Brochure: Political Youth Organisations: Strengthening the Voice of Youth in Politics - The Finnish Experience

Brochure: Political Youth Organisations: Strengthening the Voice of Youth in Politics - The Finnish Experience (Opens New Window) (PDF, 32 pages, 2,44 Mt)

Political youth and student organisations are a significant part of the Finnish political system. They have their own role to play in implementing democracy. They provide important support for their mother parties, but at the same time they may challenge their mother parties and make their own policy initiatives. Political youth and student organisations are an ideal breeding ground for future decision-makers in that they provide opportunities for training, debates, joint policy making and advocacy. They serve as schools for democratic participation and advocate the interests of the young.

This booklet, a co-operative publication by Political Parties of Finland for Democracy (Demo Finland) and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, describes the Finnish experience of political youth and student organisations. It sheds light on what they are for, how they are formed and financed, and what means they employ to make their voices heard. The booklet hopes to serve as a tool for those who might benefit from the experiences of Finnish political youth and student organisations.