A Tenure to Cherish – Reflections from the Youth Advisory Board

by Dechen Rabgyal

On 28 April 2025, the second Youth Advisory Board (YAB) of the Women and Youth in Democracy Initiative (WYDE) Civic Engagement (WYDE Civic Engagement) of the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD) had its last meeting, completing its one-year term. EPD is a not-for-profit organisation. It works closely with the European Union. As the floor (virtual space) opened to share our reflections, Alexia observed, ‘I know who is going to speak.’ Reflecting on my past one year on the YAB, I found out that I have not been able to contribute as much as I would have liked it. To make up for the unmet expectations in me which is of course, a retrospective realisation, I committed to do a reflective piece to share the nurturing effect the YAB has had on me. As much as a personal recollection, my reflective piece might also have ripple-effects in that youth-driven and youth-support organisations may like to consider having such platforms established for the reasons I share in the ensuing paragraphs by way of reflections. To set the record straight about my engagement on the YAB, I share my motivation, first.

Listening with intent to understand.

On 29 April 2024, when I met with Jeremy and Alexia to discuss the terms of reference, I shared with them that my instant commitment is primarily to do with how grateful I am to the European Union, and the EPD working so closely with the EU. In 2011, after I completed my second year at Sherubtse College, I earned a place to study the European Union and International Law at the University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain under the aegis of Erasmus Mundus Exchange Programme, funded by the European Commission. The European Commission is one of the seven institutions of the European Union. It was my first trip outside Bhutan, and Spain my first international destination (excluding transits and travel for visa purposes). People in my circle tell me that I used to be quite sound in studies (academics) right from my primary school days. Even if that was a fact, at a certain stage, without exposure to the world beyond your village and classroom learning, one cannot really optimise one’s potential, if there was one to start with. After reaching Spain, I knew where I was. Retrospectively, my stint in Bilbao has empowered me to be a little courageous and bolder about life and ideals. It is with this and many other instances that I have deep appreciation of ‘Tendrel’–interdependent causation. One attribute alone can hardly take one anywhere. The Erasmus Exchange programme was another breakthrough for me creating an enabling condition for what I would go onto dream and aspire. And I wanted to give back. The EPD gave me a platform. As a student of Political Science, I would like to believe that such projects and grants have strategic interest. However, the fact stays – I benefitted significantly for which I shall remain grateful, always.

Members of the Youth Advisory Board, WYDE Civic Engagement (2024-’25).

The WYDE Civic Engagement is anchored on three pillars, viz., advocacy and research, capacity building of civil society and youth leaders, and Quick Impact Actions. The Youth Advisory Board had five members, three males and two females. Through monthly meetings and events, and in-person events we could attend in Brussels, I gained newer insights on how non-for-profit organizations bring the mission of a supra-national organisation in the EU closer to its project partners in other parts of the world – a story of an interconnected world. In my effort to give back, I gained insights into how structures such as Youth Advisory Board can have a meaningful impact at individual, organisational and societal level. I share my reflections following three broad temporal classifications, viz., immediate-term, medium-term, and long-term.

In the immediate term, the platform created space to share and hear perspectives of young minds. Topics such as climate change, health, education, trade and the like not only concern the adult population but also their younger counterparts. As much as youth are the future, they are present for the fact that those concerns are the concerns of young people as well. In the capacity of a member of the YAB, I worked closely in developing the Global Youth Participation Index. In that, I was able to provide feedback on indicators and selection of countries for the project. The exercise took me to different ladders of citizen participation, and my engagement made me feel I was treated as a partner, and my views valued. My views would go up to the European Commission through the European Partnership for Democracy. WYDE Strategic Steering Committee was another platform to know more about the overall WYDE project areas, namely, WYDE Women Leadership, WYDE Political Parties, WYDE Inter Pares, WYDE Freedom. The review and evaluation process allows one to listen to different perspectives which goes onto inform the subsequent policy actions.

A moment from a Group Discussion at the Global Gateway High-Level Youth Event.

In the medium term, structures such as advisory boards help build networks, a gateway to more learning, cooperation and collaboration. As Isac Newton acknowledged, “What we know is a drop, what we don’t know is an ocean,” it is in the multiplicity of colours, creed and culture that one gets to know a bit more about one very complex human world. I classify my interactions with different groups of people into three. First, the Members of the Youth Advisory Board. Over the course of twelve months, through monthly virtual meetings and two in-person meetings, we were able to forge deep connections. The engagement also gave insights into how region-specific socio-economic, cultural and political landscape shape youth engagement. Second, at the Global Gateway’s First High-Level Youth Event, in addition to EPD’s project partners, I could interact and connect with young people across the world- Asia, Africa, Latin America- working with the European Commission through Youth Sounding Board and other projects. The Youth Sounding Boards had played a pivotal role in formulating the Youth Action Plan. In them, I saw energy, drive and passion to bring about positive changes. Third, youth driven and youth-support organizations play pivotal roles in harnessing demographic dividend in young people. During the Global Gateway Youth Event, interactions with EU Delegations gave insights into how relevant ministries can build and connect with young people beyond national borders. At the WYDE Strategic Committee Meeting, I have had the opportunity to interact and engage with youth driven organisations and youth support organisations, working outside but closely with bureaucracy and state machineries.

A moment with the European Commission officials.

In the long-run, creating youth engagement platforms such as Youth Advisory Board within an organisational structure help prepare youth for the future, particularly in the areas of leadership. Best explained by ‘early social activation’, advisory roles position young people as ‘interlocutors’ in two spatio-temporal contexts. First, young people facilitate in bringing perspectives of young people to the table, making any interventions a bit more relevant and representative of the needs and aspirations of young people. It is very reasonable to believe an individual would know herself/himself more than anyone else. The same can be said of young people. Second, sitting on an advisory board entails an interface at different levels and with different counterparts. With EPD as a non-profit organisation working closely with the European Union, my engagement allowed me to understand the delegation, coordination and collaboration between government agencies (liberally interpreted, the European Union is similar to and equivalent to that of government in a country) and non-governmental organisations. Interactions and discussions with the European Commission officials gave insights into the structure and governance of a supra-national organisation. Further, discussions surrounding financial grants and support to young people and countries outside the European Union shed light into the institutional arrangements, international financial instruments and its flows. These interactions provided an understanding of the structure of the European Union, particularly in the areas of external partnerships. These experiences and exposure would position young people to build and prepare towards leadership portfolios in the future for they have got insights into the functioning of state machinery, non-government organisations and the like, however, scattered and minimal it be. For younger generations to surpass the age of their forerunners, engagement at various levels, therefore, is critical, and advisory boards can be one of the many structures at different tiers of governance.

Immersing into the Agenda of WYDE Strategic Steering Committee Meeting.

The overall experience was significantly amplified by warm hospitality extended by the European Partnership for Democracy’s focal persons at different points of time. As you read this piece, I still carry the warmth of Jeremy, Alexia and Celine. Many thanks. On our arrival, they would take us around the city and give minutiae details of Brussels which are not necessarily discernible to visitors. Through them, I learnt that Brussels not only has Manneken Pis but also Jeanneke Pis. I have always preferred depth to breath and tried to immerse myself in the places I go to. Being a student of history helps a bit. Visit to the Parlamentarium allowed one to understand history, now and here. Travelling by train from London to Brussels was another experience which made me recount my participation in a quiz competition when I was in Class XII. I was asked if one can travel by land transport from the United Kingdom to India. Given my knowledge of Geography that the United Kingdom is an island country, my answer was instant ‘No.’ I got it wrong. I lived the answer in 2024. It took me to Brussels. Widely regarded as the de facto capital of Europe, there could be a very few places other than Brussels better suited to know Europe of today and tomorrow. It was a tenure to cherish!