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EACEA National Policies Platform
Poland

Poland

5. Participation

5.10 Current debates and reforms

Last update: 28 November 2023

Currently, the establishment of a national system of youth representation is being debated. The Children and Youth Council operating under the authority of the Minister of National Education have prepared a bill regarding youth representation. Other proposals of how to solve the issue have been put forward by non-governmental organisations included in the Polish Council of Youth Organisations, as well as other groups of young activists. The way in which a system of youth representation is to be appointed and its competences are a moot point. The organisations that are involved in the dialogue are trying to provide answers to the following questions:  should the representation be composed of organisations or youth councils or maybe just student governments? Should the council be independent or operate under the auspices of a government agency? who should finance it and how? etc. The debate also includes the council’s competences and tasks, especially going beyond the consultative form, and obtaining authorisation to initiate legislative procedures concerning youth. Increasing the competences of youth councils affiliated with local government units and the legalisation of the activity of youth representation bodies at regional (i.e. provincial) levels is another matter on the agenda. The Parliamentary Group Supporting Youth Councils Operating within Local Government Units (Parlamentarny Zespół ds. Wspierania Młodzieżowych Rad przy Jednostkach Samorządu Terytorialnego) is also involved in the debate.