Global youths disagree: Are younger leaders better for youths?

The global political arena is currently experiencing a remarkable shift in the age profile of its leaders. There's a striking contrast between U.S. presidential candidates in their late 70s and early 80s and the younger wave of prime ministers and presidents in their 30s, evident in nations like France, Chile and Saudi Arabia. This varied age distribution among world leaders is sparking conversations about a potential transformation in political leadership dynamics, with an increasing focus on the younger demographic. As the world approaches a pivotal election year, touted as the largest in history, the effectiveness of this trend and its potential to reshape global governance is under scrutiny. Central to this discussion is the capability of younger leaders to connect with and motivate the younger generation, encouraging their active participation in the political arena. CGTN host Enoch Wong recently engaged with youth representatives from different countries to explore this topic, with the objective to determine if the emergence of young leaders represents a superficial change or a meaningful shift in addressing the aspirations and concerns of the younger population.

Joseph, from Croatia, highlights a widely held preference in his country for leaders with more political leadership experience. He notes, "We would always prefer somebody a little bit older, especially for the presidential position. Because then the president can have a broader view of the problems that we are facing." Joseph further emphasizes the importance of cultivating strong relationships with neighboring countries, a task that is particularly challenging due to the complex history and diplomacy involved. And more importantly, having a good relationship with neighboring countries is really important. It's especially important in Europe because we are landlocked. He also mentions the impact of the Croatian War of Independence, a significant event in the collective memory of his parents' generation, on the country's diplomatic priorities. Joseph's commentary sheds light on the consensus that, in areas overshadowed with a history of conflict and complicated geopolitical dynamics, the insights and diplomatic skills acquired with age are invaluable. This perspective suggests that, although younger leaders can offer new ideas, the wisdom and comprehensive understanding that come with experience are essential for addressing the intricate challenges of international and domestic governance.

In contrast to the preference for experienced leadership seen in Croatia, the youthful leadership of Saudi Arabia's crown prince and prime minister, who is currently 38 years old, presents a different narrative that resonates strongly with the younger generation. Zuzanna highlights the appeal of the prince, stating, in Saudi Arabia, the prince is quite popular because he's very charismatic and young people really almost idolize him ... and he is good-looking too. This charm, combined with his ambitious plans for the country, as Zuzanna further describes Saudi Vision 2030 as, is a very grand plan for the region and has a very promising outgoing vision for Saudi Arabia, and demonstrates how leaders who possess both personal appeal and visionary goals can captivate young citizens. The prince's leadership style not only embodies the potential for transformative change but also the charisma that appeals to the youth, motivating them to support and participate in realizing progressive and ambitious national objectives. This scenario from Saudi Arabia underscores the significant impact that youthful and dynamic leaders can have in engaging younger demographics and steering them toward active involvement in shaping their nation's trajectory.

In Chile, the intertwining of political engagement with the youth's quest for genuine and transparent leadership emerges distinctly against a backdrop of institutional turmoil and corruption scandals. Natalia, a Tsinghua University Schwarzman Scholar from Chile, offers an insightful perspective on how Chile's 38-year-old president, a former student movement leader, has introduced a novel approach to governance that significantly aligns with the expectations of the younger generation. "In the case of my country, Chile, there's definitely a factor of President Boric being popular because he is young. At first, people were hesitant to trust him as a leader because of his age, but at the same time ... a lot of people actually seek young leaders who come from the student protest movement," she states. This inclination reflects a widespread yearning for leaders who are perceived to be more honest and free from the taint of historical political corruption. The manner in which President Boric engages with young people, "for example we see him using social media the same way we do and he even likes the same music," narrows the divide between him and the youth, positioning him as a symbol of empowerment and hope. Natalia adds, "For example, as a young person, I feel empowered and understand I have the responsibility to care for all the people, especially the elders, and vulnerable because I have the energy, knowledge and perspectives."

Natalia further discusses President Boric's journey from a student protest leader to the presidency, noting the significant growth in his political prowess and the nuanced understanding he has developed. "I have been following the student protest movement and President Boric for over a decade ... part of the learning of all politicians in this young generation has been learning how to do governance," she observes. This statement sheds light on the delicate equilibrium young politicians must find between heeding advice and adhering to their core principles amidst the intricate dynamics of political power. In the context of Chile's divided society, Boric's leadership offers a vision of hope for establishing a more inclusive democracy, attentive to the varied needs and dreams of its citizens, even in the face of widespread skepticism and societal divisions. Natalia's reflections emphasize an important lesson: the effectiveness of young leaders is not solely based on their charm or forward-looking plans, but on their capacity to engage sincerely, build trust and foster cooperation in a fragmented social environment.

The involvement of young individuals in the political sphere is more substantial than the mere presence of young leaders in positions of power. It encompasses the mechanisms through which the perspectives of the younger generation are genuinely heard and incorporated into policymaking. Highlighting a critical aspect of youth participation, Cici points out the limitations of confining young voices to advisory councils: "The idea of youth advisory council is great ... But the thing is, when you separate young people like that into their own council, it's easy to drown their voices out collectively." This comment sheds light on a significant hurdle in ensuring meaningful youth engagement: securing their full inclusion in the broader political discourse. Cici advocates for a model that ensures young individuals are part of all crucial conversations, saying, "What we really need is for young people to be integrated into the real and big conversations." Such an approach aims to remove the barriers that hinder young people's active participation, ensuring they significantly contribute to shaping policies and decision-making. By adopting this strategy, democracy becomes more vibrant, inclusive and innovative, benefiting from the fresh perspectives and insights of the younger generation.

The conversation on young leadership and political involvement becomes even more complex when considering the varied identities and viewpoints among young people themselves. Addressing the idea of a homogeneous "youth vote," Nick remarks, "To be honest, I don't think youth or young people can be considered one demographic group because they don't all share the same views. For example, I don't get along with all young people just because we're young." He expresses skepticism about the notion that the youth would automatically support a young politician, emphasizing the importance of other factors beyond age. This perspective is supported by Zuzanna, who emphasizes the role of socioeconomic status in influencing political ideologies: "I agree. I think for me, the economic background and class is very important. Someone can be young, but they can come from a privileged position, which most young people can't relate to in the world." These insights underline the multifaceted nature of young voters' preferences and expectations, indicating that age alone does not define political alignment or support. Acknowledging the diversity within the youth demographic necessitates a nuanced approach to political engagement, one that accounts for the various experiences, challenges and goals that inform their political views. Recognizing and addressing these distinctions can lead political leaders and systems to foster a more comprehensive and representative dialogue with young individuals, ensuring that policies and initiatives are relevant and resonate with the diverse realities of young people's experiences.

As the global political landscape witnesses a shift toward younger leadership, it is important to consider the implications of this trend on youth engagement and representation. While the presence of younger leaders has the potential to inspire and motivate youth participation in the political process, experts caution that age alone is not a sufficient factor in determining effective leadership or the ability to tackle complex national and international challenges. The key to success, according to political analysts, lies in the creation of inclusive political systems that actively seek out and incorporate the voices of young people from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and ideological perspectives. This necessitates a significant change in the way political institutions operate, moving beyond tokenistic efforts and toward genuine collaboration and power-sharing with the younger generation. Furthermore, recognizing the heterogeneity within the youth demographic is crucial, as it allows for the development of targeted strategies to engage with various subgroups and communities. By embracing diversity and fostering a culture of open dialogue and mutual understanding, nations can work toward building a political future that accurately reflects the aspirations and concerns of the global youth population.