International Youth Day: How Switzerland Creates Opportunities for Youth Participation

On 12 August, we celebrate International Youth Day — a great opportunity to talk about how important it is to give young people the chance to be heard, take part in public life, and help shape change today.

In Switzerland, youth participation has clear and practical forms. Young people can not only express their views, but also initiate projects, engage in dialogue with public authorities, and take part in discussions on issues that directly affect their lives.

The Lausanne Youth Council

In Lausanne, one such opportunity is the Conseil des Jeunes de Lausanne (CDJL), a youth council for young people aged 13 to 25.

Its members discuss issues that matter to young people, share ideas, engage with the city authorities, initiate and carry out their own projects.

This gives young people the opportunity to be more than just observers. They can become active participants in the life of their city — developing their own ideas, discussing them, and working to make them happen.

The Voice of Youth at Cantonal Level

At cantonal level, the Commission de jeunes du Canton de Vaud (CdJ-Vaud) provides an official platform for young people to take part in the social and political life of the canton.

The commission brings together 30 young people aged 14 to 20 from different parts of the canton. They give their views on draft laws that affect young people, make proposals to the cantonal authorities, and discuss issues that are important to their generation.

These include education, mobility, culture, social issues, and other areas that directly affect young people’s everyday lives.

Importantly, this participation is not simply about having the right to express an opinion. Young people’s initiatives can lead to further political discussion and contribute to real decisions at cantonal level.

From Having a Voice to Taking Action

The Swiss experience shows how important it is to create an environment where young people have not only the right to express their opinions, but also real opportunities and tools to turn their ideas into action.

When young people have space for dialogue, support for their ideas, and opportunities to interact with public institutions, they gradually become more than participants in individual initiatives. They become active contributors to change in their communities.

After all, young people are not just the future. They are an active part of society today — with their own ideas, perspectives, and desire to shape the world around them.

Creating opportunities for young people to get involved is therefore an important step towards building a strong, open, and responsible society.