Youth citizenship

Young people are key agents for social change and economic development, yet are often excluded from full and effective participation in society.

As citizens, young people should be supported to enact their basic rights and responsibilities, as enshrined in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and 1989’s Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Young people have a key role to play in decision-making that affects their lives and local, national and international social, economic and political development. A commitment to participation as a basic human right lies at the heart of youth citizenship, which seeks to empower young people with the skills, knowledge and confidence to take charge of their lives and be active, responsible citizens.

Y Care International supports work to raise young people’s awareness of their civic rights and responsibilities. We seek to empower young people to increase their levels of participation in local and national government structures to influence public policy matters; and to strengthen youth-led civil society organisations through encouraging greater collaboration and developing leadership capacity within youth movements.