Participate
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What do participants do?
The WYMD is a decentralized network for information sharing, collaboration, and solidarity. Therefore, individuals and organizations define their own roles in the network, participating in many different ways on many different levels.
All activities that develop as part of the WYMD will occur under four main areas:
- Capacity-building for conflict resolution and the non-violent promotion of democracy
- Advocacy and promotion of democratic values and human rights
- Networking to exchange ideas and promote collaboration
- Developing international solidarity networks, to support young people working in adverse circumstances
The WYMD Secretariat is currently working in collaboration with partners and participants to develop programs in these areas. If you are the representative of an organization with considerable experience in the field of youth mobilization and/or democracy promotion, and have a successful program or program proposal in one of these areas that would like to bring to the regional or international level, please contact the secretariat.
The simplest thing all participants can do is regularly share information with the network. We rely on contributions from participants to make the WYMD website and mailing list great resources for knowing what's going on with youth democracy activism! You can contribute resources and information in a few ways:
WYMD Chat
WYMD Chat
is a mailing list and discussion group for members of the World Youth Movement for Democracy to share ideas, resources, and news. Sign up by sending an email to
ymdchat-subscribe@groups.takingitglobal.org.
Then use the list to share:
- Stories of events or activities in your area
- Announcements of events or campaigns that are interesting for young democracy activists
- Requests for collaboration on a specific project
- A news update about an issue relevant to democracy, human right, press freedom, etc.
- Announcements of resources useful for WYMD members.
- Anything else that you think will be interesting for youth working on democracy around the world!
The Resource Page
The Resource Page contains guides, references, and links to other sites that are useful for young democracy activists and those working to build democratic values in young people. If you know of resources or websites that are not listed, let us know so we can add them. We are particularly interested in including materials that focus on non-Western countries or are written in languages other than English.
You can also use the feedback form to provide any other information you think might be relevant, or to get in contact with us.
World Youth Day for Democracy
World Youth Day for Democracy, October 18th, is the annual Launch Day for the Global Youth Democracy Campaign. Each year, we encourage participants of the WYMD to organize events around this day, to be highlighted on the WYMD site, and possibly used as models for future actions in other countries. Learn more about the day and campaign here.
Act Locally
Act Locally! To strengthen the pro-democracy movement at a truly grassroots level, some participants organize locally to strengthen networks, promote discussion and facilitate collaboration between pro-democracy groups in their area. They encourage the coordination of activities around the Global Youth Democracy Campaign on Launch Day, October 18, and throughout the year to motivate and support youth engagement with democratic practices and principles. Check out the WYMD's guide to local networking here!
Who Can Join?
All young democracy activists, organizations, and allies who agree with our values and are committed to the Movement's mission to develop sustainable democracy and human rights movements by empowering a younger generation in democracy promotion activities are welcome to be partners of the Movement.
Generally, participants work with issues such as
- Encouraging 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.
Partners of the WYMD must prioritize diversity, inclusivity, and non-violence, and be respectful of differing opinions and perspectives in ALL activities, even if these activities do not occur under the formal umbrella of the WYMD.
Everyone is welcome to be a partner of the WYMD, to receive information and participate in Movement activities, by completing the application. However, to vote for or serve on the steering committee, individuals and organizations must also be participants in the Youth Movement's parent network, the World Movement for Democracy.
Participation in the World Movement is open to all groups that show ongoing commitment to the Movement's values, and we encourage anyone who is interested to contact them at World@ned.org.