Welcome to the World Youth

Movement for Democracy!

The World Youth Movement for Democracy (WYMD) is a global community of youth and their allies working non-violently for democracy. It was founded by a group of young people, like you, who believe in and work for fair elections, free speech, and human rights. We believe we can be stronger by working together. [Learn More]

Follow @WYMD to keep up with all our events, projects and updates.

Read the Newest Issue of the YouthSpeak! Newsletter

Click here to read the newsletter

March 28 Webinar, 10AM EST

Join this free online webinar to hear panelists from four different countries discuss media and how it can be used for women empowerment. Does social media give a voice and act as a platform for women in suppressed societies? Can it play a role in transforming cultural norms and values? Is it really a way for women to exercise their freedom of expression or putting them more at risk?

Panelists will include a project officer from Oxfam GB working with widows in Iraq, a member of the Political Council of Social Democratic Youth in Serbia, and a panelist who works with content development and youth empowerment programs in Ghana. The event wll be moderated by Ms. Saba Ismail, Hurford Youth Fellow and a founding director of a pro- young women and girls group in Pakistan.

Learn more and RSVP for the event here.

Feb 28 Webinar: "Women’s Inclusion in Politics through Quota Systems: Symbolic Gesture or Achieving Equality?”

22 February 2013

Gender quotas have been used to jumpstart and fast-track gender equality. In many parts of the world, due to limited women’s participation in the political and democratic process, gender quota systems have been put in place to increase women’s representation in government. But do they really work? Join us on Thursday, February 28 at 10:00am EST and hear activists from Nepal, South Africa, and Rwanda share their experiences with the quota system.

Learn more about the event here.

RSVP for the free event here. Hope to see you there!

Feb 5 Webinar: Role of Young Women in Democracy: Challenges of Religious Extremism

January 29 2013

Meet our 2013 Hurford Youth Fellow as she moderates our first 2013 webinar panel abut the intersection of youth, gender, and religion. Join us on Tuesday, February 05, 2013 at 10:00am EST and hear young women activists from Nigeria, Afghanistan, and Indonesia share their experiences and strategies in promoting youth and women's rights.

Learn more about the event here.

RSVP here. Hope to see you there!

Read the Special Edition of the YouthSpeak! Newsletter

18 December 2012

Click here to read the newsletter

Hurford Youth Fellows Program: Call for applications!

10 December 2012

The World Youth Movement for Democracy is delighted to announce that we are now accepting applications for 2013-2014 Hurford Youth Fellows Program. This is an opportunity for youth activists to come to the Secretariat for three months to engage in a unique experience while building connections with youth leaders from around the world.

2013-2014 Application Deadline: 8 February 2013

WYMD Hosts Online Discussion on Social Media

28 November 2012

Social media is a powerful tool. But what are some of the practical challenges in using it effectively? How does online activism translate to real youth participation? Rodrigo Diamanti from the Venezuelan group "Un Mundo Sin Mordaza" and Aaron Weah-Weah from the Liberian group NAYMOTE shared their thoughts in today's online panel discussion.

Viewers tweeted and chatted questions and comments in a dynamic exchange of information. From using Facebook versus phone sms messaging to reach rural and international partners, to the importance of building trust, the speakers shared practical insights on effectively leveraging social media.

Oct 25 Online Panel: Youth Claiming the Future through Elections

12 October 2012

Join us for our online discussion on Thursday, October 25, 2012 at 10:00am EDT. This month's topic? Elections!

Panelists will discuss issues such as the challenges hindering youth in participating in democracy, the significant roles youth can play during elections, and some ways organizations and individuals mobilize young people. What does it take to get youth actively involved in elections and the democratic process? Learn more about the event here.

RSVP here. Hope to see you there!

World Youth Day for Democracy on October 18!

25 September 2012

Join us in celebrating the World Youth Day for Democracy this October 18, a day when young democracy supporters around the world commemorate and celebrate their role in fighting for and strengthening democracy. In past years, youth organizations in countries around the globe have come out on October 18 to host meetings and events, volunteer, create art, and otherwise come out in support of human rights and democratic principles.

Let us know about the activities your organization plans to do. You can also read about the celebrations that happened last year in countries all around the world in the November 2011 issue of Youthspeak or see a list of ideas here.

Sept 24 Panel: Effective Rural Initiatives

12 September 2012

On September 24th, Panelists will discuss the strategies they use to make sure their programs and strategies are inclusive, particularly when they engage with youth in hard-to-reach areas or in areas with weak infrastructure. What are some of the challenges that youth in rural areas face in making their voices heard? When many organizations are based in the capital or in cities, how do they maintain their connection to the rural youth they often represent?

Learn more about the event here.

Winners of the 2012 WYMD Photo Contest Announced!

We are pleased to announce the results for the 2012 World Youth Movement for Democracy’s Global Photo Contest “Youth in Action: A Snapshot of Democracy.” Over the course of this competition, we received over a hundred strong entries from all around the world. Now, we have tallied up the thousands of votes and are delighted to announce the winners in all three categories!

Congratulations to Mehman Huseynov, Marcin Gwizdon, and Aderemi Adegbite! You can see their winning entries here, or by clicking the image above.

WYMD Statement on Death of Wilman Villar Mendoza

18 January 2012

The World Youth Movement for Democracy holds the Cuban dictatorship responsible for the death of a young Cuban prisoner of conscience, demands an independent investigation, and extends condolences to the immediate family.
Signed by World Youth Movement for Democracy

To read more, click here.

World Youth Movement Releases Statement in Solidarity with Maikel Nabil

18 January 2012

The World Youth Movement for Democracy (WYMD), a global community of young people working non-violently for democracy, expresses its solidarity with Egyptian blogger Maikel Nabil Sanad, who has been imprisoned for criticizing Egypt’s army and its role in repressing protesters.

Maikel Nabil is a young blogger from Egypt who began blogging in 2006. In April 2009, he founded “No for Compulsory Military Service Movement,” which opposes the obligatory military service in Egypt. He led a campaign demanding his right to a conscientious objection to military service. His campaign lasted until he received final exemption from the military service on November 2010. He has been arrested several times because of his political activities...

To read the full statement, click here.