Every day, politicians around the world make important decisions about the future of our planet. These choices impact young people the most, yet too often they’re excluded from decision-making.
In a world where global conflict, climate change and socio-economic issues are becoming ever more acute, young people have initiated social movements, tackling issues that impact their own lives and those of communities around the globe. From protesting, to questioning, to petitioning, to voting, young people are showing up in every way they can for our planet, our future and our political systems. But they face barriers that prevent them from fully participating in political decision-making and many of them feel disenfranchised or disenchanted by the same political processes that in many places have been so hard to earn and build. It’s time to change that.
In 2022, the Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth and The Body Shop launched Be Seen, Be Heard, a global campaign which aims to promote youth participation across all spheres of public life in more than 75 countries and territories by inspiring a change in legislation or policy and supporting initiatives.
Together, we’re advocating for systemic change to make sure that young people are better represented in political decision-making at all levels, and that their needs and rights are addressed. It begins with you ─ Take the quiz to learn why young people have a right to be seen and heard in politics.