YOUTH VOICES FORUM

21 May 2026

17. Juni 2026 — Kulturhaus Kopstal - Registration required

EDUCATION FOR AGENCY:
YOUTH AT THE HEART OF DEMOCRATIC RENEWAL

Intergenerational dialogue & collective intelligence
Hear directly from young people as they share their experiences of participation, exclusion, civic engagement, and hope for democratic renewal. This interactive discussion invites the audience to challenge assumptions, confront systemic barriers, and explore concrete ways to build democracies where young people are not only represented — but genuinely empowered to shape the decisions that define their lives.

Young contributors

Luca N. Roettgens – President & Alessio Paccioti (CNEL)
Jérémie Pascal (Europe in Action) – to confirm
Julien Lemmer-Veloso – Vice-President vum Jugendparlament
Elisabeth – Young Ambassador for UNICEF Luxembourg

Moderation

Issao Debout (Europe in Action) – to confirm
Elodie Cai (Independent)

Simultaneous translation
Provided by SIMI (ASTI) – Reservation required !!!
Luxembourgish → English & French
English → French
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DESCRIPTION

What if democracy wasn't weakened by sharing power with young people – but strengthened by it?

Across the world, democratic systems are facing a crisis of trust, participation, and imagination. Too often, young people are asked to wait: to vote, to decide, to matter. Yet they are already living the consequences of political choices — from climate change and digital transformation to education, inequality, conflict, and mental health. How can democracy remain credible if those most affected are systematically excluded from shaping it?

This forum invites us to rethink democracy — not as a system built on isolated independence, but on relationships, interdependence, and shared responsibility across generations. The myth of the “fully independent citizen” has too often justified the exclusion of children and youth from democratic life. But participation is not something that suddenly appears in adulthood. Agency is learned through practice.

Recognising young people as legitimate political actors is not symbolic — it is a democratic necessity and a powerful antidote to authoritarianism. When young people experience that their voices matter, they develop a stronger sense of belonging, responsibility, and hope. Civic participation can reduce feelings of powerlessness and eco-anxiety while fostering long-term democratic engagement. By contrast, years of imposed silence risk breeding disengagement, distrust, and attraction to simplistic authoritarian narratives.

So how can schools, institutions, and societies move from educating for obedience to educating for agency? What would democracy look like if young people were not merely consulted, but meaningfully included in decisions that affect them?

This open conversation, led by youth voices, will explore how democratic participation, critical digital literacy, and the real exercise of rights can empower younger generations to become co-creators of our collective future. Through lived experiences, bold questions, and intergenerational dialogue, participants are invited to imagine a different democracy: more inclusive, more participatory, and more alive.

Practical information

📍 Venue
Kulturhaus Kopstal
6, Mersch Street
L-8181 Kopstal

🗣 Languages
Luxembourgish / English

🕒 Programme