Empowerment Series for young parliamentarians: Briefing on youth empowerment and political participation

Just over ten years ago, IPU Member Parliaments adopted a landmark resolution on youth participation in the democratic process, declaring that achieving meaningful democracy requires the full and active participation of young people and youth organizations in democratic processes at the local, national, regional and international levels.

Despite this clear political commitment, parliaments have made limited progress in its implementation. The level of youth representation in parliament, as measured regularly by the IPU, remains low. Half the world’s population is under 30, while only 2.6% of MPs globally represent this age group. Thirty-seven per cent of parliamentary chambers do not have any MPs under the age of 30.

To shed light on these issues of concern and mobilize young parliamentarians on solutions from a policy-making perspective, the IPU will dedicate its third online briefing for young MPs to the question of Youth empowerment and political participation. This briefing is part of the Empowerment Series for young MPs launched in March 2022. It will also serve to mark International Youth Day and to take stock of progress made in the implementation of the IPU’s I Say Yes to Youth in Parliament campaign.

IPU Members are invited to register one young male and one young female parliamentarian to participate in the briefing. Presentations by experts will be followed by discussion among young MPs aimed at sharing good practices on policies and legislation related to youth empowerment and political participation.

Simultaneous interpretation will be available in English, French, Arabic and Spanish.

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