French Towns Empowerโ Youth with Municipal Councils, Cultivating Future Civic Leaders
A growing number of french municipalities are โคestablishing children’s municipal councils (CMJs), offering young residents a direct voiceโ in localโ governance and fostering aโค new generation of engaged citizens. โคThese councils,which began appearing โin the late 1970s,are gaining traction as communities recognize their value in shaping policies that impact youth and building a stronger democratic foundation for the future.
The firstโข CMJ was created inโค Schiltigheim, bas-Rhin, in โข1979, and the model hasโข since spread across France. While the exact number โremains unknown-a โฃ2021 studyโ by the National Institute of Youth โฃand Popularโข Education โ(INJEP) recorded at least 1,458 in 2018, acknowledging this is a minimum due to incompleteโฃ survey responses-the trend demonstrates a clear commitment to youthโ participation. According to Jean-Marc Treuil, โข”animation” director of the Anacej, an association supporting municipalities in โestablishing youth โขcouncils, CMJs are not simply advisory bodies. Theyโ represent “a formidable opportunity to train โcitizens who, โtomorrow, will โbe actors of localโค democratic life.”
These councils provide a โplatform for โคyoung people to express their opinions on issues directly affecting them, โคsuch as education, โฃleisure activities, โฃand local infrastructure. Municipalities benefit from gaining valuable insights into the needs and perspectives of their โขyounger constituents,leading to more effective and relevant public policies. The councils typically work by consulting with local โฃofficials,proposing initiatives,and participating inโ the decision-making process.
The rise of CMJs โreflects a broader recognition of the importance of civicโค education andโ youthโ engagement in a democratic society. By involving young people in local governance, communities โare โinvesting in the future of their โคdemocracy and empowering the next generation โฃto become activeโข and responsible citizens. โ As Treuil notes,โข thisโ is particularly crucialโข today, suggesting a growing need for proactive civic development.