In a recent panel discussion to enhance youth participation, representatives from Denmark, Hungary, Slovakia, and Norway gathered to exchange ideas and practices.
The representatives converged in a workshop, each bringing their unique experiences and perspectives to the table. Their goal? To transcend pseudo-participation by exploring innovative ideas and practices.
When it comes to youth participation, the challenge of meaningful involvement often takes centre stage. Despite its acknowledged importance, effectively engaging youth can be a complex task.
The panel agreed on the importance of educating children and letting them explore and learn. Lukáš Hrošovský, from Slovakia, emphasized the importance of youth building their own spaces. Examples from his region, Trnava, showed how youth were allowed to create their own safe space, belong to their environment, and participate in planning where children are often pseudo-participants.
Building on Lukas’s point about the need for youth-led spaces, Julia Eikeland highlighted the importance of accessible platforms for young people to voice their concerns and participate in democracy.
“We need to do more to make young people be part of democracy,” Julia Eikeland said, a young politician running for national parliament in Rogaland County. Julia believes we still have a way to go on youth participation.
Julia’s political journey began with her desire to address societal issues, choosing to take action rather than just express frustration. She emphasized the importance of having an available platform.
Youth politics in Rogaland became a gateway for Julia’s political interest. Norwegian counties are legally mandated to have a youth county council for those under 19 who cannot vote in national elections. However, challenges might still arise if the council is not respected amongst adult politicians.
Nevertheless, knowledgeable and engaged youths will stand up for themselves, and the claim of one of the panel members, Fanni Mátyók, resonated with the audience.
“We need to equip children to exercise their rights,” said Fanni Mátyók from Hungary.
Children have many special rights; however, they mean nothing without any inclusion attempts. Teaching children their rights also allows them to stand up for themselves. The workshop stepped beyond pseudo-participation as 13-year-old Mór from Budapest partially moderated the panel discussion.
Mór’s role in co-moderating the panel demonstrated the potential of young voices and symbolized the shift towards genuine inclusion that the workshop aimed to achieve. The panel was, therefore, closely aligned with its intention of stepping beyond pseudo-participation.