According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, only 2% of parliamentarians globally are under the age of 30 and just 14% are under 40. The issue is exacerbated by policies in 73% of countries which restrict young people of voting age from running for office. Lack of representation raises the substantial risk of disconnecting an entire generation from their nations’ political processes.
The One Young World Politician of the Year Award was created in 2018 to recognise the most promising young politicians between the ages of 18-35 from around the world. The winners are selected based on the impact they are having in their home countries and how they have used their position to benefit young people specifically. It is the first global award recognising the work of young politicians and was launched to counter the low level of youth engagement in politics.
2020 Winners
Member of the European Parliament, Germany
Member of Parliament, Zimbabwe
Mayor of Stockton, United States
Member of the Philippines House of Representatives
Mayor of Maydan Wardak Province
2019 Winners
Hervé Berville
Spokesperson for La République En Marche!, France
Magid Magid
Green Party MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber & Lord Mayor of Sheffield, UK
Juan Guaidó
President of the National Assembly, Venezuela
Mbali Ntuli
Democratic Alliance representative, South Africa
Thórdís Kolbrún R. Gylfadóttir
Minister for Tourism, Industries and Innovation & Minister of Justice, Iceland
2018 Winners
Julius Fieve
Government Assembly Member, Ghana
Travis Robinson
Youngest MP to serve on a country’s legislative body in the Caribbean, Bahamas
Naisula Lesuuda
Member of the National Assembly, Kenya
Jordon Steele-John
Youngest Senator in Australian parliamentary history
Sayida Ounissi
Secretary of State for Vocational Training, Tunisia