VOICES OF GEN Z

This book provides empirical evidence on youth engagement with peace, justice, and strong institutions (SDG 16). It takes a bottom-up approach to exploring the meaning and value of global citizenship and social cohesion. It showcases three studies about how the younger generation interprets SDG 16, EU Climate policies (such as the European Green Deal) and the goals of The Hague as the International City of Peace and Justice. The city of The Hague is dedicated to the promotion of peace, justice, inclusivity and security and yet it is one of the most segregated cities in the Netherlands. This book challenges the assumptions that young people are uninterested in local decision-making or lack the competence to contribute to improving their neighborhoods. It gives voice to young people, generation Z (13-25 years old), in disadvantaged and advantaged areas in The Hague examining the experiences they have, their views in contrast with those of educators and policymakers in The Hague, and their views compared to different areas and age groups in The Hague. This book brings together multiple funded projects to discuss how we can engage young people in democratic processes including policymaking and societal challenges. It helps to bridge the gap between young people and policymakers and therefore speaks to policymakers, academics, students and lecturers on social cohesion, criminology, and social policies.

Rosa Groen was most recently interim Professor of Global Citizenship at TheHague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS) and a visiting scholar at Leiden University, the Netherlands, in 2024.

Tahir Abbas is Professor of Radicalisation Studies at the Institute of Security and Global Affairs at Leiden University in The Hague, the Netherlands.