We Deserve a Say And It Starts Now

Democracy is made of two words: Demos which means the people and Kratos which means the power. At its heart, democracy is about people having the power to shape their own future. But how often do we, as young people, feel like that power truly belongs to us?

Not long ago, I found myself reflecting on how little I really knew about political participation. I’ve always cared about change, spoken up for what I believe in, and wanted to make a difference in my community, but I didn’t quite understand how this connects to governance, democracy, and formal political structures. That gap in understanding became clear when I stumbled upon discussions about policies and youth inclusion, and realised I was more of an observer than a participant.

That changed when I attended the Youth Political Participation Workshop by the Movers Programme. Hearing about how only 1.84% of parliamentarians in Asia are under 30, despite over 1.1 billion youth in the region, was both shocking and eye opening. I realised that we are not just underrepresented, we are often ignored, sidelined, or silenced in spaces that shape our future. This realization hit hard, and I knew I couldn’t stay on the sidelines anymore.

So I took the step to engage. I joined the workshop not just to listen but to learn, question, and grow. I came to understand the difference between being informed, consulted, and actually having power in decision-making. The “Ladder of Participation” taught me that youth involvement is not just about being present, it’s about having control, partnership, and real influence in governance. And most importantly, I learned that political participation isn’t only about voting or joining parties, but also about activism, citizen journalism, and using social media as a tool for advocacy.

Moving forward, I am motivated to seek more knowledge, join conversations that matter, and bring others along this journey. I aim to conduct Movers Workshops in my community and help young people recognise that they are not too young, too inexperienced, or too idealistic, we are the now, and the future.

In conclusion, this workshop reminded me that youth political participation is a right, not a favor. It’s a space we deserve to own, through awareness, advocacy, and action. The journey begins with understanding, but it only becomes meaningful when we act on that understanding.