YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES

Contextualization

The challenges and trends presented in this session relate to the inclusion of young people in water decision-making instances. Society around the world still does not value the strength of young people in public policy participation and decision-making. It is well known today that young people genetically bring the quality of responding more quickly and creatively to problems due to natural resilience in pursuit of survival. However, the low youth representativeness in councils and collegiate organs, the lack of funding for participation, the difficulty of democratic processes in embracing the diversity of society induces a vicious cycle of youth exclusion. In addition, it is worth emphasizing that youth culture varies greatly from culture to culture and this changes the way young people want to be included in the debates so that there is no ready-made formula.

Recommendations

It is recommended to young people to see problems closely, engage in research and team up with others, and fall in love with creating solutions; use digital and social media tools to help share knowledge and experiences; occupy representation spaces such as water committees and councils; seek innovative education methodologies available primarily in non-formal education to engage young people; participate in awards and notices, seeking recognition of initiatives and increasing access to funding sources; and make the most of the youth creative and “maker” potential, generating visible results.

Conclusions

Although young people still find it difficult to make space in water decision-making, there is a huge scope for those who are proactive and creative in carrying out projects regardless of financial conditions. This feature has great potential to demonstrate practical results and thus facilitate the search for future sources of funding. There is greater importance in youth participation than in project realization. Young people are tomorrow’s professionals, and their participation in society is the best school we can have to get better prepared, with a better developed vision of the world we want. Being a young person who is passionate about the idea, who works and pursues its goals is very important as the results are not short term.