Bridging the Gap: Youth Participation in Politics

Join us to discuss with young political leaders from across the world how to bridge the gap between youth and politics!

The world is increasingly recognizing the pressing need of including youth in politics. An increased spotlight on youth should, however, go hand in hand with an increased understanding of young people.

Young people are actively participating in civic life and leading movements, but they only represent 2,8% of the parliamentarians worldwide and the electoral turnout for youth is low. Their active participation in political life does not translate to the formal political spheres, and young people seem increasingly dissatisfied with how democracy has played out for them. Ensuring the political participation of young people is, however, critical for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 16, which promotes inclusive societies and institutions.

How can we bridge the gap between young people and politics? How can we ensure that young people do not only have a seat at the table, but that their voices are also listened to and collaborated with?

Join us as we discuss together with young political leaders on Monday, 15 July from 4:00 - 6:00 PM in New York. This in-person event is hosted at the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations as a side-event of the High Level Political Forum.

Please register beforehand and secure your spot. This is an in-person event.

Programme

3:45 – 4.00 PM Doors open and reception

4:00 – 4:10 PM Welcome by Yoka Brandt, Ambassador Dutch Permanent Representation to the UN

4.10 – 4:30 PM Presentation on NIMD’s lessons learned about Youth Political Participation

4.30 – 5.25 PM Panel discussion and Q&A with young political leaders: Lina Al Aloul (Jordan), Chris Mark (Kenya), Kevin Eustatia (Curacao/Kingdom of the Netherlands), and Angela Rodriguez (NIMD Colombia)

5:25 – 5:30 PM Closing Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs Felipe Paullier

5.30 – 6.00 PM Networking drinks

Location

Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations
666 Third Avenue (Between 42nd and 43rd street), 19th floor
New York 10017, United States
Google Maps Link

Please register beforehand and reserve your spot. We are looking forward to welcoming you!

This event is supported by Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy, Kingdom of the Netherlands, and United Nations Youth Office.

Host or Publisher Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy