Researching and advancing young people's role in politics, policy, and democracy.
The Centre for Youth Policy focuses on eight core priorities that shape how young people engage with democracy, governance, and policy worldwide.
Despite making up a significant share of the global population, young people remain underrepresented in legislatures, political parties, and formal decision-making institutions. Structural barriers—including age requirements, limited access to party networks, and financial constraints—often prevent young leaders from entering political office. This issue area examines efforts to expand youth representation through reforms such as lowering voting and candidacy age thresholds, establishing youth quotas, and opening party structures to younger members. It also explores emerging digital pathways into politics, as well as the role of local governance as a critical entry point for youth leadership. Through comparative research and policy analysis, the Centre studies how political systems can create more inclusive pathways for young people to participate meaningfully in governance and public leadership.
Sustained civic engagement requires more than moments of mobilization; it depends on institutions, networks, and opportunities that enable young people to participate consistently in public life. Across the world, youth are engaging through civil society organizations, volunteer initiatives, and emerging platforms that connect activism with policymaking. This issue area examines how youth-led policy incubators, participatory budgeting initiatives, and youth assemblies are creating structured pathways for civic participation and leadership. It also explores the role of youth advocacy in areas such as judicial reform and democratic accountability, as well as how movements transition from protest-driven mobilization to long-term policy influence. By studying these developments, the Centre seeks to understand how durable civic infrastructures can empower young people to shape public institutions and democratic outcomes over time.
Healthy democracies depend on active and informed citizen participation, yet many countries are experiencing declining trust in institutions and growing political polarization. For younger generations, traditional pathways of political engagement are evolving alongside new digital platforms and forms of civic participation. This issue area examines trends in youth voter turnout, changing attitudes toward democratic institutions, and the broader challenges posed by democratic backsliding. It also explores how digital tools are reshaping political participation and how reforms in civic education can strengthen democratic literacy among young people. Through comparative research and policy analysis, the Centre seeks to understand how democratic systems can better engage younger citizens and rebuild confidence in democratic governance.
As global challenges become increasingly interconnected, multilateral institutions must adapt to the perspectives and priorities of younger generations. Yet youth voices remain largely absent from many global governance structures and decision-making processes. This issue area explores how young leaders, advocates, and policymakers are engaging with international institutions and shaping debates on the future of global cooperation. It examines youth representation in multilateral forums, the rise of global youth policy networks, and the role of cross-border coalitions in advancing shared priorities. The Centre also studies how emerging generations are contributing to discussions on international law, institutional reform, and the evolving meaning of sovereignty in a more interconnected world. Through this lens, the research highlights how youth participation can strengthen multilateralism and help design more inclusive and responsive global governance systems.
Economic opportunity is one of the defining concerns for younger generations. Across countries, young people are navigating shifting labor markets, rising living costs, and new technological disruptions that are reshaping traditional career pathways. This issue area examines youth employment trends, the growth of entrepreneurship ecosystems, and the evolving relationship between education, skills, and work. It also explores the impact of artificial intelligence and automation on future job markets, alongside structural challenges such as housing affordability, student debt, and barriers to economic mobility. By analyzing these dynamics, the Centre seeks to better understand the economic priorities and aspirations of young people, as well as the policies and investment frameworks—including emerging interest in ESG and impact investing—that influence their economic future.
Public policy decisions made today will shape the opportunities and constraints faced by future generations. Yet political systems often prioritize short-term outcomes over long-term sustainability. This issue area examines how governments, institutions, and civil society can better incorporate generational fairness into policymaking. It explores questions surrounding intergenerational fiscal burdens, the long-term implications of climate policy, and the sustainability of pension and social welfare systems. The Centre also studies emerging approaches such as constitutional protections for future generations, youth participation in public budgeting processes, and generational impact assessments designed to evaluate how policies affect younger and future citizens. By advancing research in this area, the Centre seeks to promote governance frameworks that balance present needs with the rights and well-being of generations to come.
Across the world, young people are not only participating in politics—they are actively reshaping democratic institutions. From youth-led political movements and institutional reform efforts to new forms of civic organization and media ecosystems, younger generations are redefining how democracy functions. This issue area examines how youth are influencing constitutional debates, advocating for institutional change, and building new platforms for political participation and public discourse. By studying these developments across regions, the Centre explores how youth leadership is transforming democratic governance and creating new pathways for representation, accountability, and institutional innovation.
Young people are transforming the landscape of civil society by building new forms of collective action that operate beyond traditional organizational models. While established NGOs continue to play an important role, many youth-led initiatives are emerging through networked movements, digital-first organizing, and decentralized civic platforms. This issue area examines how younger generations are creating hybrid models that combine online mobilization with offline community action, enabling faster responses to social and political challenges. It also explores the rise of youth philanthropy, peer-to-peer support networks, and grassroots mutual aid systems that have proven especially influential during crises. By studying these evolving civic structures, the Centre analyzes how youth are redefining participation, collaboration, and impact within civil society worldwide.
Young people play a critical yet often underrecognized role in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and post-conflict recovery. While youth are frequently portrayed as sources of instability in fragile contexts, evidence increasingly shows that they can be powerful agents of peace when meaningfully included in political and security processes. This issue area examines the role of young people in mediation efforts, community resilience, and reconciliation initiatives, as well as their participation in formal peace processes and security institutions. It also explores the policy frameworks that support youth inclusion in peacebuilding—such as youth-led dialogue platforms, local peace committees, and international initiatives that recognize youth as partners in building sustainable peace. Through research and comparative analysis, the Centre seeks to highlight how youth engagement can contribute to more durable and inclusive approaches to peace and security.