IGF 2021 WS #236
Fostering youth participation in policy-making

Organizer 1: Weronika Myck, PwC
Organizer 2: Jakub Hop, PwC Poland
Organizer 3: Malina Jankowska, PwC

Speaker 1: Weronika Myck, Private Sector, Eastern European Group
Speaker 2: Malina Jankowska, Private Sector, Eastern European Group
Speaker 3: Jakub Hop, Private Sector, Eastern European Group

Moderator

Jakub Hop, Private Sector, Eastern European Group

Online Moderator

Weronika Myck, Private Sector, Eastern European Group

Rapporteur

Jakub Hop, Private Sector, Eastern European Group

Format

Break-out Group Discussions - Round Tables - 90 Min

Policy Question(s)

Economic and social inclusion and sustainable development: What is the relationship between digital policy and development and the established international frameworks for social and economic inclusion set out in the Sustainable Development Goals and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and in treaties such as the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Conventions on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, on the Rights of the Child, and on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities? How do policy makers and other stakeholders effectively connect these global instruments and interpretations to national contexts?
Inclusion, rights and stakeholder roles and responsibilities: What are/should be the responsibilities of governments, businesses, the technical community, civil society, the academic and research sector and community-based actors with regard to digital inclusion and respect for human rights, and what is needed for them to fulfil these in an efficient and effective manner?

Youth and children, aged 24 years and younger, account for nearly a half of the world's population. Yet while their voice is increasingly heard, often youth's consultation focus primarily on youth policies. What is more governments and institutions fail to reach broader groups than those already engaged and interested in policy-related topics. How can governments and other international institutions make most of digital tools to foster policy-making and improve inclusivity of consultation processes? How can they build channels tailored to youth to assure their voice being heard and empower younger generations to engage in their communities? How can institutions support innovation in policy-making?

SDGs

16.6


Targets: We aim to strengthen the dialogue around inclusivity in policy-making. As the young people are the largest constituency in our society and often the driving force in their communities appropriate channels and tools should be available to have their voice heard.

Description:

Youth and children, aged 24 years and younger, account for nearly a half of the world's population. Yet while their voice is increasingly heard, often youth's consultation focus primarily on youth policies. What is more governments and institutions fail to reach broader groups than those already engaged and interested in policy-related topics. How can governments and other international institutions make most of digital tools to foster policy-making and improve inclusivity of consultation processes? How can they build channels tailored to youth to assure their voice being heard and empower younger generations to engage in their communities? How can institutions support innovation in policy-making?

Expected Outcomes

Prior to the event we expect to produce a background material highlighting the issues to discuss. Session will be concluded with a report summarising main conclusions and postulates.

We will kick off with introduction and highlighting the key topics and issues including presenting outcomes of work conducted by introduced speakers.

Session will follow methodologies of design thinking. We will work in smaller groups to brainstorm and address key questions as well as formulate recommendations.

Having a "flexible seating" group discussion will allow us to split the group into smaller ones, having some groups in person and some online.

To allow exchange of views in a more plenary arrangement at the beginning and at the end we will use polling tools such as "mentimeter" that can be used via mobile phones by both those who join us in person and online. This will allow equal participation of all.

Online Participation



Usage of IGF Official Tool. Additional Tools proposed: Mentimeter polling tool to involve all participants on an equal basis in the workshop

Additional digital video-conferencing tool provided by the organisers or GoogleMeets should the online workshop platform be our responsibility.