What is the role of young people in the debate on development? They participate in the discussions, Marion Atieno Osieyo, a “Future Leader” at this year’s European Development Days (EDDs) says. However, their participation is usually only in a consultative manner or very late in the policy process. So, a way around this is through the use of social media, she claims, as it can contribute to break down the knowledge barriers often existing in development policy, riddled with jargon. ECDPM spoke to Atieno Osieyo and her colleague Shakira Choonara during the EDDs. The “Future Leaders” are young adults between 21-26 years chosen by the European Commission to voice their views at this year’s EDDs.