France backs Unesco drive to involve more young people in political decisions

France's foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot has expressed support for a UNESCO initiative aimed at increasing youth involvement in political decision-making processes. The drive, formally approved by UNESCO after being proposed by 145 young representatives from 135 countries, seeks to empower young people in conflict prevention, mediation mechanisms, and the governance of artificial intelligence, a threat to global peace.

The initiative emerges amid ongoing student-led protests in France, which have gained momentum in recent weeks due to widespread dissatisfaction with perceived political disenfranchisement. These demonstrations, some of which have escalated into violence, have underscored the urgent need for young people's voices to be heard in shaping national and international policies.

Barrot emphasized the importance of young people's perspectives in addressing pressing global challenges, stating, "Peace among nations, like civic peace, rests on the ability of enlightened women and men to settle their differences respectfully, recognizing that they share a common future." The proposed framework also calls for the establishment of public mechanisms to oversee the implementation of recommendations, reflecting a broader commitment to transparency and accountability in governance.