As part of our mission to centre youth voices in every aspect of our work, the Youth Democracy Cohort welcomes five exceptional young leaders as the new members of the Youth Advisory Board (YAB) for the WYDE Civic Engagement project. Representing diverse regions and perspectives, these individuals will serve as a key bridge between the project’s management team and the young people we aim to empower. Over the next year, they will advise on strategic decisions, join steering committees with the European Commission, and represent the project in international fora.
Before introducing the new YAB, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to the outgoing Youth Advisory Board. Over the past year, their energy, insights, and commitment helped shape the direction of WYDE Civic Engagement and ensure that youth were not just consulted but meaningfully included in our work. Thank you for setting a high standard, championing youth leadership, and leaving a legacy we’re proud to build upon.
Let’s meet the five new members and hear what youth political participation means to them:
Ana Aguilera (Ecuador) – Geographer | Open Government Advocate | Digital Inclusion Leader
Ana is a geographer specialising in social development, with a deep commitment to civic empowerment through digital inclusion. As Datalat’s alternate representative in Ecuador’s Open State Core Group, she has helped shape key national and local initiatives that push forward transparency and participation.
“Youth being involved in political participation means transformation. It’s a commitment to building more equitable and inclusive societies that truly reflect the voices long left out.”
Ana is currently focused on developing safe digital environments that enable adolescents and youth to lead with confidence and creativity.
Ahmad Adem Dawud (Ethiopia) | Youth researcher and campaigner
Ahmad is a youth leader, academic, and politician with a strong track record of empowering young people in Ethiopia. He’s helped thousands access education and leadership roles while advising on youth employment and digital policy.
“Youth political participation is the crucial bridge between dreams and action; it empowers young individuals to voice their ideas, challenge injustices, and actively shape the world they want to live in.”
Currently pursuing a PhD in Business Leadership, Ahmad brings a powerful mix of academic depth and policy experience to the Youth Advisory Board, where his dedication to transformative, youth-led change will be a strong asset.
Ifenla Oligbinde (Nigeria) – Lawyer | Former Candidate | Inclusion Advocate
Ifenla is a bold force in Nigerian politics. A young lawyer, national working committee member of the African Democratic Congress, and founder of the Ark and Rainbow Development Foundation (ARDEF), she was also a House of Assembly candidate in Nigeria’s 2023 elections.
“Any national or global problem that excludes active participation of youths will never be solved in any type of long-term, meaningful way.”
She has designed frameworks to increase youth and women’s participation in politics and decision-making, backed by leadership experiences from the Mandela Washington Fellowship to the McCain Global Leaders programme.
Dr. Intifar Chowdhury (Bangladesh / Australia) – Political Scientist | Lecturer | Youth Researcher
Fresh off completing her PhD in Political Science at the Australian National University, Dr. Intifar Chowdhury is now a lecturer at Flinders University. Her work bridges research and public advocacy, with commentary featured in The Guardian, Al Jazeera, The Conversation, and more. Her focus: understanding why and how youth are disengaging from democracy, and what can be done to change it.
“To enhance young people’s voices, we must understand not just generational shifts, but the cultural and institutional changes shaping our world today. Youth is not a monolith.”
With a multilingual background and a passion for comparative political studies, Intifar brings both analytical depth and lived experience to the board.
Menya Julius (Uganda) – Youth Activist | Gender & Migration Specialist | Regional Coordinator
Julius is a social worker with a decade of hands-on leadership. He currently works with Hope 4 Life Uganda and coordinates the Our Space project across Uganda, Kenya, and Zambia under WYDE Civic Engagement. He holds a Master’s in International Gender Studies from the University of Iceland, focusing on migration and border politics.
“Young people are the leaders of tomorrow, yet there is no tomorrow, it is now and today.”
Julius’s grassroots leadership, digital advocacy, and dedication to inclusive policymaking make him a powerful advocate for youth rights across the African continent. He has also led outreach efforts to engage marginalised youth, especially girls, young women, youth with disabilities, and rural youth, ensuring no one is left behind.
Why the YAB Matters
In a time when youth are often spoken about but rarely spoken with, the YAB provides a platform for real, reciprocal engagement. These five outstanding individuals will not only advise on strategic decisions within WYDE Civic Engagement, they will shape the way our project listens, responds, and evolves. Their voices will be heard at the highest levels, from internal steering bodies to the European Commission and international events.Their mission? To make sure that “youth inclusion” is not just a buzzword, but a concrete commitment. Whether through policymaking, research, activism, or digital transformation, their work will help us answer the core question: What does it really mean for young people to have power in a democracy?