Societies and governments benefit from citizens who are engaged in making all the necessary transitions to co-create and maintain a world we all want to live in. Especially better collaboration between governments and young citizens is essential for building a more sustainable and equitable future. Young people may not hold most power in society, they are not the best organised not the most wealthy, but young people are the ones who will inherit the world that current leaders are shaping today. It is in everyone’s best interest to ensure that they have a seat at the table and a voice in the decisions that will impact their lives. It only seems fair too, because their future is the longest, after all. By working together, governments and young citizens can co-create policies and programs that are more responsive to the needs and aspirations of all citizens, leading to a more just, inclusive, and resilient society in the short and longer term.
Youth civic engagement is a term used to describe young people who are actively engaged in their community and are passionate about making a positive impact on society. In today’s rapidly changing world, the voices and perspectives of young people are more important than ever. From them, the next generation of leaders, activists, and change-makers will emerge. Young citizens can bring fresh ideas, innovative solutions, and a passion for social justice to the table. However, to truly make a difference and create lasting change and impact, governments must collaborate more effectively with young people. By working together, governments can tap into this valuable source of knowledge and expertise to develop more effective policies and programs that truly address the needs of all citizens.
An urgent need for Youth Civic Engagement
Youth Civic Engagement is a term used to describe young people who are actively engaged in their community and are passionate about making a positive impact on society. In today’s rapidly changing world, the voices and perspectives of young people are more important than ever. From their midst the next generation of leaders, activists, and change-makers will emerge. Young citizens can bring fresh ideas, innovative solutions, and a passion for social justice to the table. However, to truly make a difference and create lasting change and impact, governments must collaborate more effectively with young people. By working together, governments can tap into this valuable source of knowledge and perspectives to develop more effective policies and programs that truly address the needs of all citizens.
By actively partnering with young citizens, governments can harness this energy and channel it towards common goals, creating a more inclusive and participatory decision-making process.
Partners in shaping a more just and sustainable world
To achieve this, it’s crucial that governments actively engage with young people as partners in shaping a more just and sustainable world. Stby recently published a Handbook for Public-Civic Collaboration that aims to support public-civic collaborations, and we believe some of these tools well suited to support better public-civic collaborations with young people.
By Paulien Kreutzer
* Foto credit: Expeditie: toekomst. Foto Waag Futurelab, door Wardie Hellendoorn