Globally, youth are becoming increasingly disaffected with traditional democratic institutions and processes. Over the last decade, countries around the world have experienced a decline in young people’s formal political participation as well as a growing distrust among young people in established political processes. The current generation of young people is also inheriting a slew of complex and intersecting challenges, including economic and social inequity, environmental degradation, and geopolitical conflict. As these circumstances converge, questions arise about young people’s belief in democratic values and the types of leaders and political systems they’re willing to support. At the same time, many young people remain interested in politics and are participating in civic and political life in ways that challenge established norms and institutions and address socio-political and environmental challenges on their own terms.

Through NDI’s dialogue series, Defending Democracy, developed in partnership with Foreign Policy, three youth leaders shared their thoughts on young people’s relationship to democracy. The panelists discussed their personal and professional experiences as democratic activists and articulated a set of policy recommendations that respond to the needs and challenges facing young people today and that aim to repair the relationship between young people and democratic governance.