Youth leading the way on open governance in Liberia

“Without the voices of young people—who make up the majority of the population—there can be no open governance.” Theo Dowetin, the European Partnership for Democracy team lead in Monrovia, could not have said it better at our recent OGP co-creation event with young people in Liberia. As the world seeks sustainable solutions to global challenges like climate change, poverty, and democratic regression, the inclusion of young people in decision-making has become more important than ever. When given voice and agency, young people bring fresh ideas and the energy needed to drive positive change and impact. In governance, this inclusion ensures [...]

2024-12-13T14:41:18+00:0013th December 2024|

Yuguelito: Housing, Self-Governance & Accountability

Access to decent housing is emerging as one of Mexico's significant global challenges. This is especially true after the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw increased speculation and a wave of global north digital nomads that favored the country's urban centers. However, the housing crisis is not a new issue. In Mexico, housing is deemed a private investment opportunity and not a right. Existing public policies aren’t focused on providing housing, but instead, they’re focused on favoring the real estate market. While it is true that decades ago, large social housing projects were put in place, and public policies focused on granting [...]

2024-06-27T11:46:33+00:0027th June 2024|

Yuguelito: Vivienda, Autogestión y Rendición de Cuentas

El acceso a una vivienda digna se perfila como uno de los grandes retos del futuro en México y el mundo, especialmente tras la pandemia COVID-19, en la que lo que ya se pronosticaba para el mercado inmobiliario, ocurrió de forma acelerada por el incremento de, entre otros factores, la especulación y la ola de nómadas digitales del norte global que favorecieron el proceso de gentrificación de los centros urbanos del país. Pero la crisis de la vivienda no es nueva en un país donde las políticas públicas existentes no están centradas en el derecho a la vivienda, sino que [...]

2024-06-27T10:51:08+00:0027th June 2024|

Eco-Leaders: Fostering Youth Leadership in Climate Change Mitigation Through Capacity Building and Collective Action

Safdar Hussain came to IDSP 22 years ago with a degree in computer science and a vision to uplift the local communities, looking for support and guidance to realize his vision. Recognizing the potential of Safdar's vision, a symbiotic alliance was forged. It was not merely about providing resources but fostering an ecosystem where ideas could germinate and flourish. The result of this collaboration stands tall today in the shape of the University of Community Development (UCD), sprawled across eight acres, a testament to the boundless possibilities that emerge when vision gets the required support and appreciation. The story of [...]

2024-04-19T16:38:34+00:008th January 2024|

Empowering Global Youth: A Path to Inclusive Democracy

By Kibo Ngowi Amidst the challenges faced by democracies worldwide, a beacon of hope is emerging as young people take charge of their futures. Youth across the globe are stepping up to redefine their roles in shaping governance. And the call for increased youth participation resonates strongly in the global south.  Despite a lower-than-desired voter turnout in the Nigerian elections earlier this year, the resilience of the 'Not Too Young To Run' movement demonstrated the transformative power of youth cohesion as several young candidates who benefitted from the campaign took office for the first time. Pakistan, with its youthful population, [...]

2023-12-07T10:05:42+00:007th December 2023|

Youth-Led Initiatives and the Future of Democracy: A Conversation with McDonald Lewanika

Governments and institutions have a crucial role in supporting and empowering young people in their efforts to promote democratic change and innovation. International Democracy Day Brussels is an annual event that gathers organizations and experts to celebrate democracy and discuss its challenges. The theme for this year is ‘Empowering the next generation,’ focusing on young people’s essential role in advancing democracy and ensuring their voices are included in decisions that profoundly impact their world. In this year's event, McDonald Lewanika, the Regional Director for East and Southern Africa at Accountability Lab, shared his insights on youth-led initiatives, the state of [...]

2023-12-18T16:05:55+00:0020th November 2023|

Training to Transformation: The Sahel’s Youth in Political Leadership and Conflict Resolution

By Zeinabou Walet Mohamed Ali    Faced with security challenges and a shrinking civic and democratic space in the Sahel, young people have expressed a strong desire to increase their political leadership and participation in democratic decision-making processes as well as efforts aimed at conflict prevention in their countries. Countries such as Mali - characterized by political crises, corruption and a deep disconnect between the will of the people and the decisions made by those in power - face major political and security challenges. The Sahel region has now become a space in reconstruction, where it is crucial for young people [...]

2023-10-05T12:40:21+00:0030th September 2023|

How can the youth contribute to the fight against corruption and its negative impact on society?

For those who have not been to Liberia, their first encounter with an act of corruption is likely to be at the international airport when a service personnel starts asking for a 'small thing' or a police officer asks for 'cold water' (both phrases refer to a bribe). As dangerous as it is, corruption has almost become the norm for public servants, entrenched in and gradually destroying Liberian society. This article discusses the state of corruption in Liberia and its ripple effects on various sectors of society. Moreover, it emphasizes the crucial role of youth in combating corruption and fostering [...]

2023-09-19T13:02:16+00:0019th September 2023|

Five ways to make regional collaborations meaningful

Accountability Lab Nepal (ALN) and Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) are collaborating to promote youth engagement in democracy in Nepal and Bangladesh, respectively. The goal is to build and strengthen diverse and pluralistic networks of youth leaders through targeted support, collective learning and shared best practices to strengthen democracy.  This blog is based on a joint reflection between the program implementation teams during a learning exchange visit from Nepal to Bangladesh and summarizes the value of meaningful collaborations.This blog also highlights how young people from Nepal and Bangladesh uniquely catalyze their role to strengthen democracies, advance social changes and support innovation.  [...]

2023-08-14T12:08:06+00:0018th July 2023|

Eradiquons la corruption grâce à des mécanismes pratiques

Ce billet est l’un des deux lauréats du concours de blog de l'Alliance internationale anti-corruption 2023 organisé sous l'égide de la Banque mondiale. En vue de trouver une solution commune à un défi commun, nous avons invité la jeunesse africaine à s'exprimer sur le fléau de la corruption. À la lumière de la situation propre à chaque pays, ces témoignages devaient répondre à la question suivante : comment les jeunes peuvent-ils œuvrer de concert avec leurs gouvernements, les universités et les organisations de la société civile pour s'élever contre la corruption et contrer les effets négatifs qu'elle fait peser sur la société ? La Corruption… [...]

2023-08-14T12:17:08+00:0013th July 2023|
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