Cross-cutting issueEngaging youth is key to good water governance

Fundamentally, we all have a right to influence our own destiny and take part in decisions that affect us. This right is well recognized, but when it comes to youth participation, it is far from well implemented and stronger efforts are needed to fulfil it.

Many countries around the world have young populations who are still being left out of decision-making processes that impact their lives. We often talk about youth as being the future, but they are also here right now, with important insights and experiences. For water governance to be effective, these perspectives must be present at the decision-making table.

Youth empowerment is one of SIWI’s cross-cutting issues and a guiding principle for all our work. There is a growing global movement of young water advocates who make invaluable contributions as activists, researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs, for example, but who often do not get the respect and attention they deserve. SIWI tries to change this by tirelessly calling for more youth participation in international processes and by constantly reminding decision-makers about the benefits of including young people in decision-making.

SIWI staff are given training on how to ensure that young people’s voices and perspectives are included in our projects and programmes. This can involve ensuring that young people are invited to delegations, consultations, and decision processes; it can mean providing capacity-building and mentorships; and it is an obligation to always review and monitor projects based on the consequences for young people.

An important part of SIWI’s work is to provide opportunities for young people to be heard. This inclusion is built into projects and activities, and reflected in decisions about who we collaborate with. We also prioritize topics and activities that focus on young people, for example strengthening access to water and sanitation in schools. When implementing a project, project managers use a checklist to make sure that they follow best practice for youth inclusion.

While capacity-building among youth is a strong first step, it must be part of a longer process. Activities claiming to empower youth cannot be a one-way passage of information to youth but rather a diplomatic and empowering two-way flow of perspectives and information. The inclusion of youth must be part of an investment throughout the entire process. If, for example, young voices are invited to deliver a statement at a high-level meeting, they should also be part of the decision–making process regarding the content of the meeting and in reflections around the outcome.