Every year on June 30, the world marks the International Day of Parliamentarism, a global observance established by the United Nations in 2018 to recognize the critical role parliaments play in promoting democracy, accountability, transparency and good governance. The day coincides with the anniversary of the founding of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in 1889, the world’s oldest multilateral political organization. (United Nations)
Beyond celebrating democratic institutions, political scientists and governance experts say the occasion serves as a reminder that effective parliaments must reflect the diversity of the societies they represent. One of the most pressing issues facing legislatures across the world is the underrepresentation of young people, despite their growing influence in shaping economies, technology, innovation and public policy.
According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, more than half of the world’s population is under the age of 30, yet only about 2.8 percent of Members of Parliament globally are aged 30 or younger. Although approximately 19.1 percent of MPs are under the age of 40, the figures remain far below the demographic reality in many countries, raising concerns about intergenerational representation in democratic governance. (Inter-Parliamentary Union)
Political scientists argue that democracy functions best when all segments of society participate in decision-making.
Professor Pippa Norris, a renowned political scientist specializing in democratic governance, has consistently argued that representative institutions become more legitimate and effective when they mirror the diversity of the populations they serve. According to this school of thought, excluding young people from legislative processes weakens democratic legitimacy and reduces citizens’ confidence in public institutions.
Similarly, governance scholars note that youthful lawmakers often introduce perspectives shaped by contemporary realities such as digital transformation, climate change, unemployment, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, entrepreneurship and social inclusion.
Political analysts explain that today’s youth understand emerging societal challenges differently because they have grown up in an era dominated by technology, globalization and rapidly changing labour markets. Consequently, their participation in parliament can improve the quality of debates on issues directly affecting younger generations.
Technocrats also believe that greater youth representation strengthens evidence-based policymaking.
Public administration experts argue that younger legislators are generally more open to innovation, digital governance, data-driven decision-making and institutional reforms that improve government efficiency.
According to governance practitioners, countries seeking economic transformation require legislatures capable of responding quickly to technological disruptions, changing labour markets and new economic opportunities.
They contend that younger parliamentarians often champion policies supporting innovation ecosystems, startup financing, digital education, renewable energy, technology hubs and modern public service delivery.
International experience supports this argument.
Countries such as Finland, New Zealand and several Nordic democracies have consistently encouraged greater youth participation in politics, resulting in legislative agendas that pay significant attention to education reform, digital governance, environmental sustainability and youth employment.
In Africa, several countries have also introduced youth parliamentary caucuses, mentorship programmes and legislative reforms aimed at increasing youth participation in governance.
The IPU has identified several practical measures that can increase youth representation in parliament. These include reducing the minimum age required to contest elections, aligning eligibility age with voting age, creating youth quotas where appropriate, establishing mentorship programmes between experienced and emerging politicians, strengthening youth wings within political parties and reducing financial barriers that discourage young candidates from seeking elective office. (Inter-Parliamentary Union)
Political scientists maintain that youth inclusion should not be viewed as replacing experienced lawmakers but as creating balanced legislatures where experience and innovation complement one another.
Experienced legislators provide institutional memory, legislative expertise and political negotiation skills, while younger representatives contribute fresh ideas, technological literacy and closer engagement with rapidly evolving social issues.
Experts further argue that such collaboration produces stronger legislation capable of addressing both current and future challenges.
For countries like Nigeria, where more than 70 percent of the population is under the age of 35, governance experts say expanding opportunities for young people in parliament is not merely desirable but essential for sustainable development.
Nigeria’s “Not Too Young To Run” reforms marked an important step in lowering constitutional barriers to political participation, but analysts argue that financial constraints, party structures and limited access to political opportunities continue to restrict meaningful youth representation.
Governance specialists recommend stronger political party reforms, leadership development programmes, civic education and transparent candidate selection processes to enable competent young leaders to emerge.
They also emphasize that youth participation should focus on merit, competence, integrity and leadership capacity rather than age alone.
As the world commemorates the International Day of Parliamentarism, experts agree that stronger democracies require parliaments that truly reflect the people they serve.
Giving qualified young people greater opportunities to participate in legislative processes is increasingly seen not as a symbolic gesture, but as a strategic investment in democratic resilience, economic development and responsive governance.
The future of democracy, political scientists conclude, depends on institutions that are inclusive, representative and capable of harnessing the energy, innovation and ideas of every generation. (Inter-Parliamentary Union)
