In a particularly challenging year that initially sought to focus on the economic and social recovery from the repercussions of the Covid19-pandemic, on an ambitious climate diplomacy agenda and the resilience of civil society and democracy, the youth engagement process Youth7 realigned its work programme in early spring: Escalating violence in the war of aggression against Ukraine, severe economic uncertainties for the public and private sector and a looming global hunger crisis posed additional challenges to the cooperation within the G7 and the youth policy dialogue that accompanied it.
The preamble of the Youth7 Communiqué 2022 outlined the ambitions to engage with the German G7 Presidency: “We strive for a world that is stronger together and call for the strengthening of multilateral cooperation based on shared values, mutual respect and justice.” This further served as a mission statement for the collaboration of the young representatives throughout the process. Delegates, four representatives per G7 member, closely accompanied the G7 dialogue with their own policy recommendations and political demands, by participating in high-level events and in exchange with fellow engagement groups. In addition, Delegations from Indonesia, Senegal, South Africa and Ukraine also participated in this year’s youth engagement process.
The highlight of the year was the Youth7 Summit in Berlin from May 16 to 20, 2022. Delegates convened in person, to finalise the negotiations on the Youth7 Communiqué, their central policy document and joint position. A high-level exchange with Federal Minister for Youth, Ms Lisa Paus, meetings across the capital’s political scene as well as an extensive conference programme, set further impulses for the deliberations. Finally, the unanimously adopted Communiqué was handed over to Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who joined the Summit for an exchange with Delegates.
In the run-up to the Summit, Delegates regularly met online and discussed over the course of three months their areas of focus for their own policy deliberations as well as potential responses to the priorities of the G7 Presidency. Their work in the preliminary negotiations and the exchanges with external experts and researchers as well as guests from Federal Ministries, swiftly formed the basis for the final debates to be held in Berlin. United in the goal to present their joint demands as expressed in the Youth7 Communiqué to heads of state and government as well as decision-makers in governments and parliaments, Youth7 Delegates pursued appointments throughout the year and contributed to numerous debates on panels and with interventions. Highlights included the participation at the G7 Labour and Employment Ministers Meeting, the G7 Climate, Environment and Energy Ministers Meeting and the Gala Evening of the G7 Gender Equality Ministers, at the invitation of Federal Minister Lisa Paus.
In parallel to the dialogue structure among the G7 members, the working groups in Youth7 were coordinated by Sherpa, who guided the international Delegations on their path towards the Youth7 Summit in May 2022. Co-Chairs Carolina Claus and Benjamin Günther have led eight young adults, who volunteered to serve as Track Sherpa. All young leaders involved, contributed their experience and knowledge from previous roles and forms of engagement in international youth work and youth participation processes.
Even though the G7 Leaders’ Communiqué fell short of Youth7’s expectations and failed to reference young people altogether, Youth7 nevertheless succeeded in placing key concerns such as support for the mental health of young people on the political agenda. Further, the advocacy efforts pushed for a broader discourse on the Youth, Peace and Security agenda.
In concluding the youth engagement process, Parliamentary State Secretary Sven Lehmann, highlighted the relevance of Youth7 beyond the G7 Presidency:
