“The generational gap in power, influence and trust is one of the greatest challenges of our time,” said UN Youth Envoy Jayathma Wickramanayake.
The To be seen, heard The campaign, in partnership with The Body Shop International, seeks to create lasting structural changes to promote youth participation in decision-making.
“With the climate crisis, global conflict and generational inequality rampant, more than ever need the inputs, perspectives and representation of young people“, the Press Release read.
Search campaign raise the voices of millions of young people across 75 countries across six continents.
Leaders ‘shuffling things up’ for the planet
To understand the stereotypes and structural barriers that prevent young people from participating in public life, Be Seen Be Listen: Understanding youth political participation The report, also released on Wednesday, not only presents an overview but also makes recommendations to address these challenges.
The report supports the fact that there is a chronic lack of trust in political systems but clearly a desire for more youth representation from all age groups.
It details that 82% of people around the world think that the political system needs drastic reform to suit the future, and almost 70 percent feel that young people should have more of a say.
Three-quarters of those under 30 feel that politicians and business leaders have ‘messed things up’ for people and planet and ready for change.
Furthermore, two-thirds of people disagree with the age balance in politics and eight out of ten support that the ideal first-time voting age should be between 16 and 18 – although most All countries are limited to 18 or more.
Recent data show that although almost half of the world’s population is under the age of 30they make up only 2.62% of the global parliament, and the average age of a world leader is 62.
Youth participation is key
Ms. Wickramanayake stressed the importance of including youth in decision-making to combat distrust of political institutions and alienation from elected leaders.
© UNICEF / Sebastian x Gil
With the climate crisis, global conflict and generational inequality rampant, youth inputs, perspectives and representation are needed more than ever. Below is a photo of environmental activists and founders of Youth for Climate Argentina.
“As young people have made it clear through activism on the streets, in civil society and on social media, they care deeply about transformative change to create more equal, just and sustainable societies.
Campaign is one opportunity to change and work towards policies that “reflect youth priorities, reflect their concerns and speak their language”.
Optimism for a better future
According to the survey – covering 26 countries with a total of 27,043 respondents, more than half of whom are under the age of 30 – 67% believe in a better future, with 15- to 17-year-olds being the most optimistic .
And more than 2/3 agree that the political system would be better if there were more opportunities for young people have a voice in policy development and change.
This campaign sees at its core that young people play an important role in decisions that affect us all.
“As global conflicts escalate, the unfolding climate crisis and worsening socioeconomic problems continue to affect our world, we increasingly need new perspectives. new to guide transformative political decision-making beyond the status quo,” the press release added.
Operation Be Seen Be Heard
Be Seen Be Heard Promote youth participation and raise youth voice in public life.
Change conversion
According to the Youth Envoy, youth participation in community decision-making can be improved in the long term by reducing the voting age; strengthen formal youth representation through youth councils, parliaments or committees; remove barriers to youth participation in community decision-making; simplify first-time voter registration; and improve leadership skills of young people.
The partnership between the Youth Envoy office and The Body Shop means that young people and others will have multiple routes to participate in the campaign, will run to mid 2025 in 2,600 stores.
Local campaign activities will also include partnerships with youth-led or youth-focused NGOs (NGOs), petition opportunities, and other actions.
