About Us
At the Third Assembly of the World Movement for Democracy in South Africa in 2004, a group of young democracy and human rights activists from around the world came together to found what was then called the Youth Movement for Democracy in order to
support each other, build solidarity, and develop sustainable democracy and human rights movements by empowering a younger generation in democracy promotion activities.
Today, the Youth Movement aims to serve as a platform for young activists to address the importance of promoting democratic values, a forum for sharing information and ideas, and an action-oriented, solidarity movement.
It provides a space for young activists to build relationships with each other, to collaborate across borders, to deepen their knowledge on key issues, and to develop practical skills. Like the World Movement, the Youth Movement aims to support youth participation in efforts to strengthen democracy where it is weak, to reform and invigorate democracy even where it is longstanding, and to bolster pro-democracy groups in countries that have not yet entered into a process of democratic transition.
Below is an overview of the mission, values, and structure of the WYMD.
Please also see the Youth Movement's Founding Statement...
Core Values
Founded as a youth wing of the World Movement for Democracy, the Youth Movement shares the values and principles of the World Movement's Founding Statement. These include belief in:
- the universality of democratic values,
- the importance of learning from others' experiences in advancing democracy,
- human rights, particulary minority rights,
- broad public participation in politics, and
- the importance of acknowledging the diverse forms of democracy around the world.
Within the Youth Movement, all activities must be undertaken with a strong commitment to non-violence, human rights, and respect for the rule of law.
World Movement values and principles...
Objectives
The current focus of the Youth Movement is the development of collaborative projects at the regional and international level in the following areas:
- Capacity-building to deepen young activist's knowledge of democracy issues and practical skill training for conflict resolution and the non-violent promotion of democracy;
- Advocacy and promotion of democratic values and human rights, and for the participation of youth in achieving them;
- Networking to exchange ideas and promote collaboration;
- Developing international solidarity networks, to support young people working in adverse circumstances.
Participation
Participation is open to all young democracy activists affiliated with organizations promoting democratic principles as well as individuals and organizations that support activities of young activists and youth organizations.
The main areas of democracy work taken on by Youth Movement participants include:
- Supporting Youth Participation in Politics;
- Promoting Human Rights;
- Advancing the Rule of Law;
- Increasing Women's Political Participation and Leadership;
- Empowering Democratic Governance, especially at the Local Level;
- Educating Youth about Democratic Principles and Practices; and
- Promoting Youth Involvement in Policy-making Processes.
Roles and Coordination
Participants and Partners
The participants of the WYMD form of a global community of youth working for democracy. Through participation in the movement, young democracy activists and allies:
- Develop Networks to support activists in other countries, to organize effective collaboration, to raise funds, and to share information and experience.
- font-weight:bold; such as organizing tools, information on democracy issues, contacts with groups around the world, and news updates about emerging democracy movements.
- Exchange perspectives and information by attending conferences, participating in online discussions, and contributing to the movement newsletter.
- Act locally and internationally by organizing trainings, rallies, advocacy or solidarity campaigns, debates, or anything else to get youth involved with democracy promotion and active citizenship.
- Gain recognition and international visibility for local democracy issues and youth activism; showcase experiences on the Movement website; and participate in international campaigns and programs.
Regional Coordinators
Regional coordinators work with the Secretariat to recruit and integrate new participants, develop collaborative projects and activities, and network with civil society organizations, governments, international institutions, and other potential partners in the region to build support for the Movement. Coordinators are selected based on their institutional capacity and experience with youth and democracy organizing, and their commitment to participation in the Movement.
Global Steering Committee
The Steering Committee develops the Movement's overall strategies, prioritizes the Movement's activities, and works closely with the Movement Secretariat to raise funds for activities.
Currently, the committee is composed of the Movement's regional coordinators, some original founders, and some advisors from key democracy-promotion groups.
- Tapera Kapuya (South Africa/ Zimbabwe)
- Ryota Jonen (World Movement for Democracy, Japan)
- L.C. Russell Hsiao (U.S./ Taiwan)
Secretariat
The Movement Secretariat is responsible for:
- developing WYMD infrastructure;
- facilitating communication between coordinators and partners;
- developing tools and mechanisms for information exchange;
- promoting the collaborative development of WYMD programs; and
- assisting with fundraising for these programs.
The Secretariat is now based out of the Kiev Office of the international network, the Youth Human Rights Movement.
General Assembly
The General Assembly of the Youth Movement will take place alongside the biennial assembly of the World Movement for Democracy. The Youth Assembly will be organized in two parts: a session devoted to a democracy issue of high relevance to youth and a session devoted to the organizational development of the Youth Movement.
Read about the WYMD at the last World Movement Assembly in Istanbul, Turkey, April 2006...