Empowering Youth Voices: Unveiling the Absence in Global Financial Dialogues
By: Almeera Khalid, Angela Bain, Selvalakshmi Rabindranath Tagore, Sabrina Price, Chloé Duguay
Introduction:
In October 2023, six representatives from the Young Diplomats of Canada attended the 2023 World Bank Group (WB) - International Monetary Funds (IMF) Annual Meetings in Marrakech, Morocco. These meetings bring together central bankers, ministers of finance and development, private sector executives, civil society, media, and academics to discuss issues of global concern, such as global financial stability, poverty eradication, inclusive economic growth, job creation, climate change, and others. Each delegate brought with them years of lived and professional experience – many working and studying across Canada in policy, government, and economic fields. One important objective for this group included advocating for youth representation in international finance spaces and at multilateral fora.
Importance of youth engagement
Young people make up the world’s largest age demographic, with over 33% of the current population under the age of 20, and over 63% under the age of 40 (United Nations, n.d.). Their meaningful input in policy making contributes to the effectiveness and legitimacy of global governance. Yet, despite widespread advocacy for youth engagement in international structures, there was a noticeable lack of youth attendees at the WB-IMF conference. In fact, there were only two youth organizations present: delegations from Australia and Canada. Which not only raises significant concerns about the inclusivity and representation of diverse youth perspectives in these crucial forums but raises red flags on who is invited to these spaces. International organizations are beginning to acknowledge the potential of youth as we emerge into a future shaped by globalization; however, high-level meetings must go further to meaningfully involve youth.
Despite the youth-driven nature of international advocacy, the WB-IMF Annual Meeting discussions largely excluded young voices. In a roundtable session with the World Bank Executives, one of the Australian youth delegates raised a point of the lack of young people in the room--he asked all young people to raise their hands, and out of over 100 people in the room there were just 5 hands raised. The challenge of involving young people was further exposed during discussions with speakers acknowledging their uncertainty about how to effectively engage youth, particularly considering diverse geographical landscapes.
In a civil society town hall featuring IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, 13-year-old Kenyan youth climate activist Ellaynne Chylstun-Githae fearlessly confronted the room, questioning why more young voices, especially from the Global South, were not invited to contribute. She emphasized that African youth, like herself, are uniquely positioned to discuss the impacts of underdevelopment and ecological degradation. Challenging the outdated notion that young people cannot make meaningful contributions, her bold stance sparks a vital conversation on redefining genuine youth engagement in international forums.
To give an example of how youth can be meaningfully engaged, climate financing dominated discussions at the conference, yet the crucial perspective of youth, who actively advocate for climate reforms and drive global attention to the issue, was noticeably absent. Recognizing the urgency of climate change, it is imperative to include youth in these discussions, especially given their engagement and prioritization of climate-related issues. Despite having the tools for concrete action, the IMF, influenced by powerful OECD nations, must address severe divergences between nations and take meaningful steps to resolve the global climate crisis.
Institutions must be careful to understand the difference between representation and tokenization. While it was an honour and privilege to be some of the only young people in attendance at these meetings, the stark reality of being one of the few was difficult to accept.
Unfortunately, there is a linear understanding of ‘experience’ and what qualifies you to be in the room--it does not account for the lived experiences young people bring. The reality is that certain decision-making and leadership spaces were not designed to hold space for youth and involve them as meaningful agents. We’re seeing a shift in institutions and youth challenging narratives around merely being invited to certain spaces. We need to go beyond appearances and advocate that when young people are invited, they are invited as agents of change, and that they are equal in decision-making and influence like other attendees.
Including youth leaders in powerful spaces like the IMF and WBG Annual Meetings ensures that the perspectives and concerns of a large population are adequately represented. Not only does it ensure inclusivity, but it helps avoid overlooking issues that significantly impact the youth population. Though there was discussion about the vital role of youth empowerment in creating an equitable future for all, and some presence of youth groups on the ground, we were left wondering what steps will these institutions follow to take action on their words.
Conclusion
Although there have been recent investments in youth leadership within international structures, the mainstreaming of meaningful adolescent and youth engagement must be accelerated to unlock the youth potential needed to address pressing international challenges. Young people are ready to take action to ensure an equitable, inclusive and efficient future, and including youth perspectives in powerful spaces such as the IMF and WBG Annual Meetings ensures that the perspectives and concerns of a large population are adequately represented. Not only does it ensure inclusivity, but it helps avoid overlooking issues that significantly impact the youth population. Meaningful change requires a shift in institutions and challenging narratives around how youth are involved in certain spaces. Institutions need to go beyond appearances and ensure that young people are invited, as agents of change, and that their voices will have an impact and influence equal to other attendees. We have hope that young people can be invited into spaces of power to meaningfully contribute. We have further hope for diverse youth to have access into these spaces and are appreciated for their contributions.
Citations
United Nations (n.d.). World population prospects - population division. Retrieved from https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/ Standard/Population/
World Bank (2023). Marrakech 2023. Retrieved from https://www.imf.org/en/News/Seminars/Campaigns/2023/Marrakech2023