INITIALIZATION OF CIVIC IDENTITY OF YOUTH IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Abstract

The paper considers the signs of initialization of the civic identity of young Ukrainians, which give grounds to believe that the problems of its preservation and reproduction should be the focus of scientific discourse. Two different axes of civic identity have been identified, which is particularly relevant under conditions of black and white shades of russia's war against Ukraine: from congruence to disjuncture. It has been substantiated that young people build a civic identity from the available materials, and these materials are different for young people from different communities. Civic tendencies of young people are based on their everyday experience in certain social, economic, institutional, political and historical contexts. It has been proven that actors involved in the process of building a civic identity should develop practices encouraging young people to struggle with both congruence and the disjuncture they experience, and ensuring a more meaningful civic education that helps young people to construct critical but engaged civic identities. It has been found that civic identity is an incentive for active participation of citizens in public administration, strengthening social consolidation and supporting the stability of the country. The conditions for creating an enabling environment for young people to influence the decisions and policies that affect them have been studied. The need to implement the UN strategic priority – the "Generation Unlimited" motto – has been emphasized, and it has been shown that young people face stigma associated with their traits and impact on society. The stigma fuels policies that marginalize young people and call for safety measures against them, rather than promoting more favourable solutions that allow them to participate positively in the life of society. It has been substantiated that the participation of young people in public administration is also represented in their involvement in decision-making processes that influence their lives through school boards, student unions, youth clubs, national youth parliaments, regional and international youth forums and advisory councils of international organizations.