Dear ,
You know what? I’m feeling great! And that’s even after just finishing five intense days at our ‘Democracy Camp’ in Bucharest.
Together with 62 young people from across Europe, we delved into the topic of democracy in post-communist Romania and explored some of the most promising and innovative ways to engage young people in political decision-making. The insights from our discussions will soon be published in a ‘Handbook for Youth Democracy’, which we hope will catch the attention of decision-makers and civil society organisations across Europe.
So, the ‘Democracy Camp’ wasn’t just intense—it was also incredibly productive. Is that why I’m feeling so good? Absolutely—but it’s not the only reason! During the camp, I was reminded of how crucial it is to involve young people more in political decision-making. Their perspectives, ideas, and concerns are often missing from the political conversation, yet their contributions are invaluable. As we sat together at the camp, I was struck by the diversity and creativity of the ideas our participants brought to the table. Young people approach challenges like social inequality, climate change, and environmental sustainability in ways that continue to surprise and inspire me. We need more of that!
And there’s another reason I’m feeling so positive: at Democracy International, we’ve been working more and more with young people in recent years. We engage with teenagers and young adults from all over the world through events, multi-day camps, volunteer programmes, and other formats. Building these initiatives with our team has been a highlight for me—and it’s exactly what I want to continue contributing to at Democracy International!
So, to sum up: It's going great!