Italian Scouts Speak Up at the Heart of the European Democracy

While European youth are essential to our society, their political representation often falls short of reflecting their numbers and concerns. Even though one in five Europeans is between 18 and 35, only 6% of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are in this age range. In contrast, 42% of MEPs are 51 to 65 years old, although one in five Europeans fall into this demographic. These gaps highlight the importance of bridging the gap between young people's aspirations and political representation.

 

An Italian Scout group (ages 16-19) called Compagnia Politeia sought to fill this gap by amplifying youth voices. After participating in the SpeakUp project, they presented a manifesto to Daniella Rondinelli, a Member of the European Parliament, highlighting their participants’ key concerns. Born out of extensive consultation with over one thousand Rovers, this manifesto encapsulates four crucial youth development themes: environment, school, training and future, inclusive society, and psychological and relational well-being.

A manifesto for youth, with youth, by youth

The genesis of this initiative traces back to the Italian Scouts Association, CNGEI, pondering the essential areas for youth preparation in 2022. Following participation in the WOSM European Agora and meticulous planning sessions, the groundwork for the SpeakUp initiative was laid. Fast forward to the WOSM European Agora 2023, where the project gained momentum as participants converged to define its content and timeline.

 

“The choice was to involve all the rovers in co-writing the manifesto rather than selecting ambassadors since we believed it was more democratic and could reach as many people as possible with an empowerment action. We were also very interested in democratic discussion in small and medium groups and developing the natural positive leadership required to carry on a peaceful community discussion.” shares Margherita Zanardo, National Commissioner of the CNGEI rover branch.

 

The SpeakUp Manifesto was developed during the Estate Rover Nazionale 2023, a three-day event attended by over 1,300 Rovers in Soriano del Cimino. Rovers engaged in co-writing the manifesto, eschewing hierarchical structures for democratic participation. The resulting structure revolves around four themes, each with six objectives and requisite skills. The participants identified four themes: environment, school, training and future, inclusive society, and psychological and relational well-being. These themes are the foundation of Rovers' approach to creating a more equitable and sustainable future. The objectives, in turn, provide the framework for Rovers to develop strategies, tools, and programs to achieve its goals.

The manifesto's dissemination extended beyond the Scout community with a presentation to the European Parliament. In addition to deepening their understanding of youth issues, this initiative fostered dialogue on democratic structures and participation in European institutions.

 

With the Agorà event just around the corner, the Compagnia Politeia Rovers will continue their advocacy, nurturing youth leadership and participation. To ensure that the manifesto remains a potent tool for youth empowerment, plans are underway to revisit and refine its contents. Taking part in initiatives like SpeakUp allows European youth to play a crucial role in shaping their future and society rather than just watching from the sidelines.