What can you do as a minor?
Whilst as a minor you may not be able to exercise your right to vote, stand for election, or take part in public initiatives, you still possess a range of rights to civic participation. As such, you may, amongst other things:
- request information from public bodies
- express your opinion freely, including participation in protests, demonstrations, and strikes
- take part in public discussions
- take part in non-governmental organisations, including political parties
- volunteer
You have a right to exercise these rights to the same extent as adults, except on limited occasions where legal capacity may be required.
One way to exercise these rights is through a youth council. Youth council is a participatory council with advisory rights consisting of young people operating at a rural municipality or a city council. The purpose of a youth council is to discuss issues concerning young people within the competence of the rural municipality or city and to make proposals based on the needs and interests of young people.
In order to achieve this objective, the youth councils:
- hold meetings
- provide training opportunities for members of the youth council
- introduce and promote the principles of democracy amongst young people
- participate in the meetings of the rural municipality or city council
- participate in the work of rural municipality or city council committees
- cooperate with youth councils of other cities and/or rural municipalities
- represent young people at events at local, county, national or international level
The rural municipality or city council should consult the youth council in planning, carrying out and evaluating youth work.