Gaute Skjervø addresses youth engagement at AUF summer camp in Utøya

At the annual summer camp for the youth wing of Norway’s Labour Party (AUF), Gaute Skjervø, the deputy leader, emphasized the need for open dialogue regarding men’s issues, especially when it comes to engaging young male voters. Amidst a packed audience at Utøya, he highlighted a troubling statistic: during the 2023 local elections, only 6% of men aged 20 to 25 voted for the Labour Party, while a striking 56% backed their rivals, the Conservative Party and the Progress Party.

In the recent school elections, the right-wing parties demonstrated significant appeal, with 21.9% of high school students voting for the Conservatives and 19.5% for the Progress Party. This trend is echoed among influencers invited to the camp, including TikTok personalities who communicate effectively with young audiences. Influencer Gard Øksendal, also known as Mankegard on TikTok, reached out to discuss how to attract young male voters.

Skjervø pointed out a communication gap in how the Labour Party addresses issues that concern men, indicating that the party has successfully portrayed itself as a leader in the fight for women’s equality but has failed to engage similarly on men’s issues. He criticized the current school system for favoring those who excel in traditional academic environments, leaving many boys disengaged.

The panel titled “What do we do about boys?” garnered significant interest. Influencers observed that the right-wing has been quicker to address boys’ challenges, making left-wing responses seem less authentic. AUF’s leadership expressed the need to develop a relevant language to effectively communicate with young men about their concerns.