“No matter what you do, you cannot change anything.” Over the past few weeks, I have heard some versions of this sentence more times than I can count. It is the unofficial slogan of political apathy: a belief that participation is pointless and ordinary people are too […]
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As the global civic space has been reshaped with the digital age, young activists are driving social change through innovative digital strategies to protect their right to participate. This session will explore how young people across the Sahel, Asia, and Latin America are reshaping political participation through digital tools. Drawing […]
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The Zambian government has postponed RightsCon 2026. It’s possible to cancel a summit, but one conviction remains. For many, it’s a setback. For democracy, and for me, it’s much more than that. . I had prepared for this trip the way one prepares for the arrival of […]
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I remember while in Bamenda and some time in 2017, the internet shutdown didn’t just cut our fiber; it severed our lifeline to the world. As our organization was gaining momentum, the digital darkness descended, lasting for months. Then came COVID-19, creating a perfect storm of isolation. […]
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Across Sub-Saharan Africa, youth are bypassing traditional political barriers by using digital tools to organize and demand accountability. While technology offers powerful new avenues for grassroots participation, it also introduces risks like surveillance and digital exclusion. To address this, Kevin Waigwa Gichuhi from Nuru Trust Network is […]
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The Youth Democracy Cohort is excited to announce the launch of “YDC Participates”, our brand new participatory platform designed to strengthen how we support our members! This dedicated space will allow Youth Democracy Cohort members to share their ideas, needs and priorities, helping us decide what activities […]
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This session will explore the challenges surrounding electoral periods, particularly internet shutdowns and restrictions on access to information. In the first part, Ifenla and Julius, YAB members, will share the experience in Uganda during the 2021 and 2025 elections, discussing Julius’ candidacy, the protection measures put in […]
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As we enter a pivotal year for democracy worldwide, the Youth Democracy Cohort reaffirms its mission: ensuring that young people are not just included, but meaningfully empowered in political and civic life. Thanks to our growing partnerships across regions and sectors, we are better positioned than ever […]
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For a very long time in Kenya, young people like me have been considered apolitical. However, Gen Z’s and Millennials have started to show interest in politics and policy. During the last presidential election in 2022, most young people opted not to vote when faced with what […]
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