Protests show that governments need to engage in dialogue with young people.

Valter Lima, from Sergipe 247 – Leaders of party youth wings, Jefferson Lima (national coordinator of the PT Youth) and Júnior Torres (state president of the DEM Youth in Sergipe) have been actively participating in discussions surrounding the protests that have taken to the streets of Brazil. In an interview with Sergipe 247, the two, who represent very different party lines, agree on several points about the results that the demonstrations can bring to young Brazilians.

“Political parties and governments need to engage more with young people and have a different perspective on the new languages ​​of youth movements,” says Jefferson Lima, former president of the PT Youth in Sergipe. According to him, those in power first need to understand the profile of young people and the issues they are demanding. The PT member also says it is important to “invite social movements into a dialogue and build ways to advance and resolve the demands presented in the demonstrations.” Among the demands are improvements in public services and a reform of the Brazilian political system.

Júnior Torres, in turn, says that "when the youth awaken, the government also awakens." For him, the ideal path is "to open dialogue, debate, and seek to expedite the approval of relevant issues such as political reform, since the main vices that weaken democracy and favor corruption are present in the current system." The Democrat also argues that the discussion on political reform should be broadened by the movements that are taking to the streets. He also reinforces the inclusion of the youth statute among the themes of the protests.

PARTY YOUTH AND 2014

The PT leader believes that the position of the party's youth wings, in the context of the demonstrations, should be "always social struggle." "We are participating in these demonstrations and raising the issues that we believe are necessary to radicalize democracy in Brazil and advance it even further," he stated. The DEM representative agrees: "The party's youth wings should not remain aloof from the debate." But he cautions: "What cannot happen is taking advantage of a non-partisan demonstration in favor of their own party."

And what impact will these demonstrations have on next year's electoral process? Júnior Torres says that, as a citizen, he hopes "that this indignation will be democratically and legitimately cast in the ballot box." Jefferson Lima emphasizes that the youth, which today comprises 50 million people, will play an important role in the 2014 elections. "A new youth, a new working class, that takes to the streets to demand more achievements, more progress," he stressed.

Check out both interviews in full:

Sergipe 247 - With demonstrations and protests taking to the streets, the feeling is that young people are willing to engage in dialogue and fight for improvements in Brazilian politics. What is your opinion on this? Will young people gain more prominence on the Brazilian political agenda?

Jefferson Lima (PT) - Certainly, with young people leading major mobilizations throughout Brazil and demanding more progress in Brazilian politics, parties and governments need to engage more with youth and adopt a different perspective on the new languages ​​of young people. In Brazil, we have a youth movement with a different profile than those involved in other major mobilizations that have occurred in the past.

Júnior Torres (DEM) - When the youth awaken, the government awakens too. The DEM Youth, in fact, made a motion of support. Today, the youth are certainly setting the agenda for all political debates. Governments are listening to the voices of the streets. In the Aracaju city hall, for example, demands are being debated, dialogue has been opened, the fare has been reduced, and the bidding process is underway.

247 - The list of demands from the current demonstrations is very broad. It has everything. How do you think the government officials (mayors, governors, and the president) can act to meet these demands?

Jefferson Lima (PT) - The demonstrations raise diverse issues and demands. Some, in my opinion, are mostly good proposals, and a few are bad. Governments first need to understand the profile of this youth and what issues they are demanding. Another important moment is to engage with social movements in dialogue and build ways to advance and resolve these demands presented in the demonstrations. Improvements in public services (health, education, mobility, security) and a reform of the Brazilian political system should be priorities for governments at all levels.

Júnior Torres (DEM) - Opening the dialogue, debating, and seeking to expedite the approval of relevant issues such as political reform, since the main flaws that weaken democracy and favor corruption are present in the current system.

247 - What should be the position of the party's youth wing in these demonstrations? How have you been behaving?

Jefferson Lima (PT) - The position of party youth groups, and especially ours, the PT Youth, is one of constant social struggle. Our actions have always involved mobilization on various fronts within the popular movement, the student movement, the cultural movement, and others. From the beginning, we have always participated in the fight for free public transportation and urban mobility issues, along with other movements throughout the country. We are participating in these demonstrations and raising the issues we believe are necessary to radicalize democracy in Brazil and advance it further.

Júnior Torres (DEM) - Party youth groups shouldn't remain aloof from the debate. The Democrats Youth of Aracaju even issued a motion of support. What they can't do is take advantage of a non-partisan demonstration in favor of their own party. I have been behaving as a citizen, participating, but without seeking personal gain.

247 - What impact will these demonstrations have on the 2014 elections? Why?

Jefferson Lima (PT) - A significant weight, formed by a segment that represents 50 million Brazilians. This demographic bonus of youth played an important role in the 2010 elections and will certainly play a role in the 2014 elections. A new youth, a new working class, a product of the PT-led government, which understood the changes of the last 10 years and is taking to the streets to demand more achievements, more progress.

Júnior Torres (DEM) - As a citizen, I hope that this outrage will be democratically and legitimately channeled into the ballot box.

247 - What is still missing from the agenda presented by the protests? What would you include?

Jefferson Lima (PT) - We must take advantage of these mobilizations and push for further progress. We need changes to the electoral system through political reform and public campaign financing, improvements in public services, democratization of the media ending the media monopoly, and the creation of conferences with broad popular participation to discuss and advance urban mobility in Brazil. Achieving a reduction in bus fares was important, but now we need a major national pact to advance on several other points regarding urban mobility.

Júnior Torres (DEM) - I didn't see any discussion about political reform or youth statutes; these are relevant topics. We must also emphasize our rejection of censorship, whether in the streets or on social media. After all, those who seek public life must be open to criticism. The Democratic Youth of Aracaju reiterates its support for any and all peaceful and orderly demonstrations, materialized through a motion.

247 - What has been the perception of the various youth groups in the country regarding these movements?

Jefferson Lima (PT) - The perception is mostly very positive. What we cannot accept is the presence of neo-fascist groups trying to change the character of the mobilizations and wanting to implement a scenario of fighting and vandalism in the streets. We believe that we can improve our country and the lives of the Brazilian people with a lot of popular pressure. The demonstrations of the last few weeks mostly present agendas necessary for changes in Brazilian politics. The parties, organized youth groups, and governments need to understand the message that these mobilizations are sending during the demonstrations.