The Faculty of Social Sciences (Facso-UNA) at the National University of Asunción has taken a significant step towards strengthening youth participation in local public administration by proposing an ordinance for the establishment of a Youth Municipal Council in Fernando de la Mora, Central Department. This initiative, part of Facso's university extension project "Awareness of Youth Rights," was officially announced last week.

The announcement event garnered significant interest, with municipal and legislative officials, as well as representatives from various youth organizations, in attendance. Ada Vera Rojas, Dean of Facso-UNA, emphasized the importance of "building bridges between the university, local government, and civil society organizations to strengthen democracy from an intergenerational perspective." This demonstrates Facso's strong commitment to ensuring that the voices of young people are reflected in policy-making processes.

Olga Paredes, Director of University Extension, presented the main contents of the proposed document. Key figures such as Fernando Núñez, President of the Municipal Council, Pedro Gómez, Chairperson of the House Youth Committee, and Luz Salinas, Director of the Municipal Youth Department, were present, forming a consensus on the importance of youth participation.

Building a Leading Model for Youth Participation 

This initiative is expected to position Fernando de la Mora as a leading city for youth participation in the Central Department. Currently, only Encarnación and Villarrica in Paraguay operate active Youth Municipal Councils, making Fernando de la Mora's attempt the first of its kind in the Central Department, which is highly significant. This could inspire other local governments to establish similar bodies for youth participation.

The ordinance proposed by Facso includes innovative tools to promote informed, continuous, and representative participation of young people. Key elements include the Fernando de la Mora Municipal Youth Survey (Encuesta Municipal de Juventud) and the annual Municipal Youth Council Meeting (Congreso Municipal de Juventud anual).

Municipal Youth Survey: This survey will serve as crucial foundational data for understanding the diverse realities and needs of young people in Fernando de la Mora. It will analyze the current status of youth across various aspects, including education, employment, cultural activities, social participation, and health, to inform policy development. This is expected to lead to the development of more practical and youth-centric policies.

Annual Municipal Youth Council Meeting: Held annually, this meeting will provide a platform for young people to directly voice their opinions, present policy proposals, and communicate with municipal councilors and officials. This offers a channel for young people to participate in the policy-making process not merely as beneficiaries of policies but as active agents. Youth representatives will convene to discuss various issues and formulate policy proposals to be submitted to the municipal government.

Paraguay's Future Rests on Its Youth 

Facso emphasizes that the establishment of this Youth Municipal Council is critically important, considering that a majority of Paraguay's population is comprised of young people. Youth participation in public decision-making plays a pivotal role in the development of democracy. Their active involvement not only drives social innovation and progress but also contributes to the formulation of more inclusive and sustainable policies.

The Youth Municipal Council is expected to bring about the following positive effects:

Enhanced Democratic Participation: By directly participating in policy-making processes, young people can deepen their understanding of democracy and gain opportunities to grow into responsible citizens.
Increased Efficiency of Youth Policies: Policies that reflect the actual voices of young people are far more effective than theoretical policies and can positively impact the lives of young people.
Cultivation of Future Leaders: Through activities in the Youth Municipal Council, young people can develop leadership, critical thinking, and communication skills, laying the groundwork for becoming key players in future society.
Strengthened Social Integration: By bringing together young people from diverse backgrounds to communicate and collaborate, the council can promote social integration and enhance intergenerational understanding.
The proposal to establish the Fernando de la Mora Youth Municipal Council suggests that it is time for Paraguayan local governments to re-evaluate the role of youth and make concrete efforts to empower them. If this project successfully takes root, the Youth Municipal Council model could expand throughout Paraguay, leading to a democratic society where young people participate more actively as core members of society. This is ultimately expected to be a crucial cornerstone for Paraguay's sustainable development and a better future.
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