Centre for Youth Policy

Rhetoric Or Response: Has Jordan Truly Constitutionalized Youth Voices?

Standing at a fork in a road with nearly 60% of its population under the age of 30, the integration of young voices into the political process is not merely a matter of demographic representation for Jordan but a strategic imperative for national stability and future development. Therefore, at a surface level, the nation's response with reform; entailing the implementation of youth quotas in parliament, lowered the candidacy age, and introduction of pro-youth legal frameworks should receive appraisal. However, beneath this progressive rhetoric lies a complex reality shaped by deep-rooted structural challenges, economic pressures, and social attitudes that raise important questions: Do these reforms genuinely empower young Jordanians, or are they largely symbolic gestures designed to maintain the status quo?

CYP's Youth Policy Review Series - Finding the Lost Generation : South Africa's NYP

Throughout South Africa’s history, young people have been central to the country’s struggles and transformations. Their courage and sacrifice marked a turning point in the liberation movement, demonstrating the power of youth as agents of change. In the democratic era, however, new challenges have emerged - mass unemployment, inequality, poor access to education, and social exclusion continue to undermine the promise of freedom for many young South Africans. To confront these persistent realities, the government introduced the National Youth Policy 2020–2030 (NYP 2030), a decade-long strategy aimed at empowering young people to lead the nation’s next phase of growth and transformation. When such a large stride has been taken by a government, how do we assess the success of such a policy? Is it in its progressive thought, or its effective change? We aim to answer this by analysing the NYP.

CYP's Youth Policy Review Series ― Portugal

Rather than a final solution, Portugal's right to disconnect law functions as a vital but insufficient first step toward a future of work that prioritizes youth mental health. It's true long-term implication is its potential to catalyze a broader EU-wide directive that mandates not just the right to disconnect, but also the cultural and managerial reforms necessary to prevent digital overwork and build a sustainable work-life model for the next generation. Portugal’s right to disconnect, codified in Law No. 83/2021, is a landmark but preliminary measure, aiming to address youth mental health and pave the way for a sustainable work-life balance across the EU. This paper critically reviews the legislative framework, implementation practices, and broader policy ramifications, highlighting the law's strengths and shortcomings. The analysis underscores the need for future EU-wide directives that similarly mandate cultural and managerial reforms to prevent digital overwork and promote sustainable employment for the next generation.

CYP'S Youth Policy Review Series - New Zealand’s Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy: Bold Vision, Brittle Delivery

New Zealand is often praised as one of the world’s most progressive and liveable nations. Its international reputation is built on low corruption, political stability, and a high quality of life. To outsiders, it can seem like a near-perfect place to grow up. Yet in 2019, the government acknowledged that this image did not reflect the lived reality of many young people. With ~1.1 million children and youth under 18, the largest youth generation in the country’s history, New Zealand faced uncomfortable truths: stubborn child poverty rates, some of the highest youth suicide rates in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and systemic inequities affecting Māori and Pasifika youth.

Kathmandu Ablaze: Nepal’s Youth Ignite Regime Change

Nusantara Ablaze: Indonesia’s Youth Ignite Parliament Crisis

The Silent Majority: Why India’s Youth Struggle to Enter Politics

India is the world’s youngest democracy but one of the oldest in leadership, with only 11% of MPs under 40. The Draft National Youth Policy (2024) treats youth largely as “human capital” for the labour market, sidelining their political agency. Barriers like high candidacy ages, campus restrictions, dynastic politics, and financial costs keep young people out of decision-making. Unlike global examples that integrate youth into governance, India’s approach remains tokenistic. A genuine youth policy must view young people not just as workers but as citizens with the right to govern.

Investing in Tomorrow: How Financial Education Shapes the New Generation

Financial illiteracy is a pervasive and cost-inducing problem plaguing our economies and personal lives. The financial landscape for the new generation is fraught with complexity, making comprehensive financial education an urgent necessity. Youth today grapple with significant student loan burdens, rising cost of living, and often, a surprising lack of fundamental financial literacy with multiple studies consistently attesting to the low financial awareness, contributing to poor financial decisions and escalating debt. Equipping individuals with adequate financial knowledge directly translates into healthier financial behaviours, improved credit scores, and enhanced long-term economic stability. This empowerment extends beyond the individual, fostering intergenerational financial well-being and contributes to building the nation’s economy. Despite its clear benefits, barriers persist, including inadequate curriculum integration in schools, limited access for disadvantaged communities, and a general lack of perceived urgency. Overcoming these requires a multi-faceted approach involving governmental initiatives, educational reforms, and industry collaboration to deliver accessible, relevant, and engaging financial literacy programs. This piece contends that investing in financial education for the new generation is not merely an individual benefit; it's a strategic investment in national economic resilience and the foundational stability of future households.

Canvassing for Youth in the Era of Digital Politics

The Pact for the Future: Has the UN Finally Made Room for Youth?

For decades, youth participation in global governance has been limited to symbolic gestures. Previous initiatives include the ‘UN Youth Delegate Program’ and the appointment of a ‘UN Youth Envoy’; while appearing progressive at a surface level, these policies rarely translated into actual policy-making influence as the youth demographic was often consulted through forums and surveys but ultimately excluded from decision-making bodies. However, the “Pact for the Future” represents a greater effort to go beyond including youth in data and statistics going into decision making by truly embedding them in the core machinery of governments around the world, signalling a paradigm shift from boilerplate engagement to real inclusion.