LocationsPower Up, Asia Pacific: Leveraging the Potential of Youth Political Participation
March 13, 2024
Co-Authored by
Beniam Gebrezghi, Programme Specialist on Civil Society & Youth of UNDP in Asia and the Pacific, and Mridul Upadhyay, Regional Youth Political Participation (YPP) and Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) Coordinator, UNDP in Asia and the Pacific
With over 2 billion voters going to the polls in 2024, including over a dozen countries in Asia-Pacific, a crucial question emerges: will this 'super election year' be any turning point for youth political participation in Asia-Pacific or not?
In the vibrant tapestry of Asia Pacific, over 1.1 billion young people pulse with the potential to participate not just economically and socially but also politically. They are the innovators, the dreamers, and, above all, one of the major constituent groups in any democracy, making them the authentic representatives of their concerns and aspirations. Yet, their voices often remain unheard in the halls of power. Despite this demographic reality, youth remain largely sidelined in decision-making processes, with minimal presence in government bodies. As we know, only 1.84% of parliamentarians in Asia are under 30.
Youth Advisory Group Member delivering a speech during the Sida Annual Partnership Meeting
This blog delves into a substantial report on Youth Political Participation (YPP) programming in the Asia-Pacific region, highlighting existing initiatives, challenges, and promising avenues for advancement. YPP encompasses a broad spectrum of activities, ranging from traditional voting and holding office to engaging in protests, advocacy, community decision-making, and holding stakeholders accountable.
Challenges like institutional barriers, socio-cultural norms, legal hurdles, and financial constraints hinder effective youth participation. Further, lack of awareness, an uneven playing field, and disillusionment can discourage youth engagement. While youth across the region are breaking down these barriers, addressing these challenges requires a multi-pronged approach that empowers young people and creates conducive environments for their engagement.
In a mapping conducted by UNDP on Youth Political Participation programming in Asia Pacific, over a thousand initiatives from the past seven years were analysed, revealing valuable insights into programme design, focus, and implementation strategies. It further identifies three distinct levels of engagement: "In the Room," "Around the Room," and "Outside the Room," highlighting the need for greater emphasis on direct participation and meaningful dialogue.
YECAP Fellow sharing her voice during the 79th session of the Commission side event on Acceleration of Climate Action: Engagement and Empowerment of Youth for the Future
A significant portion of programmes have been focusing on "For Youth" approaches rather than fostering active "With Youth" or "By Youth" participation. While informal "Outside the room" engagement receives considerable attention, formal "In the room" decision-making structures involving youth remain limited.
Age and gender-disaggregated data are crucial for understanding YPP impact and progress. Current efforts require improvement, as many programmes use generic "youth and women" language without addressing specific youth needs, especially the unique challenges young women face.
Charting the Course Forward:
The report outlines comprehensive recommendations for stakeholders across sectors:
- Prioritize Active 'Participation in Governance': Design programmes that directly involve youth in political processes and governance beyond just taking youth perspectives to the decision-making table.
- Focus on "Around the room" Strategies: Support initiatives like training and mentorship for youth wings of political parties to bridge the gap between informal and formal engagement.
- Strengthen Civic Education: Develop and implement effective civic education programs, including "Outside the Room" initiatives like youth parliaments, to nurture political awareness and engagement.
- National Strategies and Frameworks: Collaboratively develop national YPP strategies and frameworks with active youth participation, ensuring their voices are heard and reflected.
- Safe Spaces for Young Leaders: Prioritize the well-being of young political leaders by establishing safe spaces for mental health support, psychosocial well-being, and protection from potential threats.
The journey towards meaningful youth political participation in Asia and the Pacific is long and winding. UNDP actively supports youth political participation across the region by building youth capacity, facilitating dialogue between youth and policymakers, supporting youth-led initiatives and campaigns, and pushing for legal and policy reforms.
Young leaders and entrepreneurs in a dialogue during the Youth CoLab Summit 2023
The report also outlines numerous tangible initiatives to increase YPP, such as formalizing youth engagement mechanisms in policy development, establishing minimum parliamentary quotas for youth, setting up stronger youth parliaments, and simplifying voter registration for young people.
By working together, young people, civil society organizations, and institutions like UNDP can ensure their voices become an inseparable thread in the region's tapestry. Ignite the spark, build bridges, skill up for action, embrace youth diversity, and demand accountability.
Join the conversation! Read the report, share your ideas, and advocate to increase youth political participation in your community.
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