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1. Forthcoming policy developments

2. Ongoing debates

  Forthcoming policy developments

In June 2019, a Social Democratic minority government was formed. The government and its three supporting parties have presented their political understanding entitled “A fair direction for Denmark”. In the paper, the government commits itself to combat child poverty. “Irrespective of a child’s background and their parent’s circumstances, it must be ensured that all children in Denmark grow up under decent conditions and with the opportunity to take an active part in the community.”

The government intends to strengthen Danish democracy by mapping and removing bureaucratic burdens for voluntary associations and increase the use of “leisure time passes” to vulnerable youths and children, so that more have the opportunity to participate in associations. 

In the government’s programme for the bills that the government intends to present in the parliamentary year 2020/2021, the minister for children and education plans to widen societally engaged youth organisations’ access to upper secondary education institutions at least once a year in connection with general elections, municipal and regional elections and national youth elections.

  Ongoing debates

Young people’s political engagement has increased. The political engagement takes place in extra-parliamentary activities in the form of strikes, demonstrations and features in newspapers. 

In 2020, the Danish Youth Council (DUF) has conducted an analysis of young people’s participation and citizenship: The analysis concludes that the political participation among Danish youth is high and diverse. Climate change is still a top-priority among Danish youth.