In alignment with the S4D3 theme of investing in the youth and their meaningful engagement in democratic spaces, IRI’s Generation Democracy network will lead a workshop on how young leaders have been and can continue to secure democracy for future generations in the Global South. The workshop will be centered around sharing and contextualizing youth-led initiatives that are aligned with S4D subthemes of technology’s intersection with democracy, youth inclusion in democratic spaces, and building domestic and global partnerships for future generations. Speakers and facilitators for this workshop will be drawn from IRI’s flagship youth network, Generation Democracy (GenDem), ensuring the meaningful inclusion of young leaders as equal partners in discussions about the future of democracy.

The one and half-hour workshop will be moderated by GenDem Board representative, Željko Vukša-Fejzic, and begin with keynote remarks by IRI’s Vice President, Scott Mastic. Remarks will followed by two “lightning-panels” featuring young leaders from GenDem who represent countries in the Global South. The speakers will share concrete examples of how they have led and engaged in youth-serving initiatives that promote democratic resilience and inclusion in technology, as well as in civic and political spaces.

Building on these experiences, participants will use design thinking techniques to brainstorm innovative regional and global youth-led and serving initiatives to promote the positive use of technology to advance democracy, bolster youth participation in democratic spaces, and leverage platforms like GenDem and other youth networks to build domestic and global partnerships for future generations. These recommendations will be included in a second iteration of a white paper highlighting ways to empower young voices within and outside of the S4D process.

Participants that RSVP will receive an electronic certificate of participation following the activity.