Young people under 30 make up half of the global population, yet their voices are often not represented in formal decision-making processes or included in policy design around issues that affect them. Young people need to be included in these processes at local, national and global levels to ensure the challenges that they face are considered in government responses and policies that impact them. Young people have the right to voice their opinion and the global community needs to facilitate a safe space for their participation particularly in times of a pandemic such as COVID-19.

In celebration of International Youth Day 2020’s theme, “Youth Engagement for Global Action” and USAID’s #DemocracyIs theme, “Civic Engagement,” for August, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) invites you to attend a Facebook Live event in which three young leaders from IFES programs will speak about ways they have taken action in their communities and countries and the positive impact of building more inclusive and sustainable democracies across the globe. Panelists will also discuss ways to overcome COVID-19 barriers and promote young people’s leadership and participation during the pandemic.

Please join IFES on Wednesday, August 12 from 9-10 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) to participate in this event on Facebook @IFES1987. On the day of the event, log in to Facebook to watch the event live and comment to share questions for the moderator to ask the panelists. We also encourage you to like IFES’ Facebook page ahead of the event and after to get the latest news and updates from IFES’ work around the world.