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 "Every Voice Counts"
As the youngest members of society, young people are the most vulnerable to the future's outcome. Despite the challenges we face, our participation is vital at the national level. Young peoples voices MUST be heard when countries elect their national leaders, when governments pass laws, and when countries go to war. Every voice counts, yet how can young people be heard? Resources do exist that can serve as catalysts for youth participation.
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 National Youth Agenda
Global Youth Action Network (GYAN) revamped the National Youth Agenda in September 2004, but it is an ongoing project. Today, this project empowers young people in a new way by asking them to evaluate national policy. In fact, the 2004 Agenda works cooperatively with the United Nations World Program on Youth Toolkit. GYAN hopes that by responding to the National Youth Agenda, the organization will have a comprehensive understanding of issues affecting young people internationally. Youth from all over the world are highly encouraged to fill out and return the form. The National Youth Agenda also helps initiate dialogue among already existing youth organizations and participators who are incredibly familiar with their country's situation. To ensure that even young people without internet can access the National Youth Agenda, GYAN wants to create open forums where young people can learn more about the project and make sure their voice is heard on what they think is going on in their country. As well, school presentations and workshops are a great way to pass around hard-copy surveys to a diverse group of young people.
Online Survey
The National Youth Agenda is your opportunity to be heard at the national level! By filling out this online survey, you can let your national leaders know what you think are some of the most pressing issues in the country today. The Global Youth Action Network (GYAN) will be collecting these responses and a national conference may be organized in your country by organizations interested in providing a highly visible platform for youth to interact with political leaders on their top concerns and solutions.
Find your 'Agenda' at your country site.
National Youth Council
Many perceive the National Youth Council as the voice of Youth that is acknowledged by national governments. National Youth Councils exists in over 100 countries and are recognized by their governments. NYC is a platform for young people to become actively involved in policy making at the national level. Also, National Youth Councils serves to organize youth groups at the national level. So how can you join a national youth council or start one up? Organizations may join a national youth council, or there are different ways to create one.
Find out more! National Youth Council.
To discover national youth councils in your country.
TakingITGlobal Open Forums
The TIG Open Forum is an offline program that gathers young people from one particular country to discuss the relevant issues affecting them in their daily lives. This forum promotes freedom of speech in a safe environment, and anyone is free to join.
Find out about forums currently taking place or to submit a proposal!
Go There!
Student Organizations
Student government organizations are a powerful tool for young people in so many countries. Your national student organization(s) may be initiated by the student government group or housed by your national Education Department. In many countries student government organizations select young students to represent their organization before the national government. This form of participation is a great way to raise concern on issues for which many students in your country feel a common passion. You can contact your country's ministry of education or find out if your school has a partnership with a student government association.
Non-Governmental Organizations
Civil Society participates in decision making in a bigger way than ever, and the Youth are an incredibly key player in civil society. Non governmental organizations are a great place for youth participation to begin. There are so many topics of interest that are represented by NGOs in your country. Find the issue that you are most passionate about and you will most certainly find an organization that is working to promote policy change or further a cause. Some organizations are always looking for young people who are interested in opening a chapter at the national level.
Youth Participation in National Government
One unique but rare form of youth participation available to you may include policy level engagement in your national government. Although many national government departments and agencies seek youth input, European countries have the most effective and long term system of engaging the youth in national affairs. Speak with the Ministry of Youth in your country or a national representative who can inform you on your country's national youth policy. If you are looking for ways to engage youth in this area that is normally inaccessible to young people, check out the United Nations
Ten Steps to National Youth Policy Formulation.
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