Youth in Kyrgyzstan are not often asked their opinion on political matters. However, NDI’s work with youth activists in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s capital, has demonstrated that youth are enthusiastic and capable participants in the political process, eager to have their voices heard. 

Elections in the United States are unique -- not only due to the decentralized election framework and history of campaigning, but also for the impact that presidential results in particular have around the world. This year Americans cast their votes for 469 members of Congress and 6,064 state-level elected leaders, in addition to dozens of ballot measures in individual states.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the peace accords that ended Guatemala’s 36-year internal conflict that deeply divided the country. However, in the two subsequent decades many of the accords’ goals remain to be achieved in critical areas such as rule of law, social justice, and the alleviation of poverty for marginalized groups including women, indigenous people, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) communities.

When people discuss youth in the Middle East and North Africa, the focus tends to be on young people’s potential for turning toward political and social extremism as opposed to more constructive options. Violence and unrest in the region have increased young people’s disenchantment with politics, frustrated progress, and led to hopelessness in prospects for the future. Youth are the largest and fastest expanding population group in the region. Political leaders have important questions to answer if they are to engage young people.