Shaping Democracy for future generations
![Picture of young activists calling out for the respect of democracy](/https/www.eeas.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/hero_inside_content2/public/media/2023/shutterstock_2189683683.jpg?itok=Hc1kGZK8)
Promoting a holistic approach to foster democracy, with the youth by our side
The EU promotes a comprehensive approach to democracy that integrates various aspects: credible elections, the rule of law, human rights, peace, security, including economic security, development and trade.
The EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy, adopted in 2020, provides a comprehensive policy and operational approach to democracy and human rights in external relations, with youth as a fundamental element in this framework.
![Youth Democracy Cohort - extract of a video displaying young woman sharing her testimony](/https/www.eeas.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/full_content_width/public/media/2023/Democracy%20Cohort%20-%20extract%20of%20a%20video%20displaying%20young%20woman%20sharing%20her%20testimony.png?itok=jFQRQvYw)
Youth Democracy Cohort
Click on the image to watch the full video published on LinkedIn.
Empowering women and youth: boosting rights and political engagement
Young people are too often excluded from political, economic and social decision-making processes. To build stronger, more legitimate, inclusive, peaceful and democratic societies, they need to be at the centre of our action for democracy.
The EU adopted in 2022 a Youth Action Plan in external action. One of the main flagship programmes adopted in this context is the Women and Youth in Democracy (WYDE) initiative that supports women and youth participation in public affairs as citizens, voters, politicians, candidates, and elected officials.
The WYDE initiative will amplify the voice and leadership of women and young people, youth representatives and youth-led organisations across the world, by strengthening their rights, empowerment, and participation in public and political affairs. This initiative will support grassroots organizations and young activists engaged in anti-corruption, citizen election observation, democratic reform advocacy, civil education, promotion of the right to vote, freedom of association and assembly and human rights.
As part of our commitment to include Youth, Youth Focal Points have been appointed in EU Delegations across the world. They play a fundamental role in multiplying the EU’s diplomatic network on the ground, particularly to amplify actions involving young people.
#OurVoiceOurFuture: Giving the floor to the youth
An illustration of EU’s commitment to youth worldwide is the EEAS initiative “Our Voice Our Future”. The youth-led social media campaign #OurVoiceOurFuture lends young leaders a platform to share their vision for a future based on solidarity and cooperation, where human rights can thrive and youth are empowered to drive change.
As this year we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), we recognise the vital importance of youth participation in building strong and sustainable democratic societies.