Promoting a democracy movement among young people in Europe

The basic idea of the project is that democracy needs to be modernized and strengthened at a time when the values of open society are questioned and when false news and conspiracy theories flourish.

The International Youth Think Tank wants to contribute to the renewal of democracy by commissioning young people to produce democracy-promoting decision-making in dialogue with researchers and those in power in business, politics and civil society.

Democracy and sustainable economic development benefit when people have faith in the future, good knowledge and can think critically. When society is built on science and proven experience, active citizens, the rule of law, a vital cultural life and independent media, democracy, growth and diversity are promoted. Populism and nationalism question these values and sow the seeds of mistrust.

Young people in Europe grew up in an open society and affirm a multifaceted world where they can live by their values and realize their dreams. With an innovative form of activity that borrows features from both think tanks and international youth conferences, the goal of the International Youth Think Tank is to promote a creative democracy movement among young people.

The Think Tank brings young people together and allows them to meet those in power from business, academia, the cultural sector, politics and civil society. One idea is to convey the young people’s ideas and perspectives to those in power to promote their ability to contribute to the shaping of the future where they themselves can become active as leaders. Another idea is to be a driving force that inspires and supports young people to become democracy entrepreneurs.

The core activities of the Think Tank are annual international youth conferences that recruit 18–24-year-old participants through open calls. The task of the conferences is to distinguish challenges for the open democratic society and develop concrete proposals to deal with the challenges.

Conference participants are welcome to remain active in the Think Tanks as Youth Fellows. After the conferences, they develop the proposals in the “IYTT Bottom-Up Policy Advice Loop”. Knowledge and ideas are gathered in open dialogue with decision-makers, researchers, the Think Tank’s own barometer European Youth Panel and the general public. The decision proposals are published as Policy Briefs and presented to those in power and in democracy networks, among other things within the framework of the Think Tank’s public lunch event Lindholmen Democracy Talks.