Why Do Youth Belong at International Decision-making Tables?

Why Do Youth Belong at International Decision-making Tables?

By Mobina Shaikh

The world does not lack young voices; it lacks the willingness to listen to them. This is not just a statement—it is a reality reflected across global decision-making spaces, where policies are shaped, futures are negotiated, and priorities are set, often without meaningfully including the very youth who will be most affected by these decisions.

This exclusion is not just unfair; it is ineffective.

Young people bring more than just new ideas—they bring real-life experiences. In areas like education, they have already contributed to shaping how participation and accountability are understood in decision-making. Their involvement has ensured that policies reflect not only institutional priorities but also the actual needs and experiences of learners. This demonstrates a crucial truth: when youth are included, policies become more grounded, relevant, and impactful.

However, representation alone is not enough. Too often, youth are given a “seat at the table” without the ability to speak freely, challenge ideas, or shape outcomes. This turns inclusion into a formality rather than a real commitment. True participation means treating youth as equal stakeholders—people whose ideas matter and whose voices can create real change.

There are clear reasons why youth must be part of international decision-making.

First, they offer long-term perspectives. Unlike many decision-makers who focus on short-term goals, young people think about the long-term future because they will live with the results of today’s decisions. This is why their input is especially important in areas like climate policy, education, and sustainable development.

Second, youth drive innovation. Growing up in a rapidly changing, digital world, they are naturally adaptive and open to new ideas. Young people question old systems and bring creative solutions to complex global problems. Their ability to think differently helps create more flexible and forward-looking decisions.

Third, youth strengthen accountability. They question, they demand transparency, and they push institutions to do better. Their presence ensures that decisions are not only made but also critically examined.

Finally, youth participation helps build stronger and more inclusive systems. When young people are actively involved, they develop a sense of responsibility and connection to global issues. This changes their role from passive observers to active contributors.

Yet barriers remain. Hierarchies of power, limited access, and assumptions about inexperience continue to exclude youth from meaningful participation. But experience should not be measured only in years. Young people possess a different kind of expertise, one rooted in navigating the realities of today’s world.

Creating space for youth is not about charity; it is about justice. It is about recognizing that those who are most affected by decisions have the right to shape them.

The real question is whether those in power are willing to truly listen and share space. Including youth is not about fulfilling a requirement; it is about recognizing their right to shape the future they will inherit. Until their voices are not only heard but genuinely valued and acted upon, global decisions will remain incomplete. A better future cannot be built for young people without building it with them.

References

  1. UNESCO: Voice & Accountability – How Youth Shaped Global Measure of Participation in Education Decision-making
  2. IDR Online: More Than Just a Seat at the Table
  3. International Health Policies: Let’s Make Space for Young People at Decision-making Tables
  4. YouthsCanProject: 6 Reasons Youth Should Be at the Decision-making Table

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