In a statement released on the occasion of International Youth Day, the movement argues that “only with concrete actions and effective policies” will it be possible for “Portuguese youth to fully play their role in building a more just, inclusive, and sustainable society.”
The National Student Movement believes that strengthening democracy relies on greater youth participation, noting that in 2023 only about 40% of young people between 18 and 24 had participated in previous national elections, constituting one of the lowest rates in Western Europe.
Regarding employment, the organization emphasizes that “Portugal is below the European Union average in terms of creating qualified jobs for young people,” with a youth unemployment rate of about 19% while the general unemployment rate is just above six percent, stressing “the urgent need for more effective employment policies.”
Concerning education, the National Student Movement considers that early school dropout “is still worrying” in Portugal, despite recognizing “significant advances in the universalization” of higher education and progress in European rankings in this area.
On sustainability, the movement points to “significant challenges” in climate action and the importance of climate change as a social threat, and argues that “greater commitment” is needed in reducing carbon emissions and promoting renewable energies.
In terms of community, the representatives of higher education students value the country’s progressiveness in including foreign peoples, but note that “challenges still exist” in terms of discrimination in access to the labor market and integration.
“It becomes essential to recognize that young people are not only participants in the present but also the architects of the future. Devaluing this crucial role of youth would be an irreparable mistake,” concludes the National Student Movement.
