Why Youth Voices Belong at the Policy Table

Did you know? Over half of the world’s population is under 30. Yet, the youth hold less than 3% of parliamentary seats globally. 

According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, young people are almost entirely absent from the rooms where their futures are decided. From climate change to job insecurity, global crises hit young people hardest. Still, their perspectives are routinely left out of policy decisions. 

As we mark International Youth Day on 12 August, one thing is clear: youth participation is not a favour or a photo opportunity. It is a democratic necessity. 

The Gap Between Tokenism and Real Power 

Too often, institutions invite young people to events just to look good. They take a quick photo, post it online, and call it inclusion. 

This is called tokenism. It gives the illusion of listening without sharing any real power. 

True youth engagement is not about asking young people to speak for the cameras. It means giving them a permanent seat at the negotiating table when laws are drafted and passed. 

Right now, young people face major obstacles to getting involved: 

• Financial barriers: Civic action takes time and money. Young people struggling with unpaid internships or low wages simply cannot afford to volunteer in politics. 

• Legal and structural hurdles: In many countries, you must be 25 or even 30 to run for public office. On top of that, schools rarely teach how democratic systems work in practice. 

• Inequality: These barriers hit marginalized groups hardest. Young women, working-class youth, and those living in rural areas face the highest walls. 

Redefining Youth Activism 

People often claim that young people are disengaged from politics. That is a myth. 

Young people are deeply active—just not in traditional ways. They lead climate strikes, organize digital campaigns, and build grassroots movements. The drive is there, but formal institutions refuse to open their doors. In fact, data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union shows that over 37% of national parliaments do not have a single member under 30. 

When governments consist only of older generations, policies become short-sighted. Decision-makers focus on the next election instead of tackling long-term crises like housing costs, ecological collapse, and economic stability. 

How We Move from Words to Action 

Simply saying “we need to listen to young people” is no longer enough. We need concrete, structural changes. 

Here is what institutions can do today: 

• Fund youth organisations directly: Make civic engagement accessible to everyone, not just privileged students. 

• Create mandatory youth advisory boards: Give young people formal power to review local and European draft laws before politicians vote on them. 

• Teach practical civic education: Replace dry textbooks with hands-on learning—like visiting parliaments, debating real issues, and running community projects. 

At Eduxo, we believe that democracy only works when everyone has a voice. Equality means giving young people from all backgrounds the tools, skills, and confidence to stand up for their human rights. 

By supporting civic education and creating space for honest debate, Eduxo works to ensure young people do not just watch decisions happen. They must actively shape them. 

International Youth Day should not be a silent celebration. It must be a call to action: open the doors, hand over the microphone, and give young people a real seat at the table.