Engaging young people in democracy

This past Sunday, September 15th, marked Democracy Day—an international day designated by the United Nations General Assembly to observe, promote, and uphold the principles of democracy.

In alignment with The U.S. Democracy Day collaborative, Generocity launched its observation on September 4th with the feature “Disillusioned, but not defeated: What young adults are looking for.” The piece offered insights from college students and young adults on democracy, voting, and the importance of upholding democratic principles.

To compliment this piece, Generocity hosted a social media series, spotlighting quotes and interviews from students across the region.

What emerged across these discussions was a clear sense that many young adults feel disconnected from this election and its candidates, believing their voices, needs, and wants for change are being overlooked.

As we reflect on Democracy Day and the perspectives of youth, it’s evident that the 2024 election represents a critical moment in our nation’s history. The concerns of young adults about feeling unheard and underrepresented echo nationwide, underscoring the election’s potential to reshape the future of our democracy and our future leaders.

In a compelling piece, “As civic knowledge declines, programs work to engage young people in democracy,” Carnegie-Knight News21 starkly highlights the need for civic engagement. The article notes:

“The debate over Gen Z’s engagement levels comes at a time when civics knowledge among Americans as a whole has plunged to new lows: A 2023 survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center found 66% of respondents could name all three branches of government, but 17% could not name any. And just 5% of respondents could name all five freedoms covered by the First Amendment.”

Organizations in Philadelphia, such as PA Youth Vote—“a nonpartisan collaboration of youth, educators, and organizations working to elevate youth voices, improve public school civics education, and empower youth as civic actors”—are striving to bridge the gap by educating young adults and empowering them to use their voices beyond the vote.

To explore more about national efforts to engage youth in democracy, read Carnegie-Knight News21’s article, “As civic knowledge declines, programs work to engage young people in democracy.”