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Youth engagement

Young people are positive change agents and active participants in civic and political processes.

Nearly half of the world’s population is 25 years or younger, making the current youth generation of 3 billion people potentially one of the most influential in history as civic and political leaders. Recognizing that young people are a diverse group of individuals with unique beliefs and experiences, IFES’s youth programming is driven by an intersectional approach and tailored to reflect the diversity of young people worldwide. IFES draws on several complementary approaches to supporting youth engagement, including:

  • Integrating human rights standards and principles.
  • Enhancing skillsets and fostering engagement between young people and political and civil actors, systems and processes, applying a positive youth development approach to facilitate youth agency.
  • Engaging young people as active participants in the electoral process.
  • Partnering with young people as positive agents and equip them with conflict resolution and peacebuilding tools.
  • Explore our resources linked here to learn more and get involved.

 

Featured

Engaging Youth in Latin America: IFES’ Work in Guatemala

Having acknowledged the crucial role of youth participation in democracy, IFES has contributed to efforts to increase political awareness and engagement among young Latin Americans. Our recent work in Guatemala, where youth ages 18-35 represent more than 40 percent of the country’s eligible voters, is proof of this commitment.
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Featured Experts

Sarah Timreck Headshot Sarah Timreck Youth Engagement Program Officer
Virginia Atkinson Virginia Atkinson Senior Global Advisor, Inclusion
Programs & Initiatives view all
Promoting leadership among youth CEPPS Youth Democracy and Governance Cross-Sectoral Initiative About The Youth Democracy and Governance Cross-Sectoral Initiative (CSI) is a discussion and knowledge-sharing forum dedicated to helping practitioners, donors, and young leaders across sectors Learn More
IFES Logo Youth Advocacy, Linkages, Leadership in Elections and Society (Youth ALLIES) Program The U.S. Agency for International Development Eastern and Southern Caribbean (USAID/ESC), in collaboration with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) Guyana team, officially launched its Youth Advocacy, Linkages, Leadership in Elections and Society (Youth ALLIES) Program. Learn More
IFES Logo ENGAGE IFES’ ENGAGE methodology is a political leadership course targeting young people with disabilities that builds their skills to continue to be leaders in their communities while providing hands-on community engagement experience. Learn More
IFES Logo Strengthening Digital Media Literacy in the Mekong Region To counter mis- and disinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems collaborated with civil society organizations working in local communities in Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Learn More
SPACE participants in Papua New Guinea Youth SPACE Under Youth Supporting Participation, Action, and Civic Engagement (Youth SPACE), IFES’ youth leadership program, young people are empowered to step into leadership roles and gain more insight into democratic processes such as elections, advocacy, and community engagement. Learn More

Latest

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Events

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Past
 Virtual Youth with Disabilities Lead: Linking the Summit for Democracy and the Global Disability Summit On Thursday, Feb. 17 at 11:30 A.M. EST/UTC-5, as part of the 2022 Global Disability Summit, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) will co-host a discussion with young leaders with disabilities from around the world about inclusive democracy. Young people make up almost half of the world’s population and are critical decision-makers and positive change agents in communities around the world but often face significant barriers to their participation in public life.
February 17, 2022 11:30 AM UTC
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