Young people’s active participation in democracy is essential for the survival and expansion of democratic societies in a constantly changing world. Youth, defined as people between the ages of 18 and 35, stand for both the present and the future of our political system. The democratic dialogue can be revitalized and enhanced by their ideas, vitality, and viewpoints, making it more inclusive and receptive to the various requirements of our societies.
Youth involvement in political processes, however, continues to be appallingly low in many nations, despite the potential for enormous contributions. Concerns regarding the vitality and durability of democratic regimes are raised by this subject. We offer a comprehensive plan to encourage youth engagement in democracy, with a focus on encouraging their participation in political processes, in recognition of the importance of this situation.
The Youth Demographic: Youth make up a substantial portion of the global population, with over 1.8 billion individuals aged 10-24 years old. Their sheer numbers underscore the importance of their involvement in shaping the future of nations.
Low Youth Voter Turnout: One of the primary challenges is the low voter turnout among young people. In many democracies, youth participation in elections lags significantly behind that of older age groups. Factors contributing to this disengagement include apathy, disillusionment with politics, and structural barriers to participation.
Digital Revolution: The digital age has transformed the way people engage with information and politics. While this presents opportunities for reaching youth through social media, it also poses challenges, such as misinformation and the spread of polarizing content that can deter youth from active engagement.
Global and Local Crises: Current global challenges, including the climate crisis, economic disparities, and social injustices, disproportionately affect young people. Addressing these issues requires their active involvement and input in decision-making processes.
Benefits of Youth Engagement: Youth engagement in democracy can yield numerous benefits, such as fresh perspectives, innovative solutions to pressing problems, increased civic responsibility, and the strengthening of democratic institutions. Moreover, an engaged youth population is more likely to foster long-term political stability and social cohesion.
This proposal proposes a diverse strategy to address the issue of young people’s low level of participation in democracy. It attempts to instill a sense of ownership over their democratic institutions in young people by providing them with the knowledge, abilities, and opportunities they need to actively participate in political processes. By doing this, we want to build a democracy that is more diverse and alive and that reflects the ambitions and voices of all of its people.
