Challenge the Status Quo: YouthUP politics!

There are 1.8 billion young people between the ages of 10 and 24 in the world. That represents almost 1/4th of the world population and is the largest youth cohort ever. Together, we should be able to challenge the status quo, change the system and shape the future.

Our democratic societies are built in a way that things can be changed through active participation in political processes, such as by using the active and passive voting rights that every citizen of their country is entitled to. However, young peoples’ participation in elections at all levels is in sharp decline. The question is: while having all this power to influence decision making, why do we choose not to use it?

It is regularly claimed that young people today are apathetic. We care about nothing but ourselves, which is why we don’t vote. This obviously comes from a deep misunderstanding of young people and, frankly speaking, a certain degree of ignorance related to the matter of youth participation. We are exceptionally active when it comes to non-conventional forms of participation. In Lithuania, for example, thousands of young people are getting involved in various social media-based initiatives. At the start of the crisis in Ukraine, it was young people who led the campaign promoting buying Lithuanian goods and boycotting Russian products to express support for Ukraine. Yes, in a very different way than our parents would imagine, but we are still engaging in political discussions.

The point is that voting or running for a mandate does not appeal to a young person anymore. We have to acknowledge other forms of political participation, and make them relevant.

We can’t just abandon current system of representative democracy. We should rather think of how to change the system and innovate in a way that attracts young people.

The analysis is clear…but what about the solutions?

On the occasion of a “New Narratives for Europe” event that was organized in Vilnius in May 2016, the Lithuanian Youth Council joined the European Youth Forum’s campaign that seeks to Youth UP politics. In a workshop that was facilitated by a trainer from the European Youth Forum, we brainstormed about the main reasons why youth participation in democratic processes is declining. Alongside the usual arguments that young people don’t trust politicians, that we think that our votes have no impact, or that we lack information or the information is too convoluted, participants highlighted that a lack of younger politicians also leads to the perception that there is no one who understands our concerns and represents our interests. It all adds to a vicious circle.

But what is more interesting is to focus on the solutions: what can be done in order to Youth UP politics? Here are the solutions we came up with during our workshop:

Solution Nr. 1: E-voting

Our generation, probably more than ever before, values time. Probably due to our use of the internet, every minute matters! We therefore need a participatory system that allows us to be active but that is not overly time consuming. During the YouthUP workshop, we came to the conclusion that voting online would not only save time, but also encourage young people, in particular living abroad, to take part in elections. Lithuanians who live abroad have to register at the embassy of the country of residence, and then return to the same embassy on Election Day. This whole procedure can become a burden and a reason not to vote.

Introducing internet-based voting has to be combined with ensuring youth-oriented communications about different political parties, candidates and their agendas also happen online, and in a youth friendly way. Information has to finally be both easily accessible and understandable.

The methodologies used also need to remain up-to-date. Recent data shows that the majority of our online activities, when not at home, is done via smartphones rather then laptops; hence the need for innovative solutions that correspond to young people’s daily habits, such as voting apps.

Solution Nr. 2: Democracy as a celebration

Voting indeed is a serious responsibility and young people understand that. Nevertheless, the seriousness of the act does not mean it cannot be enjoyable as well.

The idea of the massive party after elections, where only those who voted are able to join, came up a bit unexpectedly during the workshop. It does provide however food for thought on what our democracy is actually missing: it shows that we first and foremost want to enjoy participation in decision making processes, and to do it collectively. As it stands, it is presented as a duty, and a stressful exercise if you want to get informed to make the right decision. Democracy would gain from elections being seen as celebrating the right to decide on your future, rather than a test of how advanced you are in political theory.

It is not fun when done alone. However, when you gather all those who voted in one place, you would be able to better visualize the power that you have collectively. The sense of belonging is crucial here. It was mentioned by one participant that every single person who voted should get a sticker that proves your participation. That was said in a context of being allowed into the party but the main message again is that you want to feel connected to your peers .

Is one person in the battlefield not a warrior? Not quite…

If nothing is done about low youth participation, young people will continue to be marginalized and feel excluded from their societies — with all the disturbing consequences that could follow. We need to put more effort into making voting appealing and accessible for young people again.

And it is important to be in this together: policy makers, business, civil society representatives, young people themselves have to cooperate and work hand in hand to make youth participatory democracy happen. Whether through introducing internet voting, making it a more collective and joyful act one way of another, it would never work without the involvement and commitment of all key actors.

Rome wasn’t built in a day. But neither was it built by one or two dedicated individuals. It required collective action.