Youth Proofing Mechanism (MT0021)

Our Commitment

The commitment entails the implementation of a legislative framework known as the Youth Proofing system in governance. This initiative addresses the issue of insufficient representation and consideration of young people’s perspectives in decision-making processes, legislation, and policy development. The Youth Proofing system aligns with the principles of open governance, aiming to actively integrate the voices and aspirations of young citizens into the decision-making process. Youth Proofing is a forward-looking youth impact assessment mechanism that evaluates how proposed legislation, policies, and strategies may affect young people. Unlike traditional impact assessments, which often focus on immediate and tangible outcomes, Youth Proofing takes a comprehensive approach, considering various dimensions of youth experiences, vulnerabilities, and well-being. It seeks to anticipate and address vulnerabilities in areas like education, employment, mental health, social inclusion, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, promoting a proactive approach to governance. This commitment envisions a participatory framework overseen by the National Youth Agency, Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, in collaboration with youth representatives and various stakeholders involved in policy formulation. This collaborative approach ensures a thorough understanding of the potential impacts of policies and initiatives on young people, emphasising their needs and concerns in decision-making. The Youth Proofing system emphasises transparency through stakeholder engagement, and it encourages collaboration across government departments to comprehensively address youthrelated issues. The ultimate goal is to empower young citizens, grant them ownership over policies that affect their lives. This legislative framework will aim to create youth-inclusive policies, engage young people in decision-making, anticipate and address vulnerabilities, promote evidence-based decisionmaking, enhance government accountability and transparency, encourage collaboration, and empower young citizens. It is expected to result in more effective, responsive, and inclusive governance, policies, and strategies that cater to the needs and aspirations of young people, benefiting both young citizens and society as a whole.

Problem Definition

What problem does the commitment aim to address?

This commitment aims to address a problem in the governance and policy-making landscape: the underrepresentation and insufficient consideration of the perspectives and interests of young people. Young people, defined by the National Youth policy as that cohort between the ages of 13 and 30, face unique challenges and opportunities that are not always adequately recognized and addressed by traditional governance systems. The problem stems from a historical lack of opportunities of engagement for young people in decision-making processes and a failure to thoroughly assess the impact of policies and legislation on that particular period of life. During these formative years government policies and initiatives can determine their well-being and future prospects. However, traditional governance structures often overlook the unique needs and vulnerabilities of young people and how these affect their transition from childhood to adulthood, as they navigate crucial decisions related to education, employment, mental health, social inclusion, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. In this context, this commitment seeks to build upon the National Youth Policy: Towards 2030, which had already recognised the importance of addressing the needs and interests of young people in governance. By implementing a Youth Proofing system, this commitment is places Malta as a forerunner in youth policy development, much like previous legislative reforms in 2014 that regulated the youth work profession and the introduction of voting rights for 16-year-olds. The commitment seeks to proactively engage and empower young individuals, ensuring their voices are heard and their concerns are taken into account, ultimately shaping policies, strategies, and legislation that better serve their interests. Hence, this commitment’s primary aim is to address the underrepresentation and inadequate consideration of young people’s perspectives in governance and policy-making. This problem affects all young people in Malta, as they navigate crucial life decisions. The commitment seeks to rectify this long-standing issue by introducing a Youth Proofing system, establishing a participatory framework that actively engages young people, and collaboratively envisions remedies for a more inclusive and responsive governance system. In doing so, it paves the way for Malta to continue its legacy of pioneering youth policy development.

What are the causes of the problem?

The problem of underrepresentation and inadequate consideration of young people’s perspectives in governance and policy-making is a multifaceted issue with both immediate and deep-rooted causes. Immediate causes of this problem include the lack of youth engagement in decision-making and the inadequacy of current impact assessments. Young people are often excluded from key discussions, consultations, and debates that shape the policies and legislation affecting their lives. This exclusion results in policies that fail to align with the unique needs and aspirations. Additionally, traditional impact assessments predominantly focus on economic and short-term consequences, often neglecting broader and youth-specific impacts. This narrow view can lead to policies that inadvertently hinder young people’s prospects and overall well-being. The causes of such problems are often intertwined with societal and governance structures. The most obvious are related to cultural norms and attitudes that marginalise young people’s perspectives. Young people are often perceived as lacking experience or understanding, leading to their exclusion from decision-making processes. These entrenched attitudes perpetuate the issue and create significant barriers for youth engagement. This leads to the exclusion of young people from governance and policy-making processes, in a way that it has become deeply ingrained in the structures of government. This lack of inclusion has made it challenging for young individuals to have their voices heard and contribute meaningfully to decision-making.

Commitment Description

What has been done so far to solve the problem?

The establishment of Agenzija Zghazagh, the national youth agency, marked a significant step towards addressing the problem of underrepresentation and insufficient consideration of young people’s perspectives in governance and policy-making. Since its inception in 2011, Agenzija Zghazagh has played a pivotal role in monitoring and mainstreaming youth policy, making the young person its primary client. This approach signified a substantial shift in recognising the importance of youth in the national policy landscape. Agenzija Zghazagh’s establishment can be considered a foundation for addressing the issue. It laid the groundwork for subsequent initiatives and solutions aimed at fostering youth engagement and ensuring their voices are heard in governance and policy-making processes. By creating an agency dedicated to youth affairs, Malta the government had set the stage for more targeted and effective measures to empower young people. In the context of the commitment outlined earlier, the introduction of a Youth Proofing system represents the next natural step in youth policy development in Malta. This innovative approach, which involves evaluating the impact of policies and legislation on young people, is a forward-looking solution that aligns with the principles of open governance and inclusivity. The success of Agenzija Zghazagh and other previous initiatives in addressing the underrepresentation of young people in governance and policy-making can be measured by the extent to which these initiatives have led to increased youth engagement, influenced policies, and resulted in tangible improvements in the lives of young individuals. Over the years, Malta has witnessed several groundbreaking achievements in youth policy, such as the regulation of the profession youth workers and the introduction of voting rights for 16-year-olds. In this regard while the specific outcomes and impact of these initiatives may require further analysis and evaluation, the fact that Malta continues to take progressive steps in youth policy development suggests a level of success in recognizing and addressing the problem at hand. The introduction of the Youth Proofing system, as outlined in the commitment, reflects a commitment to further enhancing youth engagement and ensuring that young people’s perspectives are considered in governance and policy-making processes.

Our solution

The proposed solution to tackle the problem of inadequate representation and consideration of young people’s perspectives in governance and policy-making through the implementation of a Youth Proofing system differentiates itself from past initiatives by adopting a forward-looking perspective, proactively assessing the potential impact of proposed legislation, policies, and strategies on young people. While previous efforts, including the establishment of Agenzija Zghazagh, laid the foundation for youth-centric policies, the Youth Proofing system takes a step further by comprehensively assessing the multidimensional aspects of youth impact. It aims to address the specific vulnerabilities that young people face, such as in education, employment, mental health, social inclusion, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies and emphasizes their overall well-being. However, it’s important to note that while this system represents a significant leap towards more youth-friendly governance, it may not entirely eradicate deeply rooted cultural and societal norms that marginalise young voices and hence the emphasis on a legal basis. Nevertheless, it contributes significantly to empowering and engaging young people in decision-making, resulting in policies that better align with their needs and aspirations.

Results we want to achieve by implementing this commitment

The implementation of the commitment to establish a Youth Proofing system in governance aims to as to create policies and legislation that genuinely consider the needs and aspirations of young people, resulting in youthcentered governance. Additionally, the commitment envisions a more engaged youth population, actively participating in shaping policies that directly impact them. By proactively addressing vulnerabilities in areas like education, employment, mental health, social inclusion, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, it aims to develop solutions that mitigate these challenges, ultimately leading to improved well-being for young individuals. The commitment prioritises evidence-based decision-making, ensuring that policies are grounded in objective information, promoting transparency and government accountability. Also, collaboration across government departments to comprehensively address youth-related issues is expected to result in more interconnected and effective solutions. Ultimately, the commitment empowers young citizens, granting them a sense of ownership over policies that influence their lives. Making the results of Youth Proofing assessments public enhances public understanding, enabling informed and active citizen participation in discussions about policies and strategies. Lastly, the commitment strives for holistic solutions that consider various dimensions of young people’s lives, going beyond immediate impacts to address deeper and more comprehensive aspects. In summary, these outcomes collectively aim to create a more youth-inclusive, engaged, and informed society, fostering policies and strategies that better cater to the needs and aspirations of young individuals.

Our Commitment Analysis

How will the commitment promote transparency?

The commitment to implement a Youth Proofing system in governance involves the sharing of open data and information, enabling public access to critical details related to the potential impact of policies and legislation on young people. Moreover, it promotes transparency by actively engaging representatives of young people in decision-making processes, ensuring that their voices and concerns are acknowledged and that the decision-making procedure is more accountable and open to scrutiny. In addition, the commitment may entail public consultations and feedback mechanisms, providing opportunities for the public to contribute their insights and opinions, thus making the decision-making process more transparent and inclusive. The commitment also encourages cross-sectoral collaboration to comprehensively address youth-related issues, promoting transparency by breaking down departmental silos and ensuring various stakeholders work together to find effective solutions. Lastly, the involvement of the Ministry for Justice in coordinating the Youth Proofing process adds an additional layer of transparency, ensuring that the procedure is managed efficiently and that expert insights, youth voices, and government involvement are effectively integrated into decision-making. In essence, the commitment seeks to boost transparency in governance by championing open data sharing, stakeholder engagement, consultations, the publication of impact assessments, cross-sectoral collaboration, and government oversight, collectively contributing to a more transparent, inclusive, and accountable decision-making process.

How will the commitment help foster accountability?

The commitment to establish a Youth Proofing system in governance serves as a catalyst for fostering accountability in various as it champions transparency by openly assessing and sharing the potential impact of policies and legislation on young people, creating a platform for clear accountability where stakeholders can review and scrutinise the decision-making process and its outcomes. The active engagement of young people and their representatives in the decisionmaking process further reinforces accountability, as decision-makers are held responsible for considering the perspectives and concerns of this demographic, and stakeholders can hold them accountable for addressing the issues raised during the process. Public consultations and feedback mechanisms, integral to the commitment, provide an avenue for the public, including young people, to voice their opinions and offer feedback on policies and legislation, thus compelling decision-makers to be accountable for incorporating public input. By making the results of Youth Proofing assessments public, the commitment holds decision-makers accountable for the potential consequences of their decisions, allowing the public to scrutinise the impact assessments and ensuring that decision-makers are answerable for their choices. Collaboration across government departments and agencies on youth-related issues enhances accountability by encouraging shared responsibility and accountability among various entities working toward common objectives.

How will the commitment improve citizen participation in defining, implementing, and monitoring solutions?

The commitment to introduce a Youth Proofing system actively involves representatives of young people in the decision-making process, ensuring that youth have a voice in shaping policies that directly affect them, thereby enabling them to articulate their needs and aspirations and participate in the creation of solutions. Secondly, it incorporates public consultations and feedback mechanisms, which empower citizens, including young people, to provide input and feedback on policies and legislation. This participatory element allows citizens to define solutions by sharing their perspectives and concerns, and they can also monitor how their input is integrated into the decision-making process. Thirdly, the commitment encourages cross-sectoral collaboration among government departments and agencies, allowing citizens to participate in solutions by collaborating with various governmental bodies to develop comprehensive approaches to address the multifaceted challenges faced by young people. Furthermore, the publication of impact assessments ensures that citizens have access to information about the potential consequences of policies, allowing them to monitor the outcomes of decisions and assess whether the solutions implemented align with their expectations and needs.

Commitment Planning Milestones Expected Outputs Start Date End Date

Discussion between stakeholders to discuss possible youth proofing mechanisms | Identifying the mechanism for youth proofing | Jan - 2024 | June- 2024

Drafting proposal to introduce the identified youth proofing mechanism. | Youth proofing mechanism to be approved by Cabinet | July - 2024 | Dec – 2024

Public Consultation Process on the proposal to introduce the identified mechanism for youth proofing | Launch of the Public Consultation process on the introduction of a Youth Proofing Mechanism The feedback received will be analyzed and included in the finalised proposal | Jan - 2025 | June – 2025

Formulation of the final proposal to implement the agreed youth proofing mechanism | Implementation of the youth proofing mechanism framework | June - 2025 | Dec – 2025