Students and young Americans have long played an important role in the Democratic Party. While millennials represent our next generation of leaders, they realize that we can’t wait to tackle America’s foremost challenges.

The Democratic National Committee’s Youth Coordinating Council — commonly known as the Youth Council — was made an official council of the Democratic National Committee in December 2005, with a goal of increasing involvement of young people in the Democratic Party.

Every year since its creation, the Youth Council has become more active and engaged, and helped foster greater political involvement. Alongside College Democrats, who meet on campuses across the country, millennial Democrats are driving discussion and organizing on some of the most important issues facing young Americans today, including racial equality, college affordability, campus sexual assault policies, expanding access to health care, and tackling the threat of climate change.

Young people have had new opportunities to become more active with local and national Democrats, and help shape our party across the country for decades to come.

Democrats believe that everyone should have the opportunity to reach their full potential, which means breaking down social and economic barriers. We have proposed bold new investments in higher education and clean energy jobs for the 21st century, so that all Americans can learn and succeed.