ABSTRACT
This chapter argues the various actions that can be taken to enhance and promote youth engagement. It describes a major policy initiative that is currently under way in Europe, which aims to promote young people’s levels of democratic engagement and participation by harnessing state education systems. The fact that some factors are specific to particular subgroups of youth is illustrated by national policies on migrant integration and naturalisation. The approach to the development of youth civic and political engagement that we have just sketched fits well with the perspective of Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory of human development. Interventions aimed at promoting the political knowledge, internal efficacy, political interest and participatory behaviour of youth can be delivered by a range of, including parents, schools and youth, community and religious organisations and associations. Public authorities could actually play a significant role in supporting parents in this endeavour.
