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1. Main concepts

2. Youth interest in global issues

Main concepts

(under construction).
 

Youth interest in global issues

There are no surveys focused specifically on young people’s interest in global issues. Rather, information can be retrieved from various surveys focusing on security, youth, and future research.

A survey (7,081 responses from 13–25-year-olds) and 24 consultation workshops organised for young people in connection with the preparation of the National Youth Work and Youth Policy Programme 2024–2027 (VANUPO) revealed that climate change, social exclusion, and the global political situation were the most important challenges for young people in Finland.

Approximately 45–65% of young people think about their own future in relation to global issues and their living environment (Young people’s values in foreign and security policy – Behavioural overview of the values of young people in Finland, 2025, in Finnish). The figures are based on the Futures Barometer, published by the Finnish Innovation Fund (SITRA) in March 2025. Making sustainable consumption choices was very important for 34% and somewhat important for 77% of young people in 2024. While young people’s climate action increased in the 2020s, their general interest in climate-related issues has decreased since 2007. (Youth Barometer 2024, p. 71–73).

The Young People’s Nature and Climate Declaration 2026 (Nuorten ympäristöjulkilausuma 2026, in Finnish) provides more specific information about young people’s interest in climate change and environmental issues. The declaration was published on 23 May 2026 and is based on the views of approximately 300 young people (11–29-year-olds) who took part in the 2026 Youth Climate and Nature Summit in Helsinki. Additional material was gathered through an online survey and school visits. The Youth Nature and Climate Group (NUOLI) coordinated the declaration’s realisation. 

The declaration states that the environmental and climate crisis has affected young people’s declining faith in the future. The declaration is divided into four main themes: 1) future working life and economic life, 2) a good life as part of nature (hyvä elämä osana luontoa), 3) climate and security, and 4) forests and agriculture, indicating that young people have a broad understanding of the variety of actions that can contribute to tackling environmental and climate change. The declaration also refers to the 2025 Youth Barometer ‘Under pressure’ (Ihan paineissa. Nuorisobarometri 2025, in Finnish), where climate change is listed among the top four causes of insecurity and uncertainty among young people. 

The Youth, Peace and Security : Finland's National Action Plan 2025–2028 was published by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs on 1 December 2025. The national-level plan provides insight into young people’s interest in peace- and security-related themes. During the preparation of the action plan, over 300 young people, some of whom had expertise in peace and security issues, were consulted on their thoughts on peace and security. Young people emphasised the potential of their own agency and called for more concrete opportunities to influence decision-making processes. Young people also called for supporting a pluralistic society, and promoting equality and acting against exclusion and racism. (For more information, see p. 26 of the Youth, Peace and Security: Finland's National Action Plan 2025–2028).

Apart from sustainable development, climate issues, and the global political situation, there are no national-level surveys examining young people’s interest or participation in education, entrepreneurship, volunteering, and employment outside Europe, or in human rights issues.