EESC Section debate on a step forward in meaningful youth participation

02/10/2024

Brussels, Belgium

Scope and objectives

The European Economic and Social Committee is organising a thematic debate during the meeting of its Section for Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment (NAT) on 2 October 2024 (14:30 – 16:00 CEST), focusing on the essential role of young people in policy and decision-making processes.

Youth participation is at the heart of democratic societies and sustainable democracies. Although various institutions and international organisations recognise this, further research and investment are required to improve participation standards and institutionalise youth participation at all levels of governance—local, national, European, and international.

The debate aims to:

• Share the results of the EESC’s study, Structured and Meaningful Youth Participation in Policy and Decision-Making Processes.
• Promote the exchange of good practices and mutual learning between youth organisations and EU institutions.
• Take a step forward in institutionalising meaningful youth participation in governance structures.

This event will be webstreamed freely on this website and interpreted into EN, FR and DE. ✅ No registration required.

Context

While intentions to involve young people in policy and decision-making processes are generally positive, actual implementation is often limited by a lack of understanding of young people’s needs, insufficient financial and human resources, the absence of engagement strategies, and a very limited recognition of young people’s intersectionality. To be effective, young people must be seen as an integral part of civil society, and their participation must be a structured process, not just an add-on.
The exchange of good practices and mutual learning between stakeholders is crucial for developing effective participatory mechanisms that can adapt to the changing needs and aspirations of young people worldwide.

This is why, the EESC launched the study Structured and Meaningful Youth Participation in Policy and Decision-Making Processes – Mapping Local, National, EU, and International Good Practices to identify the key characteristics of effective participatory mechanisms.

Agenda

• Event information
• Programme
• Webstream
• Videos

Related bodies

• Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment (NAT)
• EESC Youth Group