Youth parliaments are also a platform for integration
“Children and youth can’t vote or elect officials. That's why it's very important that they are integrated through the youth and children's parliaments,” says 18-year-old Nicolas Mauron, a member of the Youth Parliament of the Canton of Bern.
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Studied history and politics at University of Bern. Worked at Reuters, the newspapers Der Bund and Berner Zeitung, and the Förderband radio station. I am concerned with the Swiss practice of modern direct democracy in all its aspects and at all levels, my constant focus being the citizen.
I am an experienced video journalist passionate about making complex topics accessible and engaging through compelling multimedia storytelling. Focused on social and environmental issues, I produce various video formats on a wide range of topics, specialising in impactful explainer videos with motion graphics and stop-motion animation.
During my studies in cinema, English literature and journalism, I’ve gained experience in radio, television, and print across Switzerland. After working with the Locarno Film Festival’s image & sound team, I joined SWI swissinfo.ch in 2018 to produce local and international reportages.
The more than 80 youth parliaments in Switzerland are self-governing platforms run by their members, where young people aged 15 to 25 can acquire know-how and skills. They get involved voluntarily, which is why “youth self-motivation, self-organisation and self-empowerment” is the motto.
Youth parliaments are open to all, regardless of education or citizenship. In terms of age, 20-year-old Tarik Boukris from the Youth Parliament of canton Solothurn could have taken part in votes and elections in Switzerland two years ago. But because he doesn’t have Swiss citizenship yet, although he’s in the process, he is still excluded from exercising his political rights.
The know-how and competencies are about understanding the political system in Switzerland, networking, dealing with budget and finances, but also political communication, especially the appearing confident in front of an audience.
These points were mentioned by Mauron, Boukhris and other members of youth parliaments whom we interviewed during a workshop weekend at the Swiss Association for Youth Parliaments in Bern. For most of them, they were able to practice what they had learned in their first interview with a media outlet.
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Democracy
Youth parliaments – the springboard of Swiss democracy
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In Switzerland, the more than 80 youth parliaments help 15- to 25-year-olds learn the ropes of politics.
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