The document outlining ten causes of the ‘Generation 26′ movement, supporting Luís Marques Mendes’ candidacy for the Presidency of the Republic, was presented today in Almada, the birthplace of moto GP rider Miguel Oliveira, the sports advocate participating in the session.
The “climate agenda” is one of the ten causes championed by the movement’s youth. They propose that the “President of the Republic incorporate a permanent Climate Impact Assessment mechanism in the enactment of laws affecting the environment, enhancing the President’s role as a guarantor of sustainability.”
Other causes in the document include “housing,” “artificial intelligence,” “gender equality,” “representation in democracy,” “emigration, employment, and salary,” “child protection,” as well as “education and culture,” “sovereignty and Europe,” and “mental health and sports.” According to the candidacy, the document is initially supported by 100 young people, with the expectation of growth.
Regarding housing, it is proposed that “the President of the Republic sponsor a control and evaluation panel with representatives of all parties involved in the housing sector — landlords, tenants, developers, funds, local authorities, and the third sector — aiming to find concrete solutions for affordable housing.”
“This panel will issue semi-annual reports with clear goals and sharing of best practices, culminating in an annual event to review and renew commitments,” it adds.
On representation in democracy, they propose a “Youth Voice in Belém,” which means “an advisory group composed of young people from across the country and various sectors, meeting periodically with the President of the Republic to present diagnoses, priorities, and proposals on structural issues.”
In the area of “emigration, employment, and salary,” these young people suggest the President of the Republic sponsor the launch of the “Generation to Stay” initiative. This includes “a participatory drafting of a Youth Charter to the Nation, a major National Meeting with young people and decision-makers, and the annual publication of a Presidential Report on Youth and Future, focusing on employment, salaries, precariousness, and youth emigration.”
They also advocate for presidential sponsorship of an annual forum on Artificial Intelligence, a summit for gender equality, and a youth mental health summit. They urge the head of state to engage in child protection, with foster care campaigns, marking April as the month for preventing abuse, and “advocating for the creation of the Children’s Ombudsman.”
The document also proposes the establishment of the “Network of Living Education and Culture,” an annual initiative with visits to schools, cultural centers, universities, and local projects nationwide. It includes the President’s sponsorship of a “European Youth and Defense Academy,” a civic-military program of annual training for Portuguese and European youth, featuring theoretical and practical experiences on security, sovereignty, and peace, concluding with the drafting of the Charter of Youth for Sovereignty and Defense of Europe.”
