In October 2022, an Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) technical commission and the transition authorities jointly reached a compromise on a consolidated transition timetable covering twenty-four months beginning in January 2023. Seven months into the process, the participation of young people and women is proving more important than ever. Young people and women have an even greater interest in taking part in the political process, as their future depends on it.

Launched in 2018, NDI’s CEPPS program, Promote a Peaceful Democratic Transition Through Free, Transparent and Inclusive Elections, supported Niger throughout the critical 2020-2021 presidential and legislative electoral cycle. NDI worked with civil society, political parties, the National Assembly, and other government institutions such as the Independent National Election Commission (CENI) and the National Council for Political Dialogue (CNDP) to achieve a variety of different goals and outcomes.

Should the youth in Armenia emigrate to find greater opportunities? Should the government regulate social media to protect citizens online? Are connections more important than education and experience for youth to succeed? These are just a few of the pressing issues that Armenian youth debated as part of NDI Armenia’s Debathon youth debate program.