Around the world, young people are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with democracy. For many young people, their frustrations lie with poorly functioning governing institutions that aren't delivering policies that meet their economic needs or align with their social values. Likewise, youth often face negative stereotypes and significant barriers to participating in democratic processes based on their identity and other factors, such as social and economic status.

One of the key ways that legislatures promote democratic governance and accountability for their constituents is by participating in the yearly process of scrutinizing and authorizing the executive’s budget proposal for government spending. As the national institution most closely linked to the population’s demands, legislatures have a special responsibility to engage with the budget process to ensure that it is transparent and reflects citizen priorities.

Parliaments play a critical role in ensuring laws comply with international, regional, and national standards and are responsive to the public interest. They can also raise public awareness on human rights concerns and elevate issues of importance to marginalized communities, including people with disabilities. Parliaments have the power and responsibility to make meaningful contributions toward improving accessibility at local, national, and international levels. 

On a dirt stage packed on all sides by a rapt audience, a young man with prematurely grayed hair howls in outrage at his radio. Acting the part of an inept village chief, he rails at the radio, his wife, and a passing neighbor about a local government decision that he sees as interference in his town’s land disputes.