Exploring Youth Civic Participation: Insights from Dan Mercea’s Presentation at Declic’s Event

On June 14, 2024, Dan Mercea delivered a presentation on youth civic participation at an event organized by declic.ro, a Romanian online platform for civic and political activism. This gathering served as an excellent opportunity to engage with stakeholders from the TakePart project and foster deeper connections with them. The event attracted representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) across seven countries: Austria, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Romania, Serbia, and Sweden.

Dan’s talk focused on the broad trends linking media consumption to civic participation, which provided a comprehensive overview of the current landscape. He then delved into two key areas of interest for the audience: petition-signing and donations to NGOs. These topics are particularly relevant as they represent significant aspects of civic engagement today.

Drawing from surveys designed by the TakePart team over the past two and a half years, Dan shared findings that highlighted important patterns in civic participation among young people. These insights shed light on how media influences civic actions, offering valuable perspectives for the NGOs in attendance.

Following Dan’s presentation, the session concluded with a dynamic panel discussion featuring NGO representatives. The panelists reflected on the research findings and shared their thoughts on implementing the recommendations. They engaged in a thoughtful dialogue about potential strategies for enhancing civic participation, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and innovation in their efforts.

The event was a meaningful step forward in understanding and promoting youth civic participation. It provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas and explore new avenues for strengthening civic engagement across the participating countries. Through discussions like these, we can work together to inspire more young people to become active participants in shaping their communities and societies.