Launch of Ungdommens demokratibarometer – the Youth Democracy Barometer
On October 5, the Youth Democracy Barometer was launched at a public event held at Valby Kulturhus. The Youth Democracy Barometer is a comprehensive study of young people’s relationship with democracy and the diverse ways in which they engage in society. Conducted by Epinion for Ungdomsbureauet, with support from Honoré Fonden, the project aims to generate new, practice-oriented knowledge about young people’s democratic attitudes and participation while also establishing a foundation for monitoring developments over time.
A total of 2,182 young people aged 15-30 participated in the survey, which explored six dimensions of democratic engagement:
- Democratic engagement in practice
- Influence and agency
- Respect within communities
- Representation
- Spaces for expression
- Opportunities for participation
Interest in the launch exceeded expectations, prompting Ungdomsbureauet to move the e
vent to the larger assembly hall at Valby Kulturhus. Even then, the venue was filledto capacity. The audience was highly motivated and inspiring, bringing together representatives from civil society organizations, educational institutions, research environments, political actors, and, importantly, large numbers of young people who participated both as attendees and as moderators and speakers on stage.
The event concluded with collaborative workshops in which participants developedmanifestos focused on ensuring that all young people are included and on identifying new pathways not merely for involvement, but for meaningful influence and genuin
e opportunities to make a difference.
One of the study’s most significant findings is that the vast majority of young people are, in fact, engaged in some kind of democratic and societal activities. Moreover, many would like to contribute even more, particularly if we broaden our understanding of what constitutes democratic participation and create structures that offer genuine influence and tangible opportunities for impact.
A major reason why I am particularly pleased that this study has been conducted, and especially encouraged by its focus and findings, is its potential to shift both public discourse and institutional practices. In doing so, it offers a real opportunity to strengthen democratic participation among young people. Equally important is the fact that the study addresses precisely the issues that lie at the heart of my own research: young people’s competencies, motivations, and interest in democratic participation and in creating positive change. Its findings will therefore be highly relevant not only to my own work but also to the work of many others in the field.
In presenting the study, Ungdomsbureauet poses two important questions: How does young people’s democratic engagement manifest itself when we broaden our perspective and understanding? And what factors constrain it? And the introduction continues: “The Barometer is founded on a simple observation: while we know a great deal about young people who participate in established democratic institutions and structures, we know considerably less about those who engage in other ways through everyday life, social relationships, cultural activities, digital communities, and local action. In other words, the study directs attention to the broader and more diverse forms of democratic engagement that often remain overlooked”. Very important notions 🙂