AUF leader Astrid Hoem to open summer camp at Utøya focusing on young male voters’ engagement

AUF has consistently been a strong voice in the fight for equality. “We must be just as clear about the challenges young boys face,” says AUF leader Astrid Hoem. On Thursday, she will open the youth organization’s summer camp at Utøya, which is expected to attract approximately 1,000 participants. This year’s theme focuses on how AUF can win back young male voters.

Recent statistics show that only 7% of men under 25 voted for the Labour Party in the last election, with nearly 60% supporting either the Conservative Party or Progress Party. These two center-right parties also performed significantly better in last year’s school elections and generated far greater engagement on TikTok during their campaign compared to other youth parties.

Hoem emphasizes the need for AUF to engage in the debate more boldly. “We are now on TikTok and gaining followers, but it’s not just about that platform. Many young people may become the first generation with fewer opportunities than their parents,” she states, adding that AUF and the Labour Party must be close to the issues faced by the youth and provide solutions, whether it concerns access to the housing market or dealing with pressure and stress in schools.

In a subtle critique of the social media strategies of center-right parties, she says, “They act like life coaches on TikTok, suggesting that it’s purely a matter of working hard enough to afford housing or an apprenticeship. It is a political responsibility to ensure everyone has the opportunity to succeed, a responsibility they fail to acknowledge.”

As she prepares to open this year’s camp, it will mark her final event in her role as AUF leader. Hoem previously announced that she would step down at the national meeting in October after four years in the position. “It’s a bit bittersweet. I attended my first summer camp in 2010 and have been active in AUF for half my life,” she reflects, urging the Labour leadership to always listen to the youth organization, as their insights often prove correct in the end.