Youth Inclusion in Governance Highlighted During P20 Deliberations

In his presentation on youth-orientated institutions, Dr Frank Lekaba of the Wits School of Governance outlined ways to strengthen young people’s participation in decision-making bodies.

He said the divide between the Global North and Global South is diminishing in the face of shared challenges. “We were all affected similarly by COVID-19, and whether from the Global North or South, we continue to face migration, terrorism, and issues of peace and security,” he explained.

Dr Lekaba emphasised the need for renewed multilateralism based on a rules-driven order and linked to efforts to democratise the United Nations system, particularly the UN Security Council. “This multilateralism reflects the fact that we are coalescing around the Sustainable Development Goals, the African Union Agenda 2063 and the UN Youth 2030 Agenda,” he said.

On structural reforms to make institutions more responsive to young people’s needs, he suggested that G20 member states consider how best to fast-track the UN Youth 2030 Agenda within their policy and legislative frameworks. He referred to a UN report, which showed youth-related initiatives have increased across countries. The report shows that countries and UN entities have increased these initiatives aimed at increasing the number of young people from 45% in 2021 to 56% in 2024. However, “the system-wide milestone of achieving 80% of key performance areas was not met,” he said.

Dr Lekaba also called for the UN Youth Office to be strengthened and incorporated into the UN Reform Agenda as one of the organisation’s main organs, and for similar offices to be established in regional and multilateral organisations such as the AU and SADC to ensure harmonised implementation. He also recalled UN Resolution 2250 of 2015, which urges member states to increase inclusive representation of youth at all levels of decision-making.

While highlighting the need for young people to coalesce as a unified voice in multilateral formations, Mr Lekaba urged young people to form transnational democratic initiatives to unite around shared interests and lived experiences.

On the issue of youth quotas, he said approaches would differ across political systems. In South Africa, Parliament could consider legislation empowering the Electoral Commission to require political parties to include youth quotas on their election lists, with such measures applying to all national, provincial and both Houses of Parliament. He said that universities, think tanks and civil society are well-placed to shape youth-orientated policy frameworks and cited examples of courses on governance, legislation and public participation.

On enhancing youth access to finance, education, healthcare, and employment, he stressed the importance of aligning internships with labour market needs. “There must be a direct link between the completion of internships and employment opportunities,” he said. Young parliamentarians have an opportunity to influence the Pact for the Future by demanding greater representation in the UN and multilateral structures and by advocating youth-orientated policies at all levels with a global outlook, he said.

Abel Mputing
30 September 2025