Online panel discussion: engaging young people in democracy

Join us for an insightful panel discussion on the vital question: How can we encourage young people to participate in democracy? This session will explore findings from ACT’s Parallel Election Project, where nearly 30,000 students participated in school elections alongside the 2024 General Election. These results demonstrate the importance of Citizenship education in developing informed, active citizens.

The panel discussion will focus on the participation of young people in the recent general election, alongside the results from ACT’s Parallel Election Project, which engaged students from schools and colleges across the country. The results highlight the potential of parallel elections in fostering political engagement among young people. Find out more about the Parallel Election Project and view the results summary here.

The panel will also consider the multifarious issues facing society today—such as disinformation, political disillusionment, and climate change—and explore how Citizenship education can provide a safe space for young people to learn and critically engage with these challenges. Discussing how through Citizenship education, students can reflect on the political and societal issues they face and develop the skills necessary to become active participants in democracy.

Drawing on expertise from teachers, students, academics, and organisations that work to support Citizenship education, the discussion will explore how we can further educate and encourage young people to become active, informed citizens. Topics will include political literacy, media literacy, and how we can empower the next generation to navigate and address societal challenges.

• Policymakers working on civic and democratic engagement in education.
• School leaders and Citizenship subject leads aiming to strengthen Citizenship teaching in their schools.
• Citizenship teachers and other educators seeking strategies to engage students in democracy.
• Academics and researchers with a focus on youth civic education.
• Funders and organisations committed to supporting Citizenship education and active citizenship.

Key themes from the event include:

• Research insights: Panellists will share evidence on the link between education and democratic engagement, from both the UK and overseas.
• Parallel Election findings: Key data from ACT’s Parallel Election Project will be discussed, exploring how parallel elections can be an educational tool to promote youth civic participation.
• Curriculum relevance: The discussion will highlight the need for more trained Citizenship teachers and greater support from school leaders and policymakers, emphasising the value of Citizenship education in pre- and post-16 settings.

Our panel

Professor of Politics, Royal Holloway University

Senior Lecturer in Social and Political Studies, Nottingham Trent University

Emeritus Professor of Social Research, Nottingham Trent University

Vice Chair of Leicester Young Labour

Senior Policy Manager, Association for Colleges

ACT Chief Executive

Event Venue

Online