I had the incredible opportunity to represent the Global Shapers Community at a recent discourse on “Caring Cities: Youth Engagement in Policy Development, Democratic Processes, and the Labor Market,” organized by the Global Parliament of Mayors. It was inspiring to witness how much common ground we share across geographical boundaries.

One key highlight was the unwavering commitment of the mayors to involve young people in the decision-making processes of their cities. During my participation, I emphasized the importance of leveraging existing structures and organizations such as the Global Shapers Community and student leadership bodies, rather than reinventing the wheel. I also encouraged the mayors to embrace trending social media platforms within their cities and allocate dedicated time for meaningful engagement with the youth. As an example, I cited Governor Kahiga, who effectively uses TikTok to connect with and engage the youth in Nyeri. His team actively participates and responds to questions, setting a positive precedent.

I also had the privilege to share the remarkable work that the Global Shapers Community has been doing worldwide, particularly in strengthening civic engagement and protecting our planet. As an initiative of the World Economic Forum, the Global Shapers Community brings together over 14,000 inspiring young individuals under the age of 30, collaborating to address local, regional, and global challenges. We have a presence in 505 city-based hubs across 152 countries, making a significant impact on a global scale.

Additionally, it was an enlightening experience to learn from other mayors about their efforts to involve youth in decision-making within their respective cities. What truly stood out was their dedication to fostering intergenerational engagement and mentorship. Mayor Rio shared how his city exclusively funds projects approved by the youth and highlighted initiatives in local junior schools aimed at conserving energy.

I was honored to share the panel with distinguished leaders, including Host Mayor Jefferson Koijee (Monrovia, Liberia), GPM Chair Mayor Ricardo Rio (Braga, Portugal), Mayor Geoffrey Ngiriker (Nebbi, Uganda), and Deputy Mayor Samir Avdic (Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina). The session was expertly moderated by Dr. Stefania Forte.