Happy International Day of the Youth!

Today was the International Day of the Youth. I was invited by the Global Changemakers to participate in a Twitter chat (find it under #boostyouth !). Below is a summary of some of my insights, recommendations and ideas on how to address ageism and age-related barriers young people face when working towards the #SGDs.

? Why are young people and youth led organisations so important to achieving sustainable development?

?? Our future is shaped by the decisions we take today for a better tomorrow. We absolutely need youth to participate in defining what a “sustainable” world would look like for the current and future generations.

? What can be done to shift the mindset of many organisations to see young people as partners in development, as opposed to beneficiaries alone?

?? We need more diverse project/programme teams within these organisations, with different generations taking part in designing new solutions. We should set a standard (e.g. same as on gender diversity) to include different age groups, including youth.

? What can young people do to gain deeper trust from older generations to increase their participation in development?

?? Trust is a two way street. Young people also need to insure that their contributions are of quality, meaningful and timely. We should avoid tokenism and focus on showing to older generations the real value added.?

? What advice do you have for young people facing age related barriers and ageism when trying to make a difference?

?? I believe that finding allies, e.g. youth networks and older mentors, is key. I've personally found a lot of support in connecting with like-minded individuals, which lead me to the position I am in today. Don’t underestimate the power of changemakers!

? Can you share examples of generations working together effectively/successfully to make a difference?

?? I think Alumni networks are good examples.?GlobalChangemakers does that very well. We also see more initiatives emerge to connect young changemakers with elders, who can bring ("new") perspectives on activism.

? What are one or two concrete actions organisations can take to foster better intergenerational solidarity and cooperation?

?? I reiterate my point on 1) setting a standard to include youth participants in decision-making and in designing new solutions; 2) have a youth focal point, if possible full-time staff (no tokenism!), to mainstream the topic across the organisation.

? What lessons can young people learn from older generations?

?? People in power are usually older people, which lead us to today’s world. We shouldn't forget how important it is to participate in society (e.g. elections, voting, citizens/youth consultations) whenever possible. Otherwise, we’ll end up disillusioned...

? What lessons can older generations learn from younger generations?

?? Nothing is set in stone forever. There is always room to re-think, challenge, pivot, and imagine new models for our society which are aligned with sustainable development. Growing older and wiser should not be synonym of accepting the status quo.?

? What would you say to young people facing imposter syndrome when reaching spaces of influence?

?? First, you’re not alone, we’ve (almost?) all been there! It is good to reflect on how you got there but probably it is because others believe in your capacities! If you need to hear it from someone else?talk with the people who have been there before!

? Bonus question: Young people are key to driving progress towards the SDGs, how can we improve access to funding for youth-led projects?

?? Professionalize opportunities! Grants are a good way to start supporting young people but it is only sustainable to kick-start ideas. Youth-led projects (and entreprises) should not be considered as “student” projects but rather as a first career step!

And you, how do you think we should address ageism and age-related barriers young people face when working towards the #SGDs?