Celebrating young people’s potential on International Youth Day

With over half the world’s population under 30, young people should be shaping the future more than ever. Yet, they remain starkly underrepresented in decision-making - only about 2.8% of parliamentarians worldwide being under 30. This International Youth Day is a reminder that for youth to create lasting change, they need the tools, trust, and genuine opportunities to lead. 

Youth representation can take many forms: from shaping education systems and driving local solutions to influencing how organisations design programmes and allocate resources. But too often, young people are present without real influence - consulted, but not empowered to set direction. True representation is measured by impact: the ability to shape agendas, challenge assumptions, and propose solutions that endure.

This shift from having a token presence at the table to genuine influence requires more than invitations. It means investing in systems that treat young people as co-creators of solutions to the world’s biggest challenges.

At World Scouting, we know that influence is intentional. Our Youth Representation model equips young people with the skills, experience, and confidence to engage meaningfully in governance and advocacy. World Scouting’s Youth Representatives take on the responsibility of bringing the voices of 57 million peers to global platforms, covering key challenges facing the world today, such as global health, youth leadership, gender equality, and climate resilience.

Over the past two years alone, Youth Representatives have spoken at the UN General Assembly, UNFCCC COP, and the Commission on the Status of Women, joined intergenerational dialogues with political trailblazers like the first female presidents of Ireland and Liberia, and shared the stage with global change-makers like Malala Yousafzai to call for more inclusive decision-making. 

Bridging the gap between their lived experiences and the decision-making spaces that influence their futures, Youth Representatives have helped shape global commitments like the Pact for the Future to ensure that youth leadership, diversity, and sustainability remain central. They have also represented Scouts in influential networks, such as the Generation Unlimited Young People’s Action Team, the UN Youth Office’s Youth Reference Group, the WHO Youth Council, and the International Coordination Meeting of Youth Organisations (ICMYO), championing the interests and perspectives of Scouts at the highest levels. Alongside advocacy, they follow a structured learning journey, receiving mentorship, training, and access to networks that amplify their impact.

This International Youth Day, let’s commit to making youth participation systemic — not symbolic. By creating youth advisory boards, involving young people in programme design, offering speaking opportunities at decision-making forums, and providing mentorship and training opportunities, young people can be prepared to not just be present, but also to lead.