Youth are more inclined to
participate in informal processes than in formal political and electoral ones.
Activism, protests, and campaigns are common avenues; youth are often driving
forces behind reform movements. In the current world and throughout history,
there are many examples of powerful youth-led protest movements. Youth also
tend to get involved in civic, service-oriented activities, such as
volunteering for a social cause. Many young people are more inclined to join a
tree-planting project, for example, than to join a political party talking
about planting trees in the future.
Both formal and informal engagement
can be understood as political participation. Both can be beneficial for a
vivid and resilient democracy. In some cases, it is important to help bridge
gaps between the two.
