A publication on Finnish political youth organisations

Demo has published its second pamphlet in collaboration with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. The original idea came from the Finnish political youth organisations involved in Demo’s youth programme in Nepal, and the content was provided by them during the spring 2007. Under the name of Political Youth Organisations: Strengthening the Voice of Youth in Politics, the pamphlet introduces Finnish political youth organisations and their current role in Finnish society.

It was published in October 2007 in the Foreign Ministry’s series called The Finnish Experience and it is at the moment available only in English, but is presently being translated into Nepalese.

An extract from the back cover of the booklet:

"Political youth and student organisations are a significant part of the Finnish political system. They have their own role to play in implementing democracy. They provide important support for their mother parties, but at the same time they may challenge their mother parties and make their own policy initiatives. Political youth and student organisations are an ideal breeding ground for future decision-makers in that they provide opportunities for training, debates, joint policy making and advocacy. They serve as schools for democratic participation and advocate the interests of the young.

This booklet, a co-operative publication by Political Parties of Finland for Democracy (Demo Finland) and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, describes the Finnish experience of political youth and student organisations. It sheds light on what they are for, how they are formed and financed, and what means they employ to make their voices heard.

The booklet hopes to serve as a tool for those who might benefit from the experiences of Finnish political youth and student organisations."

This booklet, as well as Women’s Role in Finnish Democracy Building, published earlier in the same series, can be ordered from the Demo offices. The booklet on Finnish political youth organisations can also be downloaded by using the link below:

Political Youth Organisations: Strengthening the Voice of Youth in Politics

DEMO Finland Töölöntorinkatu 2 B, 00260 Helsinki, Finland Tel. +358 9 231 50580  |  Fax +358 9 231 50520