Teens and lawmakers discuss youth participation at 12th Athens Democracy Forum

The "Teens for Democracy" session took place at the 12th Athens Democracy Forum, where four teenagers and four members of national parliaments discussed how to increase youth participation in the democratic process.

Among the topics discussed were the challenges young people face in accessing political processes, the conditions needed to make voting at 16 meaningful, and the importance of inclusiveness and empowerment.

The four young people, Panagiotis Koulouridis, Angelina Kyrousi, Dagur Jonsson and Nahia Sierra Lopez, presented their proposals, which included youth councils at local and national levels and formal procedures to involve young people in parliamentary decision-making.

One of the lawmakers, Nefeli Chatziioannidou, the youngest member of the Greek Parliament, said, "Even the language used in politics is very far from what young people can relate to...