Two new leaders have stepped up to direct the Young Forwardist’s Policy Team, Rowan Brown and Emma Boufadel. Both already long-time Forward members and knowledgeable in the process of passing policy, their transition to leadership was quick. Within a few days of taking charge, the pair presented about their team’s operations and goals before a national delegation of Forward leaders and political activists at the Forward Party Annual Policy Summit.

The time crunch to prepare their presentation required late-night Zoom calls, furious typing, and the editing and re-editing of the points the two young leaders wished to address. Both Boufadel and Brown agree that there was one thing that motivated them through such a hectic timeline: their commitment  to sharing opportunities for  youth policy engagement with the world. On February 12th, 2026, the day of their presentation, Boufadel and Brown went beyond embodying the broad Forwardist traits of collaboration and innovation. They discussed specific, foundational, and technical information on how the Young Forwardist policy team worked. They gave examples from the policy team’s past seasons, such as its state-level policy initiatives like election accountability reform and domestic violence shelters. 

Their presentation also included ideas on how to increase the policy team’s future level of success and engagement. This is something the leaders continued to think about even after the presentation was over. Brown emphasizes starting where you have strength. “Start where you have power and build from there. You don’t have to do it alone.” Brown gave an example, “If you’re trying to start at the municipal level, who are your friends? Start with a connection, with an organization, with the local Republican or Democratic Committee that might be sympathetic to your issue.” 

Boufadel agreed, and added, “Something more specific to us is placing emphasis on being young. Being a youth group, we have so many unique advantages. People want to hear us talk more, they want to hear us involved…That’s something that makes the Young Forwardists and its policy team special.” 

Youth, indeed, is a major point of discussion. After listening to Boufadel and Brown’s presentation, members of the national delegation wanted to know: how could they increase youth engagement within their own initiatives? Boufadel and Brown’s answer was to make participation simple, easy, and fun. Young people have unmatched energy and ideas, but we also have busy schedules and a plethora of high school or college responsibilities. When it comes to political engagement, the hardest part is getting started. Brown stated that incentives like food and community could help young people overcome the “first initial barrier to involvement and education.” Boufadel gave a personal anecdote, “I drag my friends to political events and then they just realize, ‘oh, it’s easier than I thought.’ Breaking down that first barrier is the most vital thing you can do to get somebody involved. Once you do that, it gets easier and easier.” Going to town meetings, reaching out to local congress members, drafting policy, these are hard things. But the Young Forwardist chapters, and Forwardist chapters, are aiming to make it more accessible to youth by providing community events, support and fun.  

In the midst of seasoned political activists and national Forward Party leaders, Rowan Brown and Emma Boufadel not only held their own, but contributed countless fresh perspectives and ideas. Their successful presentation during the Summit was a representation of the Policy Team, the Young Forwardists, and our youth as a whole.