European youth take to the streets: is Gen Z losing faith in politics?
The European public broadcaster ARTE examines youth protests from Portugal to Poland in a video programme. The complaints vary, but they share a common thread: hopes for a better future and a loss of faith in politics and democracy.
The European public broadcaster ARTE has devoted its weekly video programme to young people who are taking to the streets in countries across the continent, from Portugal to Poland, in the hope of a better future. The programme asks whether Generation Z, the youngest adult cohort, is losing faith in politics in Europe.
Different grievances, one common theme
The complaints raised by young people are varied and touch on education, housing and jobs. All of them, however, share one theme: hope for a better future. The programme's makers note that this principle is increasingly tied to a loss of faith in politics and even in the current form of democracy.
Political response and an open question
The protests across the continent may have prompted political reactions and a fresh wave of promises. Still, the programme raises the question of whether these events will lead to substantial change.
About the programme
The weekly programme is produced by ARTE and is published in ten languages thanks to cooperation with several European media outlets: El País (Spain), Gazeta Wyborcza (Poland), Internazionale (Italy), Kathimerini (Greece), Le Soir (Belgium), Telex (Hungary), Ir (Latvia), Balkan Insight (the Balkans) and Sinopsis (Romania). The project is funded by the European Union from European Media Platforms funds.
