Beyond Youth Voices: Sharing Power with the Next Generation
Young people are often described as the future of climate action. Yet across climate governance, diplomacy, philanthropy, and policymaking, many young people continue to face a fundamental challenge: being invited into conversations without being given meaningful influence over decisions, resources, or outcomes.
This discussion will explore what genuine youth participation and leadership look like in a rapidly changing climate landscape. Participants will examine how young people—and children in particular—can move beyond symbolic representation to become active contributors to climate governance, policy design, innovation, and systems change. The conversation will consider the role of intergenerational equity, the persistence of adultism in decision-making spaces, and the practical models emerging to embed youth participation into institutions, cities, education systems, and climate processes.
The session will also address a growing concern about leadership pathways. Many of the institutions, funding streams, and professional networks that historically supported emerging climate leaders are under pressure or disappearing altogether. What does it take to build and sustain the next generation of climate and governance leaders, particularly in the Global South? And how can philanthropy, governments, and civil society help create new pathways into leadership and public service?
As climate decisions made today will shape the lives of younger generations for decades to come, the challenge is no longer whether young people should be included. It is whether institutions are prepared to share power, resources, and responsibility in ways that allow the next generation to help shape the future they will inherit.
Discussion Group Leaders
Angela Huston Gold is CEO of The Resilience Project, advancing youth climate leadership through inner development and resilience-building approaches.
Anjatiana Radoharinirina is National Coordinator at AIKA Alliance, advancing youth-led climate action, water access, and community resilience in Madagascar.
Tracy Jooste is Associate Director at Governance Action Hub, advancing governance and systems change through strategy, impact, and cross-sector collaboration.
Discussion Questions
What is the difference between youth participation and youth power, and how can climate institutions move from one to the other?
How does adultism show up in climate governance, philanthropy, and policymaking, and what would it take to challenge it?
What new models are needed to support and sustain the next generation of climate and governance leaders, particularly from the Global South?
How can children and young people be meaningfully involved in shaping climate policies, investments, and solutions rather than being treated primarily as beneficiaries or advocates?