Involving Young People in German Development Policy BMZ Youth Advisory Council

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Members of the BMZ Youth Advisory Council

Young people make up the majority of the population in many of the BMZ’s partner countries. Development policy decisions have a significant impact on their prospects, both now and in the future.

However, young people are often not involved in policy decisions – including in the area of development policy – whether due to a lack of resources, the societal context or a lack of awareness. Yet they have a right to be involved in matters that affect them, and through their participation they can contribute to a more effective development policy that is tailored to the needs of its target groups. By establishing the Youth Advisory Council in May 2021, the BMZ put a greater focus on the rights of young people.

The members of the Youth Advisory Council bring with them innovative ideas and a keen awareness of pressing global challenges and the concerns of young people worldwide. Their input helps to ensure that German development policy takes greater account of the needs and rights of young people.

The Youth Advisory Council currently consists of 16 young people aged 16 to 24, who serve a three-year term.

They were selected following a public call for applications. The Council members were chosen by a selection committee comprising representatives from the BMZ, GIZ and the German Institute for Human Rights, a representative of a non-governmental children’s rights organisation and youth representatives. Care was taken to ensure diversity on the Council, particularly with regard to gender, age, educational and migration background and previous participatory activities.

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Members of the BMZ Youth Advisory Council at the UN Transforming Education Summit in New York in September 2022

The Youth Advisory Council is involved in a wide variety of topics and issues which are determined in consultation with the BMZ. For example, the Council might be involved in drafting new sectoral or regional strategies and concepts, or accompany BMZ delegations to selected international conferences, or offer a youth perspective at events on development policy issues. It also engages in regular consultations with the BMZ leadership.

In particular, the Youth Advisory Council is committed to examining development cooperation from a post-colonial perspective, creating more opportunities for youth participation, and effectively implementing the rights of children and young people. It also provides constructive, advisory support on current political priorities, such as feminist development policy.

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November 22–24, 2022 International Youth Forum organised by the BMZ and the BMZ Youth Advisory Council

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During the first International Youth Forum in November 2022, the young people will develop recommendations for action.

In order to put more focus on the voices of young people worldwide and increase their visibility, the Youth Advisory Council maintains contact with youth representatives from the BMZ’s partner countries.

At the first International Youth Forum jointly organised by the BMZ and the BMZ Youth Advisory Council in November 2022, the members met with representatives from 17 other countries to discuss topics such as participation, good governance, climate and the environment, peace, security and violence, and social justice.

During the Forum, recommendations for increasing youth participation in development cooperation were drawn up. These were presented to Minister Svenja Schulze and discussed with her.