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Young people today are not only the largest emerging demographic (under 25s make up almost half of the world’s population) but also the most impacted by the global challenges shaping tomorrow’s world, yet their voices remain underrepresented in politics and diplomacy. The jobs they will hold, the environment they will inherit, and the global institutions that will govern their lives are all in the midst of seismic change.
Gen-Z (those born between 1997-2012) have a powerful claim to a seat at the international table. They have grown up in an era of rapid technological change and, now, increasing economic and political uncertainty. They are highly educated, digitally savvy, and deeply aware of global issues. Critically, they will live with the long-term consequences of decisions made today. Policies on climate, technology, and international institutional architecture that are decided today will affect tomorrow’s jobs, health and security. Involving youth is not tokenistic, it is a strategic imperative for legitimate, forward-looking diplomacy. Young people bring fresh ideas, question outdated status quos, and champion issues that the ruling classes frequently overlook: by including their voices and perspectives we can make international relations more representative of the full spectrum of humanity concerns and better equipped to address intergenerational challenges with justice.
AI Revolution and the Future of Youth Employment
Advances in AI are reshaping economies worldwide. For the next generation entering the workforce, AI represents a double-edged sword: it promises new industries and efficiencies, but also threatens their jobs. The World Economic Forum projects the creation of 170 million new jobs this decade: AI will automate a similar number of roles, especially at the entry level. 40% of companies globally expect to reduce their workforce as they adopt AI to handle tasks currently performed by humans.
This trend is particularly alarming for youth who rely on entry positions as gateways to careers – a concern only underscored by ILO warnings that young workers face greater risk than older workers of losing jobs to automation. Almost half of Gen Z job seekers believe that AI has devalued their college education in the job market. They worry that algorithms render degrees and skills obsolete and fear a future where, despite their qualifications, they struggle to find meaningful work in an economy dominated by AI.
Given that it is Gen-Z which will feel the greatest impact of AI, they have a legitimate claim to be involved in policy discussions on AI and the future of work at an international level, since the impact of AI on employment is a global concern, requiring coordinated responses. Involving the youth in diplomatic efforts to agree frameworks for AI will help ensure the creation of opportunity rather than despair for the world’s future workforce. It seems that this imperative has been noted. South Korea has created a public platform to gather youth input on digital and AI policies, ensuring young voices are heard in decision-making on technology. The AI for Good Global Summit in 2024 highlighted youth involvement as key to guiding AI’s development responsibly. By bringing their perspectives to global AI governance, youth can advocate for education and upskilling programs, fair labour transitions, and ethical AI uses that protect the next generation’s right to work and thrive.
Climate Change: Youth Demands for Global Action
The climate crisis is fundamentally about the future: the worst impacts of global warming—extreme weather, sea-level rise, disrupted agriculture—will unfold over the coming decades, squarely impacting the youth of today and their children. Unsurprisingly, surveys find overwhelming anxiety and resolve among young people regarding climate change. A 2023 study found that 85% of 16-25 year olds are worried about climate change, with a majority saying climate fears influence major life decisions such as where to live or whether to have children. Two-thirds believe climate change will threaten their personal health and safety.
Crucially, young people’s climate anxiety has translated into demands for bold international action. In the same youth survey, more than 75% of respondents wanted the government to do whatever it takes to prevent the worst effects of climate change – and importantly, they want governments worldwide to collaborate on a global plan to confront the crisis. Their message is clear: “you are failing us” the existing global response is not enough. Since the weight of today’s climate inaction will fall on the shoulders of tomorrow’s youth, they must help shape the solutions.
The youth often champion ambitious measures which may be uncomfortable for older policymakers. Whilst some may be idealistic or economically unrealistic, the pressure to act should be a catalyst for more daring policy responses on accelerating the energy transition; additional international legal protections for climate refugees; or ensuring climate justice for vulnerable communities. By formally including youth representatives in climate negotiations, empowering youth-led environmental initiatives, and heeding the science-backed activism of the young, international relations can become more responsive to the urgency of the climate emergency.
There are precedents for this type of youth involvement in international climate diplomacy. In 2019, the UN convened its first Youth Climate Summit, directly integrating young delegates’ ideas into the Climate Action Summit. The UN Secretary-General appointed a special Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change in 2020 to get practical input from young experts on accelerating climate action. Youth advocacy has broadened the discussion from narrow national interests to generational justice and human rights. As the UN notes, “Young people are not only victims of climate change. They are also valuable contributors to climate action. They are agents of change”.
Countering Populist Nationalism: Shaping the Future World Order
The rise of populist nationalism in many countries poses a unique challenge to the international system from which previous generations have benefited. What replaces it will be the dubious inheritance of today’s youth. From Brexit to withdrawal from the Paris Accords, nationalism and isolationism have led countries to reject multilateral cooperation and undermine international institutions, prioritising narrow and selfish concepts of national sovereignty over the importance and efficacity of collective action. Authoritarian populists have exploited nationalist sentiments to amass power, at the expense of democratic norms and international collaboration. Unchecked, populist nationalism will usher in a fragmented world of zero-sum rivalries, making it all but impossible to coordinate in tackling future global challenges such as pandemics or climate change and increasing the risks to world peace.
Whilst the glitter of the vacuous promises of a brighter tomorrow are attractive to many, especially those who the world appears to have left behind, younger generations tend to be more open to international engagement, having grown up in a connected world. Surveys show that the youth is more internationally-oriented than older adults, holding positive views of global cooperation and multicultural exchange, rejecting divisive nationalist narratives and instead embracing universal ideals of human rights and solidarity. As noted in a Harvard policy review, “young people are demonstrating different values. A global youth-led revolution is underway,” manifested in climate marches and pro-democracy protests – including girls in India protesting against sexual violence; youth in Cameroon supporting refugees; or students in Yemen rallying for peace amid war.
Youth participation in international relations empowers a constituency that rejects xenophobia and insularity and reinforces global institutions against populist attacks by infusing them with new legitimacy and galvanising international action where older diplomats have failed. There are precedents for this level of involvement. In 2013, the United Nations hosted its first-ever Youth Assembly “takeover”, giving the floor to young speakers and helping create the successful Education 2030 initiative, leading countries and organizations to commit more funding to schooling in conflict areas. Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon often remarked that youth are “the torchbearers” of the 21st century – it will fall to them to revive multilateralism and reform institutions like the UN to better serve future generations.
If populism questions the value of global cooperation, youth activism and leadership can answer with a vision of a more inclusive, interconnected world, through ensuring young leaders and civil society activists have platforms in forums like the EU, UN, G20 and regional bodies to advocate for climate action, improved protection for the environment of human rights and greater and cross-border collaboration and hemispheric justice: involving youth is a way to future-proof international relations against regressive forces and strengthens democracy and global governance at a time when both are under strain.
Moving from Tokenism to Influence
A few ideas to move beyond tokenistic youth involvement to institutionalized youth participation in decision-making are examined below:
- Create youth delegates and advisory roles, giving youth real access and the ability to influence outcomes, not just observe.
Since 1981, dozens of nations have appointed youth delegates to speak on behalf of young people’s interests at the UN. This practice should be expanded and emulated in other international organizations. Similarly, major bodies like the G7, WTO, WHO, European Union, and G20 should establish permanent youth advisory boards. These boards would consult with policymakers, propose initiatives, and ensure that youth perspectives are integrated into policy drafts. Such an approach would give youth a direct line to decision-makers, allowing them to shape agendas on issues that matter to their generation.
- Lower barriers to entry and place a genuine value on youth expertise.
International institutions must actively combat age-based barriers to lower age limits for participating in diplomatic training programs, create more internships, and boost foreign service recruitment, so that talented young professionals can rise faster. International institutions must encourage a shift in mindset to treat youth delegates as equal partners. This would place youth need at the centre of global councils and treat their input as valuable, not merely tokenistic. Youth-envoy positions should be backed up with the mandate and resources to deliver change giving them votes, leadership roles, and authority over youth-focused programs, not merely rally youth around agendas set by others.
- Youth networks and exchanges.
International relations can nurture youth involvement through educational and cultural exchanges. Model United Nations programs, international youth summits (like the Y20 alongside the G20), and student exchange schemes develop young people’s diplomatic skills and global outlook. These create pipelines of informed youth ready to engage. Likewise, supporting youth-led NGOs and coalitions allows young activists to coordinate transnationally and interface with institutions. Diplomatic missions could also sponsor youth forums before major summits, where young people draft recommendations to present to leaders. Youth representatives should attend and participate in bilateral strategic dialogues and be involved in official diplomatic and commercial exchanges.
- Digital participation platforms.
Governments and international bodies should leverage technology to crowdsource youth opinions on global issues. The South Korean government’s online platform for youth feedback on digital policy is a good example of this concept in operation. Global issues forums could similarly solicit ideas from young people worldwide via online consultations to dramatically broaden the number of youth voices involved in offering advice on global issues and ensuring youth from remote or marginalized communities have a voice.
- Mentorship and capacity building.
Established diplomats should mentor young delegates and activists in navigating international systems. Initiatives like UN fellowship programs for youth, or pairing youth observers with senior negotiators during conferences, are effective means to transfer knowledge and demystify processes. This approach would also enable countries and institutions to invest in the skills of the youth – from language training to understanding protocol and negotiation techniques – an investment in the future cadre of global leaders.
Conclusion
The youth should be systematically included in diplomatic processes. Integrating youth thinking into international relations is about injecting hope, energy, and accountability into global affairs and creating a partnership across generations which will ensure that today’s policies are future-proofed and generationally equitable.
By involving the youth in policy development, the international community can incorporate ideas from a generation fluent in new technologies to deliver more innovative, future-proof policy initiatives. Consistently including the youth voice in IR will also ensure increased legitimacy and buy-in whilst helping address the frustration and disenfranchisement of youth, since young citizens who are actively involved in influencing and guiding their own future and global outcomes are more inclined to work within the system to improve it.
Involving youth in the development of international relations is a practical necessity in today’s fast-changing world. Young people are on the frontline of global change with the most tomorrows to lose from poor decisions taken today and therefore the most to gain from setting a better course. Their proactive challenge to the status quo, new ways of thinking and alternative approaches will help policy makers make better considered decisions. The challenge for today’s leaders is how best to listen and open the doors of power to the energy and optimism of the future.
About the Author
Thomas Reilly was the British Ambassador to Morocco from June 2017 to August 2020. He was also Her Majesty’s non-resident Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania from June 2017 until May 2018, when the first ever resident Ambassador to Mauritania was appointed. Be sure to follow his work here.