DistantNews
Support us
Youth and democracy forum opens in Brasilia with a call to action
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Elections & Politics

Youth and democracy forum opens in Brasilia with a call to action

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A forum on youth and democracy opened in Brasilia, organized by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) with support from EFE.
  • The event calls for young people in Latin America to voice their concerns and actively participate in public policy construction.
  • Participants will engage in policy labs to debate critical issues and draft a consensus declaration outlining their aspirations for the future of democracy.

The 'Future Governments: Youth Expectations' forum, a collaborative effort between the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and EFE, has commenced in Brasilia. This significant gathering aims to empower young people across Latin America, urging them to become active participants in shaping public policy. Claudio Providas, the UNDP resident representative in Brazil, emphasized that meaningful change happens from within, highlighting the forum as a crucial platform for youth to articulate their visions and demands for the future.

the struggles are given from within

— Claudio ProvidasUNDP resident representative in Brazil, urging youth to get involved in policy making.

The event is more than just a discussion; it's a space for dialogue and action. Through policy labs, young attendees will delve into six critical themes, with the outcomes feeding into a broader consensus declaration. This process underscores a commitment to ensuring that youth are not merely recipients of decisions but are recognized as key protagonists in building their nations' futures. EFE's Director of Business for South America, Nuria Engelmo, stated that incorporating youth voices is essential for the vitality of democracies.

this event represents a milestone for them to express their concerns and proposals about the future and what they expect from governments

— Claudio ProvidasUNDP resident representative in Brazil, on the importance of the forum for youth expression.

This initiative is particularly resonant in Latin America, where many young people feel disconnected from political processes. The forum's structure, which includes real-time voting on future scenarios and remote participation via digital surveys and Q&A, is designed to foster engagement. By providing these tools, the organizers aim to bridge the gap between youth aspirations and governmental action, fostering a more inclusive and representative democratic landscape. The emphasis on active participation and policy co-creation reflects a growing recognition, both locally and internationally, of the indispensable role young citizens play in forging a sustainable and equitable future.

we also believe that the future of our democracies needs to increasingly incorporate the voice of young people, not only as recipients of decisions, but as active protagonists in building the future

— Nuria EngelmoDirector of Business for South America at EFE, during the forum's opening.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog