Portugal Champions Stronger Youth Participation at the United Nations

Portugal was part of a High-Level panel to launch the Core Principles for Meaningful Youth Participation in Intergovernmental Processes and UN Work, prepared by the UN Youth Office.

In his remarks, Ambassador Rui Vinhas commended the leadership of the UN Youth Office in advancing a more inclusive and forward-looking multilateral system for young people.

For Portugal, the Core Principles closely align with the national commitment to strengthening youth participation in democratic life. Through the work of the Portuguese Institute for Sport and Youth, Portugal promotes policies and programmes that empower young people to engage actively in civic and public affairs.

Portugal’s National Youth Plan provides a strategic framework for youth policy, integrating participation, inclusion and empowerment as key pillars of youth development.

In addition, the Youth Participatory Budget enables young people to propose and vote on projects of national relevance, demonstrating how participatory mechanisms can give youth a direct role in shaping public investment and policy priorities.

Programmes such as the “Youth Parliament” encourage democratic engagement and policy debate among young people, helping to build civic awareness and leadership from an early age.

Portugal also actively supports youth civil society through structures such as the Portuguese National Youth Council, which represents youth organizations and plays a key role in facilitating dialogue between young people and decision-makers. Together, these initiatives illustrate how structured mechanisms, institutional support and youth-led engagement can strengthen democratic participation and ensure that young people contribute meaningfully to public policy.