Civic space & debate
The lab · The New Agora Lab
The New Agora Lab is a debating space where young people from around the world compare their views, argue and build their own positions on the issues that matter to them: citizenship, equality, mental health, social bonds.
Discover the labAssignments
- Study democratic institutions and their relationship with young people: representation, participation, trust
- Analyse the public policies that affect young people in several countries: education, employment, mental health, housing
- Gather the policy evaluation literature and draw out what works, for whom and under what conditions
- Prepare sourced debate briefs for the Debate Facilitators
- Write policy briefs with the Advocacy and Public Policy Lead, drawing on the debates and published analyses
- Follow public consultations on youth policy and flag those where young people’s voices count
- Work with the Civic Engagement Analyst, who follows participation and gathers young people’s voices; you bring the analysis of institutions and policies
Tools to master
- OECD, World Bank and national evaluation databases: data and policy studies
- OpenAlex and Google Scholar: academic literature
- Google Workspace: the lab’s shared drive, Docs and Meet, with NotebookLM for sources
- Claude: first literature summaries, with every result checked by you
What you will deliver
- Policy briefs ready for advocacy
- Sourced debate briefs
- Analyses submitted to the editorial board
Profile we are looking for
- Studies in political science, public policy, economics or sociology, in progress or completed, or equivalent experience
- Methodological rigour and a feel for nuance
- Clear writing that makes a policy understandable and open to debate
- Even-handedness in presenting positions
- Open to adults aged eighteen and over
A volunteer role, open to young people
Every role we offer is fully voluntary. The experience we ask for can come from a course, a student project, an internship, volunteering or a personal project: every skill counts, wherever you gained it. Our roles are designed first and foremost for young people, and we weigh your motivation and potential as carefully as your track record. Want to be part of something big? Apply.
Nice to have
- A course or dissertation in policy evaluation
- Experience in a youth council, a non-profit or a public institution
- Good English and French
What this role gives you
- Briefs and analyses under your name, once accepted by the editorial board
- Practice in policy analysis, useful in public administration, international institutions or research
- Work with young people from several continents who debate the policies that shape their lives
Applications open until ; a new cycle follows
Applications open in forty-five-day cycles, each followed by the next. YouthShare reserves the right to close this listing as soon as the right person is found. We therefore encourage you to apply now.
The one-year commitment
A non-profit project is built over time. Every volunteer therefore commits for at least one year: time to settle in, carry the assignment through and pass on what they have learned. The weekly time depends on the role and is given in each role description.
How selection works
Online application
You choose a role, present your background and attach your CV. A confirmation email gives you your reference.
Profile review
The Talent team reads every application, matches it with the needs of the role and sends you a first reply by email within three days on average.
Video interview
A conversation to get to know each other and shape the assignment together.
Decision and arrival
You receive our answer by email, followed by a welcome to the team and access to its tools.
Know the right person?
Recommend this role to them: they receive an email from YouthShare that presents it, with your name and the link to apply. You can also share the listing on your networks.