Despite being the most connected and educated generation in history, young people remain starkly underrepresented where it matters most in the rooms where decisions are made.
Globally, only 2.8% of parliamentarians are under the age of 30, a statistic many see as scandalous in an era where the energy, innovation, and lived experience of youth should be shaping the world’s future.
This year’s International Youth Day (IYD), themed “Youth Advancing Multilateral Cooperation through Technology and Partnerships”, is a rallying point for action. The call is clear: young people need more than token seats at the table. They need the tools, trust, and authority to lead.
Representation, advocates argue, should be measured not by the number of young faces in a meeting, but by the impact of their voices, the ability to set agendas, challenge outdated assumptions, and drive enduring solutions.
From rejigging education systems to designing community-led responses to climate change, youth are already doing the work. But too often, their presence is performative rather than powerful.
“Young workers know that democracy is not just about elections. It’s about participation, inclusion and collective action,” said ITUC General Secretary Luc Triangle. “Young people are demanding a democracy that delivers for people and the planet.”
The stakes are high. Across the globe, democracy and workers’ rights face sustained attacks from authoritarian forces and far-right movements. The rights to organise, strike, and bargain collectively are being rolled back. Young people are among the hardest hit and the most active in pushing back.
In Nigeria, youth-led democratic engagement has been on the rise. From mobilising voters and monitoring elections to challenging corruption and advocating for inclusivity, young Nigerians have shown a willingness to shape their political future. Digital platforms have amplified this energy, enabling youth to fact-check politicians, document election irregularities, and organise civic action at scale.
Partnerships with global tech firms are also playing a role. Initiatives like Facebook’s Nigeria Election Integrity Hub and Google’s promotion of credible election content have helped counter misinformation, safeguarding democratic discourse.
This year’s IYD also carries symbolic weight as the world approaches the 30th anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth, a UN framework that champions young people as central actors in sustainable development and participatory governance. The ongoing discussions will feed into the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha this November, potentially shaping how governments and institutions approach youth inclusion for years to come.
As the world marks International Youth Day, the message from activists, unions, and youth networks is consistent: it is time to move beyond symbolic gestures. Youth participation must be systemic, structured, and sustained. Advisory boards, leadership fellowships, co-created programmes, and mentorship pipelines are not “extras” they are essential.
The challenge is not whether young people are ready to lead, but whether those in power are ready to make room.
