The Handbook for Innovative Democracy
The Handbook for Innovative Democracy presents tangible policy proposals for decision-makers originating from IYTT youth conferences. These proposals aim at strengthening democracy in the three policy areas: Governance, Education, and Equity. The Handbook presents the proposals into policy areas and resource parameters necessary for policy implementation. It is a user-friendly, quick-to-use guide that inspires democracy-renewal fitting the needs, contexts, and capabilities of decision-makers.
Resource parameters for implementation
POLICY AREA 1: GOVERNANCE
1. Reviving the Democratic Tree
Creating assemblies and national civic committees to re-engage citizens in democratic processes
3. Enhance Supply Chain Disclosure
Increasing transparency to help consumers make informed consumption choice
4. Global Charter for Truth
Preserving journalistic intergrity, access to reliable information and data privacy
5. United Nations in the 21st Century
Equipping the UN to respond to the challenges of the 21st century
6. Youth Delegations & Youth Budgets
Including youth in policymaking processes for innovative governance
7. Knowledge Exchange Network
Promoting Communication of Local Grassroots Oganisations for Crisis Response
8. Councils for the Future
Tackling Underrepresentation Through Non-partisan Citizens' Councils
9. Needs Based Model to Measure Well-being
Repurposing Economics Through a New Econometric Model
10. Community Centred Decision Making
Establishing Regular Regional Surveys to Determine "Factor X"
POLICY AREA 2: EDUCATION
1. Expanding Access to Education
Recognizing vocational training, lifelong learning, language learning, and intercultural exchanges
2. Reforming the Educational System
Including practical democracy, media & technology, and internationally oriented learning in education
3. Empower Through Legal Knowledge
Empowering citizens and policymakers through knowledge courses in legal subjects
5. Training for Political Participation
Mentoring young activists and politicians, to include the youth’s perspective in the decision-making
6. Mandatory Career Service at All EU High Schools
Widening participation for equitable access to higher education
7. 21st Century Skills Education
Adjusting school curricula through demanded and new skills for a vastly transitioning world
8. Big Collaboration Project
Implementing cross-sectoral partnerships to teach project-based practical skills
9. Regional Critical Education
Implementing Educational Programmes for Conscious Communities of Critical Thinkers
10. Public Service Draft
Introducing Paid Employment for High Schools in Providing Public Service
POLICY AREA 3: EQUITY
1. Enforce Human Rights
Holding governments accountable for their human rights commitments by empowering citizens legally
2. Put Youth In Charge
Enable electoral quotas for youth to fight their underrepresentation in parliaments and governments
3. Democratize Tax
Allowing agency over a proportion of taxation to enhance citizens’ participation to democratic life
4. Equalizing Access to Highest Ranking Positions
Democratising the path to political power, to make sure nobody is left behind
5. True Legal Equality
Strengthening minorities' ability to participate and make their voice heard
6. New Measures of Economic Success
Focusing on human well-being as a central goal of the economy
8. Worker Empowerment
Sharing the profit and the decision-making powers equally among workers and leaders
9. The Rights of Future Generations
Changing constitutions for equitable and sustainable long-term policymaking
10. UN Indigenous Climate Conference
Empowering and spreading indigenous knowledge for sustainable climate action
11. Youth Mental Health Steering Groups
Empowering people with lived experience to improve public mental health services
12. Intergenerational Global Loans System
Implementing a financially sustainable loan system for intergenerational justice
13. Global Digital Citizenship
Achieving equity in access and security for an inclusive digital transition
15. Community-based Psychosocial Support Groups
Increasing Psychosocial Support While Incorporating Local and Indigenous Practices
18. Devolved, Democratic Budgeting
Universal Basic Income to Implement the New Econometric Model
19. Reshaping Healthcare Systems
Recognising and Tackling Intersectional Inequalities Through Education, Research and Development