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Joint Statement on the S4D 2024

The Youth Democracy Cohort calls for concrete actions at the Summit for Democracy 2024 to enhance young people’s political participation rights, emphasising inclusivity, support for youth-led organisations, increased opportunities for young people in civil service and politics, and inspiration of the Menu of Possible State Commitments as a tool for ambitious action.

The 100 undersigned civil society and inter-governmental organisations call on the government of South Korea and all participating governments at the upcoming Summit for Democracy 2024 to take concrete actions to improve the rights to political participation of young people. 

With the theme “Democracy for Future Generations”, the third iteration of the Summit must place young people and their concerns at the heart of decision-making and policy impact. At a time of growing distrust in institutions among the younger generation, it falls on policymakers to ensure that democracies are truly representative and inclusive. The Summit represents the ideal gathering of youth stakeholders and public authorities where concrete commitments to change can be made. The role of young people as critical agents of change in shaping the present and the future is being recognised by world leaders. Governments have pledged to improve youth political rights through the adoption of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and youth are granted growing space at international and regional institutions such as the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union and the Association of South-East Asian Nations. Beyond these political decisions, the youth of the world deserve democracies that deliver.

Therefore, we call on governments to: 

  • All governments must have a holistic, inclusive and evidence-based national youth policy that accounts for the diversity of youth. 
  • The independence and funding of youth-led civil society organisations, especially of National Youth Councils, must be ensured and sustained with a multi-year approach. 
  • More paths and mechanisms must be created for young people, including young women and people with disabilities, to enter civil service and political positions. Lowering the candidacy age and the creation of junior professional schemes for entering civil service are essential measures to improve youth representation at all government levels. 

Beyond these measures, the Youth Democracy Cohort’s Menu of Possible State Commitments is a useful tool for governments willing to take on ambitious action for younger generations. There can be no discussion about future generations without meaningful and inclusive participation of young people. 

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    They joined the statement

    Muanenguba Environmental Development Association
    Deep-Impact Empowerment Initiative
    Guyana Environment Initiative
    Elykia Institute
    Club Zaida Catalan pour la paix et la sécurité
    National Planning Commission, Government of Nepal
    ADILo
    Candon Youth for Empowerment Movement, Inc.
    KAMPALA CAPITAL CITY AUTHORITY (KCCA)
    LIVE OUT LOUD NAMIBIA
    Association des Volontaires pour la Sensibilisation, Promotion de Droit et de DĂ©veloppement durable, AVSPDD en sigle
    Integrated for New Knowledge
    Amazon Theatrix Ensemble
    ONG DOXA HOUSE FOUNDATION
    Convention Tchadienne de Défense des Droits de l’Homme (CTDDH)
    Saving African youth dreams initiative
    Democratic party of Mongolia
    dpart - Forschung für politische Partizipation gUG (haftungsbeschränkt)
    Organization for Economic Inclusion
    Vijana MbeleFoundation (VMF)
    Peace And Justice Alliance
    Aspire Sync Network
    Civic Development Lab CIDEL
    Amman Center for Human Rights Studies
    Center for Strategic Development Studies
    Tigwilizane Centre For Democraacy and Development(TCDD)
    Saving African youth dreams initiative