closely linked to the digital world, and can be used to disseminate information, educate young people about political processes, and encourage their participation in online debates.
Creating open channels of dialogue, such as public forums, roundtables and debates, allows young people to voice their concerns and propose solutions, ensuring that their voices are taken into account in policymaking. As well as promoting transparency, they build trust between young people and national and European decision-makers.
The direct involvement of this generation in decision-making processes, by integrating them into organisational structures, councils, and assemblies, allows young people to influence decisions from the outset and to contribute their vision to shaping the future. This kind of active participation contributes to the development of young leaders and promotes a culture of inclusion in governance structures.
Ultimately, promoting meaningful youth participation at all levels of society is essential to building a future that is inclusive, environmentally responsible and in line with the aspirations of the younger generation.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
- World Youth Report (2020)
- Summary report “A Participação Cívica dos jovens em Portugal” Fundação Gulbenkian
- European Parliament Youth Survey
- Conclusions adopted by the Council (Education, Youth, Culture and Sport) and the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting on the social dimension of a sustainable Europe for youth, at their meeting on 15 and 16 May 2006.
- The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Documents available at: https://essenciacompleta-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/teresajuncalpires_essenciacompleta_pt/EsJLYzpmo2lFn34hf2GJhSoBG_5PUyXubuMkRDDTyeNRZg?e=uRER3x
