### Increased Participation Anticipated for the 2024 Children’s and Youth Consultation
This year, Baja California is set to see a significant boost in participation in the Children’s and Youth Consultation 2024, as the goal is to engage 215,451 minors, according to Liliana Díaz De León Zapata, executive vocal of the Local Executive Board of the National Electoral Institute (INE) in Baja California.
In the previous consultation held in 2021, 59,414 minors aged 3 to 17 participated, placing Baja California in the last position nationally. The target for 2024 is to elevate the state’s ranking to among the top 15 in terms of participation. To achieve this, the INE has partnered with the State Education Department to facilitate the consultation across all basic and upper secondary schools, communities served by the National Council for Educational Development (Conafe), shelters, and the State Penitentiary System Commission (Cesispe).
The consultation will be conducted through 113 physical booths, 3,847 remote booths, nine mixed-use booths with Conafe, 110 booths in shelters and homes, and three in Cesispe facilities. The event is scheduled to run from November 1st to November 30th, 2024.
### Related Developments in Youth Participation
To further expand the reach of the Children’s and Youth Consultation, additional educational and governmental collaborations are set to amplify outreach efforts. Local community engagement initiatives are being bolstered with informational campaigns aimed at informing and equipping youth and their guardians about the importance of participation.
Moreover, there are efforts to integrate digital tools to reach a wider audience, ensuring that even minors who are unable to attend physical locations can engage in the consultation process online. This initiative underlines the commitment to foster civic participation among young people and promote a culture of active citizenship throughout the country.
By enhancing the mechanisms for participation and making the process more accessible, the expectation is to set a precedent for future consultations and encourage a generation of informed and involved citizens.