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Hungary

9. Youth and the World

9.3 Exchanges between young people and policy-makers on global issues

Last update: 6 April 2025
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  1. Global issues exchanges with policy-makers at the domestic level
  2. Global issues exchanges with policy-makers at the international level

Global issues exchanges with policy-makers at the domestic level

Board of the Children and Youth Fund

The main advisory body in the field of youth policy is currently the Board of the Children and Youth Fund (Gyermek és Ifjúsági Alapprogram Tanácsa). The Fund does not deal specifically with global issues but it has the opportunity to do so, and many global issues have domestic implications which could be the topic of indirect dialogue. Representatives of the

The common feature of these organisations is the promotion of strong engagement among young people. The number of invitees is constantly expanding. The outcome of the talks is usually a reminder of the discussions. (For more information on the Board, see 5.3 Youth representation bodies)

EU Youth Delegates

One of the main roles for exchanges with policy-makers at the domestic level is the EU Youth Delegates. According to the Ministry information, the two EU Youth Delegates are responsible for visiting a country, learning about the situation of young people and participating in EU Youth Events (three times in total during the cycle). One delegate usually participates in the Spanish-Belgian-Hungarian Trio meeting, therefore, she/he is involved in the discussion of priorities and objectives related to youth, together with the National Youth Council (Nemzeti Ifjúsági Tanács).

Global issues exchanges with policy-makers at the international level

United Nations Youth Delegate Programme

Hungary joined the United Nations Youth Delegate Programme (ENSZ Ifjúsági Küldött Program) in 2016. The purpose of the delegate is to gain the broadest possible understanding of the views of young people in their country of origin, while also paying attention to the inclusion of marginalised groups. The delegate tries to

  • to bring the gathered experiences to as many domestic and international decision-makers as possible and
  • make proposals to improve the situation of young people and
  • also draws attention to sustainable development goals.

Currently, the Ministry of Culture and Innovation (Kulturális és Innovációs Minisztérium) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Külgazdasági és Külügyminisztérium) are responsible for implementing the programme.

In 2024, the delegates were Annamaria Wettstein and Brimo Widad, and in 2025, Annamaria Wettstein. Annamária Wettstein was a junior delegate in 2024 and a senior youth delegate in 2025. Her goals include promoting volunteering, discussion on mental health and digital awareness with young people, and working on sustainability issues and communicating them to decision-makers. Brimo Widad was Hungary's senior UN youth delegate in 2024. Her goals included highlighting gender equality and the role of culture. It was important to her that Hungarian culture reaches the UN forums and that Hungarian youth at home and abroad gain greater literacy. She also wants to contribute to the perception of gender equality and to help young women to have as many opportunities as possible.

Youth Stakeholders Group

In 2025, Hungary joined the EU Youth Stakeholders Group established by the European Commission, in which young people will be directly involved through the participation of the National Youth Council. The aim is to involve European youth organisations, national youth councils, youth researchers, Member State representatives and other EU institutions in the implementation of the legacy of the European Year of Youth 2022 and the EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027. It also aims to promote dialogue and youth consultations on upcoming EU policy initiatives. Both governmental and youth representatives will be involved in the group, ensuring adequate representation of the youth field at EU level.

Other forums and conferences

Young Hungarians are also given additional formal opportunities to engage with Hungarian and foreign policy-makers and relevant stakeholders on issues of global interest. For example, the UN ECOSOC Forum or the Visegrad Youth Forums (VYF). These platforms are formal, predictable and systematic. The UN forums are usually held in New York with the participation of the United Nations Youth Delegate (ENSZ Ifjúsági Küldött).

Assistance to young Ukrainian refugees

The Russian-Ukrainian war has raised the question of how to integrate young refugees from Ukraine into the Hungarian community. According to the Ministry's information in 2024, Hungary made significant efforts to provide appropriate solutions to this global challenge. The government has provided humanitarian aid to refugees and ensured that young Ukrainians can study in Hungarian education institutions and supported language learning.