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 freedom of association, assembly and expression across several countries, and how each is changing
- Document young people’s rights to take part: voting and candidacy age, youth councils, their place in public consultations
- Analyse the law on public consultations and the routes through which an association contributes to public decisions
- Write comparative law briefs that prepare the lab’s debates, with the Debate Facilitator
- Support the Advocacy and Public Policy Lead on the legal framework of each public consultation in view, including the French HATVP’s interest representation rules where they apply
- Review the lab’s positions and analyses from a legal angle before they go to the editorial board
- Provide general legal information, and refer every individual situation to a lawyer
Tools to master
- Constitute Project: the world’s constitutions, compared
- Légifrance and EUR-Lex: legislation and case law
- Google Workspace: the lab’s shared drive, Docs and Meet
- Claude or ChatGPT: first comparative summaries, with every result checked by you
How we measure success
- Debates where every position rests on an accurate legal framework
- Legally sound contributions to public consultations
Profile we are looking for
- Studies in law, political science or public administration, in progress or completed
- An interest in civic freedoms and in comparing countries
- Clear, nuanced writing
- 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 in constitutional law, human rights or comparative law
- Experience in a non-profit, a youth council or a debating society
- Good English and French
What this role gives you
- Hands-on comparative public law, applied to real debates
- Legal briefs under your name, published once accepted by the editorial board
- Ongoing exchanges with young people from several continents about their freedoms
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.