Youth civic and political participation: shaping our democracies and our fight on climate change

As the Chair of the Council of Member States of International IDEA, Canada, in collaboration with International IDEA, will host an in-person panel discussion on “Youth civic and political participation: shaping our democracies and our fight on climate change” on 2 June 2022, from 09:30 to 11:00. The event will take place at International IDEA’s Headquarters at Strömsborg 1 in Stockholm.

Taking place on the margins of the Stockholm+50 Conference, this public event will be an important opportunity to engage with youth delegates and highlight their commitment and creative approaches to civic and political participation.  In an effort to foster intergenerational dialogue and cooperation, the panel will feature youth leaders, government officials and academic representatives. 

The discussion will focus on how the civic and political participation of youth leaders is strengthening our democracies and contributing to global efforts to maintain a healthy and sustainable planet for all, including in the fight against climate change. We will discuss youth’s increasing engagement in innovative and unconventional democratic practices. Finally, the panel discussion will also be an opportunity to share insights on how governments and civil society organizations can further facilitate youth’s full participation in their activities. 

PROGRAM

• Opening words
• Moderated discussion questions
  • Stéphane Dion, Canada’s Special Envoy to the European Union, Ambassador of Canada to Germany
  • Kara Guloien, Co-Founder, Society for a Plastic Free BC
  • Khushbu Agrawal, Programme Officer, Global Programme, International IDEA
  • Iida Hyyryläinen, Associate Programme Officer, Office of the Secretary-General of IDEA (moderator)
  • And other youth leaders
• Audience questions
• Closing remarks by Dr Kevin Casas-Zamora, Secretary-General of International IDEA

SPEAKERS

Stéphane Dion, Canada's Special Envoy to the European Union, Ambassador of Canada to Germany

His Excellency the Honourable Stéphane Dion is a Canadian diplomat, academic and former politician who has been Canada’s Special Envoy to the European Union and Ambassador to Germany and since 2017.

Kara Guloien, Co-Founder, Society for a Plastic Free BC

Kara is the co-founder of the Society for a Plastic Free BC, a social enterprise with the goal to stimulate green processes and dialogues related to circular economy. She is passionate about civic engagement in youth and the actions they take to achieve the sustainable development goals). Kara is eager to be brought to the table to discuss measures needed to transform the sustainable development goals into youth-led action, through an intersectional lens. 

Khushbu Agrawal, Programme Officer, Global Programmes, International IDEA

Khushbu Agrawal´s research and work focus on political finance and influence of money in politics, and achieving inclusive, responsive and accountable institutions and processes.

Iida Hyyryläinen, Associate Programme Officer, Secretary-General’s Office, International IDEA Iida Hyyryläinen is an Associate Programme Officer at International IDEA. She is actively engaged in efforts to engage youth in international affairs, most recently as part of The Ulkopolitist, a Finnish online magazine focusing on foreign and security policy.

Canada’s Chairship in 2022 of International IDEA

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) is an intergovernmental organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. In 2022, Canada holds the Chair of International IDEA’s Council of Member States and cooperates with the organization on a broad range of issues to strengthen democracy and democratic values and processes.

International IDEA’s work on young people’s political participation and representation focuses on increasing the youth presence and participation in political processes and institutions and strengthening youth skills to enable active democratic participation. International IDEA’s work on climate change and democracy aims to support democracies to successfully confront the climate crisis by leveraging their advantages and overcoming the challenges to formulating effective and democratically owned climate policy agendas.