Democracy belongs to the next generation too

Around the world, democracy is facing growing challenges. War, disinformation, corruption, political polarisation and declining trust in institutions remind us that democracy can never be taken for granted.

For young people, these challenges are not abstract.

Ukrainian young people are experiencing a devastating war in their everyday lives. They know what it means when freedom, security and democratic values are threatened by military aggression. At the same time, they continue to study, make music, participate in civil society and work for the future of their country.

Norwegian young people have grown up in a peaceful democratic society where participation, freedom of expression and the rule of law are largely taken for granted.

There is much to learn from this difference in experience.

Ukrainian youth have important lessons to share about courage, resilience and the value of freedom when democracy is under pressure.

Norwegian youth have experiences to share about democratic participation, local democracy, dialogue and how young people can influence decisions in a stable democratic society.

When these experiences meet, both sides can learn – and both can become stronger.

From young people – not only for young people

The democracy report is therefore not intended to be a report about young people written by adults.

It is a report by young people, with young people, and for the future.

Young people are being invited to contribute their ideas, experiences and visions. What makes a democracy strong? What threatens it? How can young people participate more actively in democratic life? How can we strengthen human rights, transparency, freedom of expression and the fight against corruption?

And perhaps most importantly:

What kind of democracy do young people want to inherit – and what kind of democracy do they want to create?

These questions deserve more than adult answers.

They deserve the voices of the generation that will carry democracy forward.

An invitation to youth councils across Norway

As part of this work, all municipal and county youth councils in Norway are invited to take part in the process.

Their participation is important because youth councils represent young people where democracy begins – in local communities.

We hope that municipalities, counties, organisations, foundations, businesses and other parts of society will recognise the importance of this initiative and help make participation possible.

For many youth councils, travelling to Oslo requires financial support.

We therefore hope that society will help fund the journey for municipal and county youth councils so that young people from across Norway can come together in Oslo.

Their participation should not depend on whether a young council has the financial resources to travel.

If we genuinely want young people to participate in democracy, we must also create the conditions that make participation possible.

The Youth Peace Conference in Oslo

The democracy process will be an important part of the Youth Peace Conference at Oslo Concert Hall, where Norwegian and Ukrainian young people will meet, exchange experiences and discuss the future they want to build.

The conference will bring together young people from different backgrounds and communities – but with a shared interest in peace, freedom and democracy.

It will be a place for dialogue rather than division.

A place where young people can listen to each other, challenge each other’s ideas and discover that their different experiences can become a source of strength.

The meeting between Norwegian and Ukrainian youth is particularly important.

For Ukrainian participants, Norway represents a country with a long tradition of peace, democratic institutions and strong civil society.

For Norwegian participants, Ukraine represents a generation that is defending not only its homeland, but also fundamental democratic values under extraordinary circumstances.

This is not a one-way exchange. It is a meeting between equals.

The future is being shaped now

The choices made today will influence the lives of young people for decades to come.

That is why young people should not be invited into the democratic conversation only when they become adults.

They should be part of it now.

The democracy report will provide an opportunity for young people to express their concerns, hopes and ideas – and to bring those perspectives into dialogue with decision-makers, civil society and the wider public.

The Youth Peace Conference will take this one step further by bringing young people together across national borders.

Because democracy is strongest when people participate.

And peace is stronger when young people are given the opportunity to build relationships across borders before conflicts arise.

An invitation to take part

We invite young people and youth councils across Norway to join this important process.

Bring your experiences.

Bring your questions.

Bring your ideas for the future.

And listen to the experiences of young people from Ukraine.

Let us create a democracy report that does not simply describe the world young people are inheriting – but gives them a voice in shaping the world they will live in.

The future belongs to young people.