This policy lab brings together researchers, policymakers, and civil society actors to develop liberal policy responses to the growing gender divide among young people, with the strongest ideas contributing to an upcoming ELF policy paper.
As a part of ELFs work on gender equality a policy paper is currently being drafted focusing on young men and women’s differing opinions, also known as the gender divide. Young men and women across Western democracies are increasingly living in different social, cultural and online realities, which shape their beliefs and opinions. Studies show that men are becoming increasingly conservative and women increasingly progressive, at the same time as loneliness is growing and less relationships are being formed.
This development risks amplifying polarization and gender inequality. While the issue is receiving growing attention, the debate is heavily dominated by polarizing narratives, often from far-right conservative actors. There is a lack of constructive liberal perspectives and policy solutions that address the gender divide while promoting individual freedom, mutual respect, and equality.
This policy lab brings together researchers, policymakers, and civil society actors to develop liberal policy responses to the growing opinion divide among young people. The aim of the event is not to discuss the problems or causes of gender inequality but to generate concrete, actionable and liberal policy ideas that can strengthen gender equality, mutual understanding and trust between the genders. The best policy solutions generated by the event will be included in the upcoming ELF policy paper on the topic.
10:30 Start of the event
Speakers: Alva Finn, Executive Director at ELF, and Lisa Lundgren, Research Fellow at ELF
10:40: Policy lab
Thematical groups:
12:10: Big group discussion and summarizing the findings of the working groups.
12:30 Networking lunch
13:30 End of the event