Youth Political Participation

June 22, 2021

Speak Youth to Power: Inspiring a New Social Contract

As the world begins the slow process of rebounding from the COVID-19 pandemic, societies must work harder than ever to safeguard democratic governance and overcome sustainable development challenges rooted in systemic inequality and exclusion. Because young people are disproportionately impacted and have the most to lose, their political participation and inclusion are pivotal. There are over 1 billion young people between the ages of 15 and 24 worldwide - half of whom are young women - with diverse lived experiences and political interests.

June 10, 2021

Candidate Debates: Setting the Stage for Libya’s Political Future

Libya is preparing to hold national elections on December 24, 2021, offering an opportunity to continue the country’s democratic transition after years of violence and political stalemate. In the Tripoli region, Libyans recently practiced their civic engagement during a series of municipal elections held from January to April 2021.

June 14, 2021

Citizens Advisory Groups Make Inroads with Regional Policy-Makers in Morocco

In 2015, Morocco began an initiative to shift governing power from a national, more centralized model, to a regional model, in part to strengthen citizen trust and participation in government processes. Without adequate outreach, communication, and citizen consultation, though, regional government has, at times, been just as inaccessible as national politics.

Remarks by NDI President Derek Mitchell at the Launch of Speak Youth to Power Campaign

Remarks by NDI President Derek Mitchell

Launch of the Speak Youth to Power Campaign

June 3, 2021

Hello everyone. My name is Derek Mitchell, and I’m privileged to serve as President of the National Democratic Institute.

For nearly four decades, NDI has worked with partners from every corner of the globe to strengthen the institutions, processes, norms and values that underwrite democracy.

YALA Training Toolkit

This toolkit -- Youth Activism for Lebanese Accountability: An Inclusive Civic Engagement Training Curriculum -- is about creating change through activism and accountability. It is about creating change at the individual, institutional, and socio-political level by providing young people with the knowledge and skills to help shape the future of their country. It was developed at a time when the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) was witnessing the second wave of mass protests movements led by youth and women.

December 18, 2020

Lebanese Youth Debate Finale Highlights the Challenge of Emigration

With their country already racked by corruption, economic depression, and a healthcare system crippled by the COVID-19 pandemic, Lebanese could not see how their situation could get any worse. Then came the devastating Port of Beirut explosion on August 4, 2020.

November 3, 2020

Palestinian Youth Advocate for Change during COVID-19

Palestinian youth are often associated with the uprisings of the first and second Intifadas and are seldom celebrated as changemakers in their local communities. Today’s young Palestinians are eager to participate in formal political processes and contribute to achieving long-lasting and meaningful changes in their communities. Despite their enthusiasm, youth face severe challenges in finding positive avenues to make their voices heard and communicate their needs to decision-makers.

October 5, 2020

Building an Effective Parliamentary Training System in Georgia

Building an Effective Parliamentary Training System in Georgia

‘We want a homeland’--Iraqis Assess Anti-Government Protests and Their Country’s Path Forward

‘We want a homeland’--Iraqis Assess Anti-Government Protests and Their Country’s Path Forward

The National Democratic Institute (NDI) recently completed a series of focus groups and key informant interviews in Iraq to identify public views and perceptions about the anti-government protests, assess the response of the government and other stakeholders, and explore a potential path forward.

Women and Youth Will Be Key to Armenia’s Democratic Success

“As a new democracy, Armenia faces a long road ahead,” said Ambassador Derek Mitchell, President of the National Democratic Institute, at the conclusion of a visit to the country. “But it’s clear the country already has at its disposal an abundance of ingredients for success. Chief among these are fresh democratic energy from a new generation of leaders, an increasing number of politically-active women and youth, and the support of the international community of democracies.”