The self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi, a 26-year-old street vendor who had been beaten and humiliated by officials, galvanized tens of thousands of young Tunisians who took to the streets last December to protest the systemic denial of dignity epitomized by Bouazizi’s plight.
Author:
Nicholas Collins, National Democratic Institute
Publisher:
National Democratic Institute
Published Date:
04/20/2011
Resource Type:
Focus Group
Language:
English, Arabic, French
Media Type:
PDF
Nearly 70 percent of Nicaraguans are under the age of 30, but young people in the country remain disengaged from politics and government. They also are increasingly dissatisfied with political parties and government institutions, according to the findings of a recent NDI Democracy Survey.
The Young Women Leaders Academy (YWLA), a year-long program that aims to inspire and empower young Middle Eastern women to pursue political careers in their home countries, culminated in a two-week retreat in Madison, Wisconsin, last month, where participants met with elected women leaders from across the state and honed their leadership skills and political aspirations.
The participants are now back in their home countries, where they are pursuing a range of options, from starting their own advocacy organizations to running for elective office.