By Edwin Reyes Tuz 

Strengthening Coordinator in
AC Alternatives and Capabilities 

Youth represent a vital and dynamic force in the contemporary world, with the population aged 15-24 totalling 1.2 billion people, approximately 16% of the global population. It is estimated that by 2030, the deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this number will increase by 7%, reaching almost 1.3 billion, according to data from the United Nations system. This demographic growth poses significant challenges, as what is not done today for young people could result in complications in later stages of life, such as unemployment, increased poverty and homelessness, among other social problems. Therefore, it is crucial to take action in favour of the rights and full participation of young people in the public space.

Alternativas y Capabilities AC (Alternativas), with 21 years of experience, has been dedicated to strengthening the civil society sector and defending a healthy and open civic space. In recent years, Alternativas has analyzed the various ways in which young people organize themselves, seeking to increase their participation as rights holders and build bridges of collaboration between youth initiatives and governments to strengthen democracy. In alliance with the National Electoral Institute (INE), Alternativas has co-coordinated the #JuventudActúaMX project at the national level for 5 years. Since 2023, the LabSocial project has been developed: Youth transforming realities in the Yucatan Peninsula region, specifically in the states of Quintana Roo, Campeche and Yucatan. Both projects are aimed at youth who have historically been discriminated against or excluded from social change, with the aim of strengthening their knowledge in advocacy and participation, supporting them in the construction of local initiatives and working with multi-stakeholder networks, providing initial financing for them to develop their ideas and plans in their communities.

This work has generated a series of lessons that we share below:

1. Cultural consistency and relevance: Projects aimed at young people must take into account their age and cultural context. At LabSocial, a Peninsular Youth Council was formed, made up of 10 young leaders from the region, who guided the direction of the project. They are responsible for providing feedback on the call for applications, selection criteria, methodology and selection of participants.

2. Organizational diversity: The ways in which young people organize themselves are diverse and often respond to specific and circumstantial needs. It is essential to promote support networks and intergenerational dialogue among human rights defenders to address public problems and create common agendas that break down barriers of adult-centrism.

3. Funding for participation: Funding is essential to implement youth advocacy plans and to multiply resources to advance human rights agendas. Funding for youth-led initiatives needs to be increased and diversified to enhance their participation in the public space.

4. Institutional recognition: Government agencies must recognize youth as strategic actors for development, facilitating communication and collaboration with this population group in decision-making. The voice and participation of young people are essential to strengthening democracy in Mexico.

5. Intersectional, gender and human rights perspectives: When we refer to young people as “youth”, we recognize the diversity of experiences and expressions that characterize the experience of youth in different sociocultural, economic and political contexts. In other words, there is no single model of youth. Therefore, integrating intersectional, gender and human rights perspectives in projects allows us to understand the environment in which each participant operates and, in turn, adapt our organizational processes to ensure that young people involved in our initiatives can exercise full participation, overcoming the barriers imposed by systemic inequality.

This intersectional approach recognizes that young people are not a homogenous group, but that each individual faces a unique combination of challenges and privileges that are determined by multiple factors, such as gender, social class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, geographic location, among others. Therefore, by considering these intersections, we can better understand the needs and realities of each participant and design more effective and equitable interventions.

The gender approach also guides us to recognize and address structural gender-based inequalities that affect young people, both in access to opportunities and participation in decision-making. This involves working to eliminate restrictive gender norms and promote gender equality in all spheres of life, thus ensuring that all young people have the same opportunities to develop and contribute to social change.

Finally, the human rights approach reminds us that all people, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation, have fundamental rights that must be respected, protected and guaranteed. This means that our interventions must be in line with the principles of dignity, equality and non-discrimination, and work to generate an enabling environment where young people can participate and exercise their rights in all aspects of their lives.

In conclusion, the work carried out so far is a collective and continuous learning process. We continue to learn and aspire to a future where all young people can fully participate in public life. Young people are the present of the country, and their active involvement is key to building a more just and sustainable society.

References:

· United Nations, 2024. https://www.un.org/es/global-issues/youth

· Reyes Tuz, E., Olaco Morales, C., Marín Hernandez, E.A., & Revilla Casaos, D. (2022). #JuventudActúaMX: Influencing public policies over a four-year period (1st ed.). Mexico City: Alternatives and Capabilities AC Mexico City: Alternatives and Capabilities AC

· Díaz, PS (2012). Debate guides: What is the youth perspective? Distrito Federal: Espolea.