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Creating policies that respond to the needs and desires of young people: active participation of young people enables them to address and respond to policies formulated and adopted in various sectors (such as social care, employment, education, etc.) in a way that is appropriate to their expressed needs.
Youth Representation: In order for representative democracy to function effectively, it is necessary to represent and consider the needs and desires of all social groups, including young people. Active citizenship teaches young people that their voices are important and that they can make broader social change.
Activity instead of apathy: actively engaging young citizens encourages them to take on proactive social roles which are extremely important for the future of democratic societies. The harmfulness of apathy and disinterest in active socio-political engagement leads to the breakdown of democratic communities and hinders the necessary democratic control over decision-makers.
Innovative addressing of social issues and creative solution-building: young people are ready to question many social norms and roles that can lead to addressing new, overlooked socio-political issues. In addition, they can offer unencumbered and fresh solutions for these issues.
Impact on the future: promoting active (political) participation among young people has an influence on their active political role in adulthood. Therefore, it is important to educate young people as critical citizens who contribute to building democratic communities throughout their lives and engage in active participation in democratic opportunities and possibilities for all.
Encouraging interdisciplinarity and promoting dialogue: early involvement of young people in political and social participation affects their ability to cultivate an interdisciplinary approach to address global challenges. At the same time, it exposes them to different perspectives, which require learning dialogue and mutual respect for others and those who think differently.
Global cooperation: many youths today take advantage of the opportunity for intensive, easy, and immediate global communication, and addressing global inequalities, which require a questioning of shared challenges and solutions. In this regard, young people are important messengers of digital citizenship and the benefits it brings.
COLLABORATION
Participation in elections – exercising the active and passive right to vote. Reflected voting for candidates who will pursue policies and processes that are in line with our principles and aspirations!
Advocacy – active use of the young voice! Raising awareness and advocating for the necessary social changes needed to build democratic, inclusive and sustainable communities (organising campaigns, protests and petitions)
Volunteering – volunteering activities that contribute to the development and well-being of local communities and respond to immediate needs and issues in their neighbourhoods (organising events, caring for vulnerable groups).
Helping to build and sustain inclusive democratic communities – caring for marginalised and subordinated groups in society, ensuring equal opportunities for participation and participation of all members of a community.
Education – learning and gathering information about political processes, institutions and opportunities for participation and active co-determination of the future.
Project work – designing and implementing projects to empower young people to play a more active role in politics and society.
Mentoring programmes – participation in different mentoring processes (by older people and by younger people) to take a more active social and political role.
Engaging in dialogue – networking, exchanging opinions, views and experiences, weaving links to facilitate and pave the way to different forms of political organising , including through EWA’s Let’s Connect platform.
The EWA project is co-financed by the European Union from the funds of the Program for Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.
