The final event in the Committee for Adelaide’s 2026 Democracy Series brought together members, stakeholders and a strong contingent of young leaders to explore the future of democratic participation with Dr Nick Bordeleau, Research Fellow at the Jeff Bleich Centre for Democracy and Disruptive Technologies.
A key message from the discussion was that young people cannot be treated as a single audience. Rather than pointing to one broad “democratic disconnect”, the research highlighted the diverse experiences, influences and motivations shaping how different groups of young people engage with democracy.
As Dr Bordeleau observed, “You cannot treat a condition that you have misdiagnosed.”
The conversation also challenged participants to rethink how future generations are educated and engaged. This means moving beyond “book-smart” civic education towards a more “street-smart” approach that equips young people with the critical thinking, digital literacy and practical understanding needed to navigate increasingly complex information environments.
Despite the challenges, the discussion offered a strong sense of optimism. Australia, and South Australia in particular, has a proud history of democratic innovation and is well placed to develop bold, evidence-based approaches that strengthen participation, trust and civic engagement for future generations.
We were especially pleased to welcome a number of young people to the event, including representatives from the SA Youth Forum. We thank them for their ongoing engagement with the Committee for Adelaide and for sharing their perspectives during this important conversation.
Our sincere thanks also go to Dr Nick Bordeleau for his compelling and insightful contribution.
As the 2026 Democracy Series concludes, we acknowledge Major Series Partner Hays for its continued support, along with Flinders University, the Jeff Bleich Centre for Democracy and Disruptive Technologies for delivering a thought-provoking program that has encouraged important conversations about the future of democracy.
