{"id":3000,"date":"2023-09-17T14:16:56","date_gmt":"2023-09-17T14:16:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/youthdemocracycohort.com\/?post_type=storiesprojects&p=3000"},"modified":"2025-11-20T15:58:54","modified_gmt":"2025-11-20T15:58:54","slug":"the-european-democracy-youth-network","status":"publish","type":"storiesprojects","link":"https:\/\/youthdemocracycohort.com\/fr\/stories\/the-european-democracy-youth-network\/","title":{"rendered":"The European Democracy Youth Network"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Albania<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"USAID\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"NDI\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"IRI\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

ABSTRACT<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"Abstract<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

EDYN is seeking to address the threat of polarisation by ensuring that the composition of its Country Chapters – its organisational structure at the country level – is inclusive across the ideological spectrum. EDYN\u2019s efforts to secure the representation of its geographic and political scope help both legitimise its mission and allow it to better reflect its founding values. EDYN\u2019s core message is that political partisanship, or belonging to a specific interest group, should be neither an obstacle nor a requirement to becoming a member and changemaker working for the benefit of society as a whole. This case study focuses on televised debates in the Albania Country Chapter, which created a safe space for young people to compete in front of a balanced jury with representatives from both main political parties. This offered young people an example of how debate and political contests can rely on arguments and merit rather than hate and division.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"Programme<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n

Polarisation exacerbates mutual group distrust beyond politics and in the ways that different social groups in democratic societies communicate, negotiate and resolve disputes, share power and resources and hold leaders accountable. Those seeking to exploit polarisation for political gain attempt to leverage otherwise nondescript policy differences between individuals and groups to turn citizens against one another. This threatens political institutions and the ability of civil society to sustain democratic norms and social stability in established and developing democracies alike. Young people\u2019s broad and meaningful participation in political and civic life is essential to democratic resilience and adaptability to external and internal shocks, such as an increase in polarising language or behaviour from political and civic leaders. EDYN provides a comprehensive approach for addressing the threat of polarisation by supporting young leaders in politics and civil society with early career development rooted in a tradition of political pluralism and access to resources and connections that encourage multi-party collaboration. EDYN creates a safe space for dialogue and consensus-building between politically and civically active youth from a range of ethnic, political and ideological backgrounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Incorporating traditional media<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

EDYN incorporated traditional media into its no-hate communication strategy by organising televised debates and television appearances for network members as spokespeople in Albania, Kosovo, Moldova and Ukraine. In addition to EDYN\u2019s international efforts aimed at capacity building, re-granting and networking activities, its advocacy activities are significant in their mission to counter polarisation among young leaders. This case study focuses on televised EDYN National Debates organised in Albania in 2020. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During debates, teams of young people would challenge each other on various social, economic and political issues. Each team was tasked with learning in a way that would allow them to argue both in favour and against the topics at hand. The Debates were in three phases. First, individuals and debate groups featuring three people were selected by a jury; second, the groups debated each other, with the winners moving on to challenge further teams. The third phase saw the two finalist teams compete in a televised debate. The jury for the debates and the initial section phase consisted of representatives of the party in government, the opposition, EDYN and a person from the local National Democratic Institute office. This was to ensure impartiality and multi-partisanship.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The final EDYN National Debate was broadcast on Albanian national TV and was moderated by one of the country\u2019s most popular and respected presenters. The event drew significant attention from young Albanians and saw increased interest in participating in the National Debates and in becoming an EDYN member. In addition, it significantly improved EDYN\u2019s visibility and the legitimacy of its no-hate narrative. This reflected both the popularity of television shows in Albania and EDYN\u2019s association with a respected television show and presenter. This format was repeated in 2021.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most relevant lessons learned include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n