Solidarity Across Generations is an initiative that promotes intergenerational political collaboration as a key component of creating an inclusive, enabling environment for youth political participation

The exclusion of young people from politics and decision-making based on age has resulted in a fractured relationship between political activists and politicians across generations. Age discrimination stigmatizes all young people, especially those of diverse identities and backgrounds, with negative stereotypes and facilitates their exclusion from both formal and informal political spaces. Additionally, decision-making power and leadership continue to be associated with older males. Young women and young people of diverse identities and backgrounds face additional barriers to participation and lack advocates and role models in leadership and decision-making positions. Intergenerational political collaboration is an essential dimension of changing social norms and sharing decision-making power. Young people are coming of age in a very different world than older generations and intergenerational collaboration is a necessary part of meeting the world’s most intractable challenges, such as economic inequality, environmental degradation and polarization. When they are included, the ideas, imagination, and lived experiences of young people can be valuable resources to achieve sustainable development solutions. As a result, collaboration across generations can yield positive-sum outcomes for the young and old alike.

What can you do?

As part of the Speak Youth to Power campaign, NDI is asking older, established leaders to act in solidarity with young people and pledge to foster intergenerational collaboration.

As a member of an older generation and someone with political power and influence, I understand that it is my responsibility to create and sustain opportunities for young people to have decision-making power in politics. As outlined in the commitments below, I pledge to use my position to work in solidarity with young people, especially young women and young people of diverse identities and backgrounds, to ensure that their voices are heard and that their political aspirations are recognized.  As part of this pledge, I will encourage my peers to embrace the commitments and help the younger generation Speak Youth to Power!

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I commit to listening to and learning from young people, particularly young women and young people of diverse identities and backgrounds, to better understand their needs, interests and values. 

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I commit to acknowledging and addressing attitudes, beliefs and behaviors that exclude young people, particularly young women and young people of diverse identities and backgrounds, from participating in politics. 

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I commit to fostering decision-making spaces that are intergenerational, gender-balanced and inclusive of diverse voices and perspectives. 

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I commit to prioritizing the involvement of young people, particularly young women and young people of diverse identities and backgrounds, in decisions affecting their political, economic and social welfare.