Activism – vote for me

While University of Cambridge data shows that faith in democratic politics is lowest in 18-to-34-year-olds, the same generation can easily switch from demonstrations to digital campaigning on issues like climate change and race equality. How effective is this form of activism in rendering societal change? And what does it mean for democratic politics if the same generation is disillusioned by conventional party politics?

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Chair: Jackson Carlaw MSP, Convener, Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Panellists:

Erin Waldie is a member of the Young Women's Movement's advisory panel and a recent graduate from the University of Dundee with an MA in International Relations and Politics. She has volunteered for Girlguiding Scotland as a Speak Out Champion and spokesperson as well as taking part in the Young Women's Movement Young Women Lead in Dundee and the Empower Project's Empower Trustee's Programme. 

Dr Jan Eichhorn is a senior lecturer in Social Policy at the University of Edinburgh. A main area of his work is the political engagement of young people. He has conducted research on this in the UK and Germany and led several projects investigating the impact of the lowering of the voting age to 16 in Scotland. Jan also coordinates work in this field internationally and often contributes to policy and media debates, too.  

Mollie McGoran MSYP is the Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament and the MSYP for Inverness and Nairn where she has advocated for rural connectivity and women's rights with her social media campaign “Girls Just Wanna Be Safe”. As a former convener of the Transport, Environment and Rural Affairs committee, she campaigned passionately for climate justice and concessionary transport. She is also a full-time Scots Law student at the University of Dundee.