Lucija Tacer Perlin participates in ODIHR event in Warsaw, 26 May 2026WARSAW, 27 May 2026 – OSCE PA Special Representative on Youth Engagement and Member of the National Assembly of Slovenia Lucija Tacer Perlin participated this week in the Political Party Peer Network Conference organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Warsaw. The conference was held within the framework of the Political Party Peer Network, chaired by ODIHR this year.
The two-day conference brought together members of parliaments, representatives of political parties, civil society, academia and international organizations to discuss political finance standards, anti-corruption measures, and youth political participation across the OSCE region and beyond. Discussions focused on strengthening democratic governance and promoting more inclusive political systems.
Tacer Perlin addressed participants during Session V on “Youth political participation: Barriers and pathways,” which examined the institutional dimensions of meaningful youth engagement in political processes. The session explored barriers preventing young people from participating in politics, good practices for strengthening youth representation, and ways institutions can better embed youth participation in their structures and decision-making processes.
In her remarks, Tacer Perlin reflected on her own experience as a young parliamentarian and highlighted the importance of creating meaningful pathways for youth engagement in political life through stronger participation mechanisms within political parties, parliaments and democratic institutions. She also presented the OSCE PA’s ongoing work to strengthen youth participation across the OSCE area, including through the Network of Young Parliamentarians, the Youth Perspectives initiative, and the Parliamentary Dialogue Platform on Youth, Peace and Security, which promotes exchanges among parliamentarians, experts and young people on advancing the YPS agenda.
“Young people do not want to be consulted only symbolically – they want to contribute, shape policies and take responsibility for the future of their societies,” Tacer Perlin said. “Parliaments and political actors must actively create spaces where young people can participate meaningfully, bring forward their perspectives and build trust in democratic institutions.”
The panel also featured representatives from political parties, youth organizations and international institutions, who exchanged views on how to address structural barriers to youth political participation and strengthen democratic inclusion across the OSCE area.
For more information on the work of the Special Representative on Youth Engagement, please click here.
