Botkyrka Initiates Ongoing Youth Forums to Enhance Political Dialogue and Job Opportunities

In Botkyrka, a new forum designed to foster dialogue between youth from adapted high school classes and local politicians has been launched, highlighting the municipality’s commitment to youth participation in democracy. Natsnet Kiflemariam, the child ombudsman for Botkyrka, stressed the importance of recognizing that children and young people are not a homogeneous group, hence the need for tailored approaches to uphold their rights, particularly their right to participate in political discussions.

Local politicians Emanuel Ksiazkiewicz (Social Democrats) and Willy Viitala (Moderate Party) emphasized the crucial role of practical placements (APL) for young people. Viitala committed to advocating for these opportunities within his working group, aiming for collaboration across all committees and administrations to ensure job creation. Ksiazkiewicz reinforced that joint efforts from all administrative sectors are essential to support youth employment.

The primary goal of this initiative is to establish recurring forums where youth from specialized high schools in Botkyrka can engage directly with politicians, enabling dialogue and feedback through accessible democratic processes. This approach represents a significant step towards inclusive governance and practical support for youth development in the community.