WYDE Civic Engagement is proud to introduce the 2024-2025 Youth Democracy Cohort of five Youth Advisory Board members who will play a strategic role in WYDE Civic Engagement activities. By participating in programmes and their evaluation, strategic meetings, and advocacy campaigns, these five individuals will enhance the outreach and communication on the project, and provide valuable youth perspectives in the programme’s key focus areas.
Building on the successes of last year’s board, this year’s cohort is expected to bring fresh perspectives and new energy. With a new mandate, the 2024-2025 YAB members’ involvement will ensure young peoples’ voices are heard and play a key role in driving youth engagement in politics. To ensure balanced perspectives, a diverse geographic balance of participants is ensured, this year, with a strong focus on Sub-Saharan Africa.
Last year’s energetic cohort members, Ana Paula Rojas, Victor Kipkorir, and Suvenchchha Chapagain, made strides in bringing youth perspectives forward and advocating for positive change. The Youth Democracy Cohort thanks the participants for their engagement and time. Their dedication to advocacy, including participation in steering committees with the European Commission and representing our project at external events, has been instrumental to the success of the WYDE Civic Engagement Youth Advisory Board.
Meet the new YAB:
Qyira Yusri (Malaysia)
Co-Founder and Education Director of #Undi18, Qyira Yusri played an instrumental role in reducing Malaysia’s voting age from 21 to 18 through successful lobbying. As an advocate for freedom of assembly, speech, and political participation, Qyira has coordinated numerous direct action activities and consulted on various human rights campaigns across ASEAN.
Dechen Rabgyal (Bhutan)
With a strong interest in social and political sciences, Dechen Rabgyal brings a unique perspective from his rural upbringing in Bhutan. Educated in Spain and the UK, Dechen brings unique insights into Bhutan’s public policy challenges, such as rural-urban migration and regional inequality. Dechen is also part of the YoungResearchersNetwork initiative.
Mumbiko King’ori (Kenya)
At 32, Mumbiko King’ori is a former youngest Presidential Aspirant in Kenya and a PhD student at the University of Nairobi. He founded FinM Consult and is an active member of several civic bodies, including the Kenya Inclusive Political Parties Technical Working Group and the East Africa Hub for Women and Youth in Democracy.
Daisi Matthew Omokungbe (Nigeria)
Founder and Executive Director of PROMAD, Daisi Matthew Omokungbe has over 12 years of experience in social innovation, civic-tech, and project management. He has led social accountability campaigns across Nigeria, promoting democracy and transparency.
Gold Ikyiriza (Uganda)
Gold Ikyiriza, a finalist student at Makerere University Kampala, is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in social sciences with a major in Psychology and a minor in Gender Studies. Gold is a dynamic leader advocating for inclusive democracy, quality education and gender equality.