On July 22, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) virtually convened a culminating symposium for the 2020 Political Party Leadership Institute (PPLI) initiative on Lessons on Integrating Youth into Political Parties and Leadership. Funded by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), PPLI seeks to strengthen young people's capacity to meaningfully contribute in party processes and contribute to youth reflective policies across the region.

In April 2021, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and its partner, the Libyan Debate and Dialogue Association (DDA), organized a National Schools Debate Championship in Tripoli, bringing together students from across the country to compete in debates on the national stage. This event -- the largest yet hosted by DDA -- was a successful opportunity to showcase the broader and ongoing work that DDA and NDI are undertaking in promoting youth engagement and political participation in Libya. 

Despite their large numbers, young Africans are less likely to vote and are often not represented in decision-making or political institutions. Recognizing the critical role political parties play in political processes, NDI launched the Political Party Leadership Institute (PPLI) in 2020 to enhance young people's participation in formal political party processes.

In Malawi, a growing cohort of young people are entering into careers and politics and looking to reshape the future of governance and development. With over 50% of the population under 18 years old, the number of young people joining new initiatives and seeking to make a difference will continue to increase. Yet, there are limited options for young people, even once they are able to join civil society, to be recognized by older generations for their ability to provide meaningful input and given opportunities to develop new skills of engagement.

As the world begins the slow process of rebounding from the COVID-19 pandemic, societies must work harder than ever to safeguard democratic governance and overcome sustainable development challenges rooted in systemic inequality and exclusion. Because young people are disproportionately impacted and have the most to lose, their political participation and inclusion are pivotal. There are over 1 billion young people between the ages of 15 and 24 worldwide - half of whom are young women - with diverse lived experiences and political interests.

Libya is preparing to hold national elections on December 24, 2021, offering an opportunity to continue the country’s democratic transition after years of violence and political stalemate. In the Tripoli region, Libyans recently practiced their civic engagement during a series of municipal elections held from January to April 2021.