Young People’s Voice and Power in Democracy: Supporting Through Action

This chapter introduces the relationship between voice, power, and action for young people in contemporary democracies. It draws on research with young people taking action on climate change in order to explore these concepts. Young people around the world are expressing frustration at opportunities to participate in democracy that give them a voice but little or no effective power. The current wave of direct action and participation in democracy, including protest actions like the worldwide school strikes for action on climate change and the prominence of young people as they raise voices for change around the world, presents an opportunity for others to act in young people’s support. The chapter offers a conceptual model for those who wish to support young people to have an effective voice in democracy. The model is called the PASS model, comprising Positions, Allies, Solidarities, and Spaces. The PASS model is described, and the entry reflects on ways that young people can be supported in democracy.