In this interview, we speak to Urban Strandberg, a professor of political science at the University of Gothenburg, and director of the International Youth Think Tank (IYTT). The IYTT focuses on empowering youth aged 18 to 24 to drive positive global change, particularly emphasizing democracy and openness.
Can you tell us something about yourself and your organization?
My name is Urban Strandberg and I am a professor of political science and director and co-founder of the International Youth Think Thank (IYTT). The IYTT, established in 2019, is dedicated to empowering youth aged 18 to 24 to work towards positive change in the world. With a focus on democracy and openness, the organization's primary objectives are twofold. Firstly, we aim to equip young individuals with the skills and knowledge to develop actionable proposals that inspire policymakers to shape a better future. Secondly, we strive to encourage civic engagement among young people, creating a sense of agency and participation in political processes.
Each year, the IYTT selects 24 young individuals from a diverse range of countries to participate in a four-week conference. This conference serves as a training ground where participants learn how to formulate tangible proposals and effectively communicate their ideas to inspire others. The organization's global reach is evident from the fact that last year alone, it received applications from 540 individuals representing 68 countries.
While the headquarters of the IYTT is based in Gothenburg, Sweden, its youth fellows are dispersed across the globe. The organization's commitment to international collaboration is reflected in its approach to hosting conferences in different countries and continents, allowing participants from various backgrounds to come together and exchange ideas.
What inspired your organization to join the Speak Up project and what do you want to achieve through your participation in this project?
The IYTT was inspired to join the Speak Up project with the goal of expanding its impact on local policymaking. As most of our proposals focus on local issues, collaborating with cities and regions involved in Speak Up provides a valuable opportunity to engage with policymakers on a broader scale. By participating in Speak Up, the IYTT aims to create dialogue between citizens and policymakers, ultimately contributing to increased citizen engagement and more responsive governance. Additionally, we see our transnational nature as an advantage, allowing for diverse perspectives and experiences to be brought to the table. This inclusive approach is particularly important given the specific age group targeted by the IYTT, which may not traditionally be involved in civic engagement. Through Speak Up, the organization hopes to bridge this gap and ensure that the voices of young people are heard and valued in the policymaking process.
What are your expectations of participating in the Speak Up project?
We hope to have the opportunity to present some of our concrete proposals directly to city governments and see if they can be implemented. This direct engagement with policymakers is essential for us to enact real change and contribute to shaping the future positively. However, our participation in Speak Up is not solely about sharing our ideas with cities; it's also about learning from them.
Given that the youth fellows of the IYTT come from diverse backgrounds and contexts, meeting with city governments will provide invaluable insights into the specific challenges faced by different communities. This exchange of knowledge is a two-way street; while our youth fellows understand their personal contexts, engaging with local governments will deepen their understanding of broader democratic challenges. This reciprocal learning process will enrich both our organization and the Speak Up project as a whole.
In terms of specific proposals, one idea we are eager to pilot involves allocating resources to sports activities as a means of promoting social cohesion. Our analysis suggests that enhancing social cohesion is crucial for effective democracy, and investing in sports could serve as a way to build stronger communities. We are keen to test this proposal in Speak Up partner cities and gauge local policymakers' responses to this innovative approach.
Additionally, we are enthusiastic about another proposal aimed at increasing voter turnout in local elections. The concept involves providing a separate voting booth for children, allowing parents to involve their kids in the voting process. Not only does this encourage parental participation, but it also instills a habit of civic engagement in young people from an early age. This proposal, known as the "junior elections," reflects our commitment to nurturing a culture of democratic participation from childhood.
Regarding eligibility to join the IYTT, we have no formal requirements beyond a passion for making a difference. Our organization welcomes individuals from diverse disciplinary backgrounds, with 20% of our applicants identifying as first-generation academics. We aspire to broaden our reach further, particularly among individuals from non-academic family backgrounds. Through our participation in Speak Up, we aim to extend our outreach efforts and engage with a more diverse pool of applicants.
Overall, we see Speak Up as an opportunity not only to share our ideas but also to expand our network and reach new audiences. By collaborating with city governments and learning from their experiences, we hope to refine our proposals and contribute meaningfully to the project's objectives of promoting citizen engagement and strengthening democracy.
What is a citizen engagement initiative that your organization is proud of?
One initiative we are proud of is the method developed by our youth fellows called Open Chair Democracy Talks. It's a citizen-centric approach aimed at creating meaningful conversations in public spaces. Here's how it works: our youth fellows venture out to busy places like city squares or parks and engage with strangers in five-minute conversations. Sometimes they sit on park benches, other times they borrow chairs from nearby establishments to create a comfortable setting for dialogue.
These conversations are guided by four questions:
If I say democracy, which three words come to your mind?
Do you have a say over your life choices?
Do you have a say as a citizen?
What would it take to make you more influential?
Rather than simply asking yes or no questions, the aim is to spark meaningful discussions. Our youth fellows take notes during these conversations, focusing on the responses and insights shared by participants.
We've implemented this method in over 50 locations across five continents, documenting the conversations and compiling the responses into word clouds. These word clouds, along with images of the locations and participants, are featured on our website in a clickable gallery.
Open Chair Democracy Talks serve multiple purposes. Firstly, they empower individuals to voice their thoughts and concerns, creating a sense of agency and active citizenship. Secondly, our youth fellows gain inspiration for developing proposals based on the insights gathered during these conversations. Lastly, the experience itself is incredibly enriching for both participants and youth fellows, providing a platform for sharing stories, dreams, and ideas.
Could you share any upcoming initiatives or events related to Speak Up that your organization is currently working on?
One upcoming initiative in the Speak Up project is the IYTT Summer Camp in July. We will be sending two youth fellows to two Speak Up cities: Malmö and Oldenburg. Both cities will host a three-day summer camp, where local youth will engage in activities designed to encourage civic engagement and proposal development. The camp will include Open Chair Democracy Talks, brainstorming sessions, and proposal presentations to city representatives. We look forward to sharing our methods with the other Speak Up partners. Make sure to keep an eye out on our website to read about these events!