GREAT BAY-- Member of Parliament and 1st Vice President of Parliament Christopher Wever engaged with young leaders from St. Maarten, the Czech Republic, Spain and Latvia during the final conference of the Erasmus Plus Youth Participation Activity, “Fact & Act: Youth for Democracy,” where responsible communication by elected representatives emerged as one of the key themes.
The online conference marked the successful conclusion of the international youth activity, during which participants presented their final policy proposals developed through shared ambitions, teamwork and discussions on democracy, disinformation, media literacy, digital responsibility and youth participation.
MP Wever was invited as a guest speaker to provide feedback on the proposals and to place the ideas within the context of St. Maarten. His participation focused on the responsibility of elected officials to communicate carefully and truthfully, both to the public and within the halls of government institutions.
“Elected representatives have a responsibility to understand that our words carry weight, not only in Parliament but also in the wider community,” Wever said. “How we communicate can either build trust, encourage informed participation and strengthen democracy, or it can create confusion and division. Especially in a time when young people receive so much information online, public officials must lead by example, speak with care, verify information before sharing it, and remember that responsible communication is part of responsible leadership.”
The conference also included participation from Mr. Been Juurlink, who joined the meeting on behalf of Member of the European Parliament Willemien Koning of the Netherlands. His presence provided participants with additional insight into European-level democratic processes and how youth-driven policy ideas can connect to broader institutional discussions.
The event gave young leaders the opportunity to receive direct feedback from political representatives. Their proposals were presented, reviewed, discussed and evaluated, allowing participants to experience how ideas can move from youth dialogue into serious policy reflection.
At the same time, the guest speakers were able to hear directly from young people about their concerns, interests and ideas for strengthening democratic engagement. Organizers said this exchange represented an important step toward active citizenship, inclusion, international cooperation and democracy.
The “Fact & Act: Youth for Democracy” project was developed to help young people better understand how democracy works in practice and how they can actively contribute to it. The project responded to challenges such as disinformation, low youth engagement in politics and limited awareness of European institutions.
Throughout the activity, participants took part in workshops, debates, online seminars and international exchanges. They explored the role of the European Parliament, learned how policies are shaped and strengthened skills in leadership, negotiation, advocacy, media literacy and critical thinking.
A major part of the project was a European Parliament simulation, where participants stepped into the role of policymakers. Working in international teams, they debated, negotiated and drafted concrete policy recommendations aimed at addressing real issues affecting young people and democratic processes.
The policy proposals presented during the final conference covered several areas, including foreign affairs, culture and education, digital transformation and technologies, human rights and youth participation.
One of the strongest themes was the impact of disinformation on democracy. Participants noted that young people increasingly receive political information through social media platforms, short-form videos, influencers and algorithm-driven feeds. They warned that misleading information can shape political opinions, reduce trust in institutions and discourage civic participation.
The proposals also addressed the responsibility of public figures and elected officials in the digital age. Participants argued that politicians have powerful platforms through television, newspapers, radio and social media, and that these platforms can strongly influence how citizens understand public issues. They emphasized that political communication should be rooted in accurate information and that public officials should verify information before sharing it.
Other ideas included stronger media literacy programs, better fact-checking tools, clearer explanations of government and European institutional decisions, and more youth-friendly communication through platforms such as Instagram Reels and TikTok summaries.
Participants also highlighted the importance of trusted youth messengers, including youth leaders, influencers, student representatives and youth parliamentarians, who can explain democratic processes in simple and relatable ways.
The project further emphasized that youth participation should not be limited to elections or occasional events. Participants proposed more permanent channels for young people to share ideas, receive feedback and track whether their proposals are considered or adopted.
The “Fact & Act: Youth for Democracy” initiative was co-funded by the Erasmus Plus program of the European Union and represented by Caribbean Education and Culture Foundation in the Netherlands, Cesta rozvoje, z.s. in Czechia, ILEWASI in Spain and Youth for City, City for Youth in Latvia.
The project brought together young participants including Electa-Kyria Adams, Déyanne Carty, Draidahn Lico and others from the participating countries. Through activities held in the Czech Republic and St. Maarten, participants enhanced their media literacy, critical thinking and participation in democratic life.
Organizers said the final conference underscored that young people are not only observers of democracy, but active contributors with ideas, concerns and solutions that deserve to be heard.
