Outside the Box: Amplifying youth voices and views on YPS policy and practice

Not thirty pesos, but thirty years: youth and the quest for constitutional change in Chile

In October 2019, Chile experienced widespread protests triggered by an increase in subway fares. What started as student-led fare evasion quickly grew into a national movement demanding a new social contract and addressing broader discontent with Chile’s democratic transition. This Policy Brief examines youth participation in these protests and the subsequent constitution-making process, drawing on interviews with four young Chileans who were actively involved.  The Brief highlights the importance of a youth-centred approach to constitutional change, detailing both the opportunities and challenges faced by young people as well as their perception of the process's relevance in addressing the legacy of authoritarianism and shaping Chile’s democratic future. The paper emphasises that meaningful youth engagement involves more than just representation; it requires substantial influence throughout the process. The paper also explores how a youth-centred approach can enhance democratic participation and constitutional transformations.

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Authors

Elena Maffioletti Arratia
Elena Maffioletti Arratia is a young professional with broad experience in human rights, transitional justice, memory, citizen participation, and gender issues. She participated in various instances of dialogues and self-convened town hall meetings during the second half o 2019, and she engaged with the constituent process that followed through civil society initiatives. The importance of the constitution-making process and its impact in the political and social dynamics of her country sparked her interest in exploring youth participation in and perceptions of the process through this Policy Brief. Elena holds a Master’s degree on Human Rights and Humanitarian Action from the Institut d’Études Politiques Sciences Po (France), and a Degree in Social Sciences and Political Science from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. Currently, she works at the Museum of Memory and Human Rights (Chile) and at the non-profit civil society organisation Momento Ciudadano.
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