Democracy organizations co-leads of the youth democracy cohort (International IDEA, The European Partnership for Democracy, the European Youth Network and Africtivistes) call on civil society organisations and other stakeholders around the world to promote youth political participation as a bedrock of the summit for democracy process for the future.

The call comes in the context of the second Summit for Democracy which takes place in Washington, Seoul, San Jose, The Hague and Lusaka on 29-30 March 2023 at which countries will discuss the most pressing challenges facing democracy. The Summit for Democracy will mobilise leadership and commitments to expand support to democracy globally.

Civil society organisations, foundations and the private sector must seize the opportunity of the second Summit for Democracy to strengthen youth participation beyond the second Summit:

1. THE YOUTH DEMOCRACY COHORT’S CALL TO ACTION INVITES ALL SUMMIT FOR DEMOCRACY STAKEHOLDERS TO ENGAGE YOUNG PEOPLE IN SUMMIT FOR DEMOCRACY COHORTS.

Roughly 52 per cent of the world’s population is under 30 years old. Therefore, engaging youth in dialogue, actions and decision-making of all the cohorts that continue beyond the second Summit contributes to better diversity and the creation of innovative ideas. This includes particularly young people from the Global South and in countries that have not been invited to join the Summit for Democracy. We invite all cohorts going forward to include young people under 35 years of age.

2. THE YOUTH DEMOCRACY COHORT’S CALL TO ACTION INVITES ALL SUMMIT FOR DEMOCRACY STAKEHOLDERS TO INCLUDE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THEIR POST SUMMIT PLANNING.

Young people are the future of democracy for the world. Civil society organisations, foundations and the private sector are invited to consult with young people about their aspirations for the future of the Summit process by organising consultations with young people going forwards, beginning within 3 months of the second Summit for Democracy. The Youth Democracy Cohort is committed to continue advocating for young people’s voices beyond March 2023.

3. THE YOUTH DEMOCRACY COHORT’S CALL TO ACTION INVITES CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS, FOUNDATIONS, THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND POLICYMAKERS TO PUSH THEIR GOVERNMENTS TO MAKE AT LEAST ONE COMMITMENT ON YOUTH POLITICAL PARTICIPATION WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF THE 2ND SUMMIT FOR DEMOCRACY.

During the first Summit for Democracy, only 28 governments made commitments related to youth in general and even less on youth political and civil participation. This is why the Youth Democracy Cohort developed a menu of possible commitments to help prioritize, facilitate and enhance youth civic and political participation around 33 actionable and specific recommendations: The Youth democracy cohort has launched the Menu of possible commitments for participating states. 

Support increased youth political participation by filling a form on the Youth Democracy Cohort website or by contact us at info@youthdemocracycohort.com.