Explore Youth Participation [NAME]

This country was not included in the GYPI. We hope to expand the scope of the index in future iterations as more data becomes accessible.

This country does not appear in the GYPI as it did not meet the minimum data availability threshold (85%). The data is available online when you download the dataset.

<ul><li>University of Birmingham (<a href="https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/centres-institutes/elections-democracy-accountability-and-representation">CEDAR</a>)</li><li><a href="https://riftvalley.net">RVI</a></li></ul>

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Ana Mosiashvili is a Research and Programme Officer at the European Partnership for Democracy. Ana holds a Master’s degree in International Human Rights Law. Ana's expertise spans research and advocacy in the fields of meaningful youth participation, youth work, social justice, gender mainstreaming and intersectionality. Prior to joining EPD, Ana served as a Secretary General of the European Confederation of Youth Clubs (ECYC), International Coordinator of the Y-PEER Network, Member of the International Experts Group of UNESCO on revising the 1974 Recommendation
concerning Education for International Understanding, Cooperation, and Peace and Education relating to Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

Ana MOSIASHVILI

Brit Anlar is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Amsterdam in the Department of Political Science. Prior to her position at the UvA, she was employed as Research Manager at Future Caucus, the largest nonpartisan organisation of young lawmakers in the United States. She was also a 2023-2024 recipient of the prestigious American Political Science Association Congressional Fellowship, where she served as a Policy and Communications Fellow for the Congressional Democratic Women’s Caucus. She has published several academic articles and international reports on young adult political representation in the United States and globally, and is the founder of the Youth Political Representation Research Network. She is also the co-editor of a forthcoming edited volume, Youth Political Representation: A Global Perspective on Young Adults’ Presence in Political Institutions (Palgrave Studies in Young People and Politics). From 2019-2023, she served as the Lead Graduate Researcher on the Young Elected Leaders Project at the Eagleton Institute of Politics. She has received several awards for her research on young adult political representation including the William A. Steiger Fund for Legislative Studies (2024), the Carrie Chapman Catt Prize for Research in Women and Politics, honorable mention (2020), the William Lyon and Meredith Porte Peace Fund (2020), and the Barbara Callaway Award for Research on Women and Politics (2020).

Brit ANLAR

Evelyn Mantoiu is the Research and Data Manager at the European Partnership for Democracy, where she works on research and data analysis related to democracy support, with a particular focus on European democracy aid and associated policies. Evelyn holds an MSc in Democracy and Comparative Politics from University College London (UCL) and a BA in International Relations and Politics from the University of Sheffield. Her research interests include democratisation and democratic renewal, including monitoring democracy support aid, areas which she has pursued through her various roles. Evelyn has been working at the European Partnership for Democracy since 2022, where she has been contributing to the development and implementation of research projects that aim to strengthen democracy support and democratic governance..

Evelyn MANTOIU

Kirstie serves as the data manager on the index, leading the data collection efforts, providing analysis, and training the in-country consultants who provide expertise in specific countries.  Dr. Kirstie Lynn Dobbs is an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Department of Political Science and Public Policy. She is the Director of the Early College Program and Faculty Community Engagement Strategy at Merrimack College in North Andover, MA. In her dissertation, she analyzed why youth in Tunisia were so active during the 2011 Arab Spring revolution, but were still less likely than older generations to vote at the ballot box in the aftermath of the democratic transition.

Kirstie applied her specialization on voter turnout as a Manatt Research Fellow at the International Foundation for Electoral Systems and has presented this research to the United States Agency for International Development and the Arab Reform Initiative. She is a research consultant for the European Partnership for Democracy on creating a Global Youth Political Participation Index. She has op-ed articles in the Foreign Policy Journal and invited articles in Ace: Electoral Knowledge Network, ORIENT Magazine, and the American Political Science Association's Middle East and North Africa Politics Section Symposium. Peer-reviewed journal articles appear in Democratization, The British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies, Representation, The European Journal of Political Science, Acta Politica, and PS: Political Science and Politics. She also engages in multiple civically engaged research projects with community partners investigating how educators, practitioners, academics, and civil society can support youth empowerment after the COVID-19 pandemic. She created a summer research experience for first-year students to conduct independent research projects using youth participatory action research practices. This summer course also engages with a summer civic engagement program for middle schoolers she co-created and co-facilitated with faculty and undergraduate students called <a href="https://www.eccf.org/blog/2022/07/12/while-the-impacts-of-covid-linger-summer-programs-come-up-with-new-ways-to-engage-greater-lawrence-youth/">Youth Voice</a>. The research from this program is published in Issues in Interdisciplinary Studies and a book chapter published by Palgrave in the Political Pedagogies series. 

Dr. Dobbs is also dedicated to building pipelines that empower first-generation youth with access to higher education and career opportunities. As a state leader in the field, Kirstie serves as a policy advisor for the Massachusetts Alliance for Early College, shaping initiatives that expand educational equity. In addition to their leadership in education, she is a passionate life coach, helping young people build confidence, manage anxiety, and step into their power.

Kirstie Lynn DOBBS

Lien Nguyen is an Assistant Professor of Practice at Merrimack College, where she teaches in the Master of Public Administration program. Her research interests lie in debt financing for infrastructure and capital budgeting &amp; management. Lien brings a wealth of experience from both the nonprofit and public sectors in Vietnam. She was directly involved in community development projects aimed at capacity building and improving livelihoods for disadvantaged rural communities. In her role with Vietnam’s national public procurement agency, she contributed to drafting public procurement regulations and supporting their enforcement. Lien is passionate about fostering engagement among the young generation in public service and democracy. She is dedicated to inspiring young people to pursue careers in public service, emphasizing that public service is not just a job, but a way to create meaningful change and address critical community and national issues.

Lien NGUYEN

Professor of Democracy at the University of Birmingham

Nic Cheeseman is Professor of Democracy at the University of Birmingham, in the United Kingdom and the Director of the Centre for Elections, Democracy, Accountability and Representation (CEDAR). He was formerly the Director of the African Studies Centre at the University of Oxford. Dr Cheeseman mainly works on democracy, elections and development, including a range of topics such as election rigging, political campaigning, corruption, “fake news” and presidential rule. The articles that he has published based on this research have won a number of prizes including the GIGA award for the best article in Comparative Area Studies (2013) and the Frank Cass Award for the best article in Democratization (2015). Professor Cheeseman is also the author or editor of more than ten books, including How to Rig an Election (2018) – selected as one of the books of the year by the Spectator magazine. In recognition of this academic and public contribution, the Political Studies Association (PSA) of the United Kingdom awarded him the prestigious Joni Lovenduski Prize for outstanding professional achievement in 2019. In recent years, he has also won the Celebrating Impact prize of the Economic and Social Research Council for “outstanding international impact” and the Josiah Mason Award for Academic Advancement. Professor Cheeseman is a Board Member of the Afrobarometer and the Expert Panel of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, while also serving as a Fellow of the European Democracy Hub and sitting on the Advisory Board of the Bertelsmann Transformation Index. A frequent commentator on democracy, elections and global events, Professor Cheeseman’s analysis has appeared in The Economist, Le Monde, Financial Times, Newsweek, the Washington Post, New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the BBC, and the Daily Nation and he writes a regular column for the Africa Report. Many of his interviews and insights can be found on the website that he founded and co-edits, <a href="www.democracyinafrica.org">www.democracyinafrica.org</a>.

Organisations: Centre for Elections, Democracy, Accountability and Representation (CEDAR) at the University of Birmingham

Nic CHEESEMAN

Dr Sarah Pickard is a full professor and researcher at the Université Sorbonne Nouvelle, in Paris, France, where she did her PhD after a BA Degree in Britain. She teaches contemporary British politics, society and culture, youth studies, and research methods with undergraduate through to doctoral students. Professor Pickard’s research focuses on youth civic and political engagement from a holistic perspective. This research is situated in Youth Studies and Political Sociology addressing the interplay between young people, youth policy, youth culture, political participation and protest in contemporary Britain with broader international perspectives. She developed the concept of Do-It-Ourselves (DIO) political participation to define and explain young people’s individual and collective engagement outside institutional politics (due to distrust and disappointment) to bring solidarity, hope and efficacy. Over the years, Sarah’s qualitative work has involved interviewing hundreds of young people in relation to protests and political participation. More recently, she has been interviewing many young climate and environmental activists. Coproduction with young people is an increasingly important part of her research (research with young people, including publications, not just about young people). She is involved in many international research projects and organisations, including with the European Union, the European Commission, the Council of Europe, the Youth Partnership and the United Nations. Sarah also frequently acts as an expert in the international media regarding young people’s political participation and British politics, such as BBC Africa, France Culture Le Monde, Libération, Public Sénat, and Radio Canada, including interviews by young journalists and researchers whom she enjoys mentoring. She is a convenor of the Political Studies Association (PSA) <a href="https://www.psa.ac.uk/specialist-groups/young-peoples-politics">Young People’s Politics</a> specialist group, a former vice president of the International Sociological Association (ISA) Sociology of Youth research committee (RC34), and her publications include:<a href="https://link.springer.com/book/10.1057/978-1-137-57788-7"> Politics, Protest and Young People</a> (Palgrave); articles in the Journal of Applied Youth Studies (JAYS), the Journal of Youth Studies such as“<a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13676261.2022.2046258?journalCode=cjys20">Young environmental activists and Do-It-Ourselves (DIO) politics: collective engagement, generational agency, efficacy, belonging and hope</a>.” In addition, Sarah has edited and coedited several books, including three volumes of<a href="https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781786611826/When-Students-Protest-Universities-in-the-Global-South"> When Students Protest</a> (Rowman &amp; Littlefield) and <a href="https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-58250-4">Young People Regenerating Politics in Times of Crisis</a> (Palgrave).

Sarah PICKARD

The research for the GYPI was delivered through the Centre for Elections, Democracy, Accountability and Representation (CEDAR) of the University of Birmingham and was conducted by a team of five researchers at leading universities around the world in close collaboration with the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD), which coordinated the project and contributed key expertise.

Core Team

Daisi Omokungbe is the Founder and Executive Director of PROMAD. He is an experienced social innovator, civic-tech leader, AI, and data analytics and project management professional who has worked for over 13 years in the private and development sectors. In his work and leadership at PROMAD, he has led social accountability campaigns in more than 50 rural and underserved communities. He leverages data and technology to promote democracy, track public projects, empower local stakeholders such as youth and women, advocate for accountable governance, and drive developmental interventions and reforms. Daisi has attracted grants to deepen accountability, youth participation, transparency, grassroots needs assessment, local engagements and prioritisation of public projects and policies in Nigeria using civic-tech solutions. Daisi is an avid changemaker and scholar. Following his contributions to sustainable development in Nigeria, the government of the United Kingdom awarded him the prestigious Chevening Scholarship for 2024/2025. He is pursuing a master’s in applied AI and data analytics at the University of Bradford.  He is also wrapping up his dissertation at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria for a master’s degree in project management. He holds a bachelor’s degree (Hons) in project management from the Bells University of Technology, Ota, and a HND in electrical/electronic engineering from the Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti and professional certifications.  In 2024/2025, he served as a member of the Youth Advisory Board for the WYDE Civic Engagement by the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD).

Daisi OMOKUNGBE

I'm Daniel Ekomo-Soignet, currently a member of the research team at European Partnership for Democracy. I am passionate about peace, conflict, security and human rights, and I strive to make a positive change in the world through research and advocacy. Having lived in multiple countries including Equatorial Guinea, the DRC, South Africa, Portugal, France, and Belgium, I believe seeking and exchanging new perspectives, and challenging narratives is the key to creating a better world for all.

Daniel EKOMO-SOIGNET

Dexter Yang (Dex) is the founder of GoodGovPH, a youth-led nonprofit for good governance in the Philippines. In 2020, it was recognized as one of the country's Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations. He represents the Philippines in the UNODC Youthled Integrity Advisory Board and the EU Youth Sounding Board, where he advises on meaningful youth engagement for anti-corruption and EU external action. He received his bachelor's degree in Public Administration and is now a Juris Doctor candidate, both in the University of the Philippines. He is also an alumnus of the YSEALI Academic Fellowship on Civic Engagement from the University of Nebraska Omaha and the Future Bridging Leadership Program from the Asian Institute of Management.

Dexter YANG

Fizza is an International Relations student at BUITEMS, Quetta, with a deep passion for global affairs and emerging security dynamics. She has written for platforms like Stratheia, Strafasia, Paradigm Shift, Spine Times, and others. A multi-award-winning writer and policy enthusiast, Fizza’s academic interests include peace and conflict studies, artificial intelligence and warfare, defense and strategic affairs, nuclear policy, and public policy. Beyond academics, she is actively engaged in social initiatives and currently serves as the President of the Young Peace and Development Corps (YPDC) at her university, demonstrating strong leadership and a commitment to youth empowerment.

Fizza Mehak BATOOL

I am María Virginia Paglia, a data analyst and advanced Economics student at the National University of Córdoba, Argentina. I specialize in data analysis and visualization applied to public policy, gender, and economics. I have worked as a data analyst in the public sector and in social organizations, contributing to the production of relevant information for decision-making. My background combines technical expertise with a strong social focus. I have participated in research on gender gaps in telework, international consultancy projects, and academic initiatives through teaching assistantships and university extension programs. I currently coordinate the data area in a regional organization, where I lead the development of visualizations and reports related to gender and human rights. I work with a variety of data analysis and visualization tools, integrating statistical knowledge with a feminist perspective. My commitment is to contribute to the generation of accessible, rigorous, and socially impactful knowledge.

María Virginia PAGLIA

Melissa Sarah Hamalambo is a youth leadership development expert with nearly a decade of experience. She is a passionate advocate for democracy, menstrual health and child education rights. She volunteers as a board member, facilitator, and mentor with local youth-led organisations and movements supporting youth, women and children’s rights. Melissa holds a law degree and professional certifications in program management, among others. She is dedicated to transforming political governance for young people and women, leveraging technology to improve lives, and fostering intergenerational collaboration. Melissa seeks roles that enable her to challenge systemic inequalities and support personal and professional growth of youth and women.

Melissa Sarah HAMALAMBO

Mumbiko King'ori is a dynamic young leader deeply committed to Youth empowerment and Inclusive governance. As Partnerships Associate at The Youth Cafe and Founding Director of Young Aspirants and Aspiring Leaders Network (YAALN), he champions youth engagement and social justice. In 2022, he was the Kenya's Youngest Presidential Aspirant at 30. Mumbiko contributes to youth engagement through his Volunteer roles with EPD's WYDE Youth Advisory Board Alumni, WYDE Accountability Hubs Member EA, and Kenya Inclusive Political Parties (KIPP) TWG and the Kenya Disability Parliamentarians Association (KEDIPA), demonstrating his commitment to inclusivity. Academically, Mumbiko is pursuing a PhD in Business Administration at the University of Nairobi, holds an MBA, a Postgraduate Diploma in Project management and is a CPA-K. He is a seasoned professional as a Corporate Events Facilitator, Youth-Gender-&amp;-Disability Inclusion Trainer, Political Strategy and Governance Consultant. He recently facilitating the Global Democracy Coalition Africa Forum and Trained at the East Africa Academy for Young Women's Empowerment on how to Engage Men and Boys.

Mumbiko KING'ORI

I am a passionate and visionary youth leader currently serving as the Chairman of the Wiper Comrades Chapter, where I lead university students in political mobilization, civic education, and party strengthening. My leadership journey began at Zetech University, where I served as Finance Minister in the 2023/2024 academic year. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Purchasing and Supplies Management from Zetech University and am pursuing a Master’s degree in Procurement and Supply Chain Management at Mount Kenya University. Driven by a desire to create lasting change, I am preparing to run for Member of Parliament for Thika Town Constituency in the 2027 general elections. I have actively participated in leadership and governance programs by institutions such as the OSLO Centre, NIMD, IRI, CMD-Kenya, and Jamie Pajoel International, which have equipped me with the skills and networks to lead effectively. I am also developing a national policy initiative known as the Focus-Based Economic Model, aimed at offering a fresh and inclusive vision for Kenya’s economic transformation. My leadership is anchored in servant-hood, integrity, and the belief that young people must be at the center of nation-building.

Peter Edwin MURIU MUIGO

René Edouard Mendis is a civic leader and program coordinator with over 5 years of experience in West and Central Africa. Trained in political science, he works at the crossroads of participatory governance, youth engagement, and social innovation. He currently serves as Regional Program Coordinator at Social Change Factory, where he leads multi-stakeholder initiatives focused on civic participation and collective intelligence. He is also the National Coordinator of the African Youth Panel and a certified facilitator in collective intelligence (AFD). René sits on the Youth Advisory Committee of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, contributing to international youth policy development. He is a ONE Champion and a Dalberg Talent Academy 2021 fellow. In 2023, he became Curator of the Dakar Hub of the Global Shapers Community, an initiative of the World Economic Forum.

René Edouard MENDIS

The GYPI Youth Panel brings together ten inspiring young leaders from across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. This diverse group plays a central role in shaping the Index, regularly coming together to reflect on its design, discuss what the data means for young people today, and share ideas on how to break down the barriers that hold youth back from fully participating in political, civic, and economic life.

Youth Panel

Aaron Weah is a Liberian transitional justice activist peace and conflict researcher. He has worked across sectors—in civil society, government, and international non-governmental organisations—for more than eighteen years. As a programme associate for the International Centre for Transitional Justice (ICTJ), he provided technical assistance to the Liberia Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). He was a policy analyst at the Liberia Governance Commission (2012–2014). He collaborated with relevant ministries, agencies, and commissions in that role and drafted the Strategic Road Map for Peacebuilding, Reconciliation, and National Healing. He also worked as Country Director for the Washington, DC-based Search for Common Ground, supporting Liberia’s peacebuilding agenda. Beyond Liberia, he continues to be engaged in Africa—specifically in countries such as The Gambia, Ghana, and Sierra Leone—serving in a strategic technical capacity on peace and conflict, human rights, and transitional justice matters. Currently, he serves as the Director for the Ducor Institute for Social and Economic Research involved with evidence-based research to impact public policy including the youth in post-war Liberia.  He has a PhD from the Transitional Justice Institute (TJI), Ulster University, United Kingdom and his thesis focus on wartime memories and its impact on Liberia’s post-war development. He has written and published on peacebuilding, memorialisation, and transitional justice, and some of his works have appeared in the Journal of the International Peace Institute (IPI), International Review of the Red Cross, and the International Journal of Transitional Justice (Oxford University Press).

Aaron WEAH

Abdoullahi DIOP

Atieno Ogolla is a legal practitioner, researcher, and advocate for youth political participation. With a background in law and governance, Atieno has dedicated her work to exploring the intersection of youth engagement, legal frameworks, and political inclusion in Africa. Her expertise spans electoral law, human rights, and policy analysis, with a particular focus on how young people can navigate structural barriers to leadership and decision-making.

As a researcher for the Global Youth Participation Index (GYPI), Atieno has examined youth inclusion in governance, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for meaningful participation. Her research on Rwanda’s GYPI scores provides insight into the country’s evolving political landscape, emphasizing the disparities between youth civic engagement and formal political participation. By analyzing socio-economic trends, electoral involvement, and political representation, her work contributes to data-driven discussions on improving youth access to leadership roles.

Beyond research, Atieno is actively involved in mentoring young leaders, advocating for policies that lower financial and legal barriers to youth participation, and engaging in civic education initiatives. Her passion for empowering young people aligns with her broader mission of fostering inclusive governance structures that reflect the voices of Africa’s youth.

Atieno OGOLLA

Balmukunda is a development professional from Nepal and is currently working as a Consultant for different project design, research, evaluation and other policy studies. His expertise lies in research, anti-human trafficking, peacebuilding, conflict analysis, project management and training. He has worked on several projects related to anti-human trafficking, politics and violence, youth empowerment, human rights, post-conflict peacebuilding, violence and electoral violence monitoring, etc. Having degrees in conflict transformation, he has experience working with human trafficking victims, former child soldiers, ex-combatants and victims of armed conflict and consulting on several projects. He has worked for different development projects in Nepal, Cambodia and Iraq

Balmukunda HUMAGAIN

Biran Gai is a dedicated professional with a strong background in political science, international relations, and civil society engagement. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of The Gambia and a Master of Arts in International Relations and African Studies from Istanbul Ticaret University, Turkey. His expertise lies in democratic governance, human rights, regional integration, and peace and security. Throughout his career, he has actively contributed to policy research, academic engagement, and civil society initiatives aimed at strengthening governance and political participation in The Gambia and beyond.
Biran currently serves as a Lecturer in Political Science at the University of The Gambia, where he teaches courses on governance, democracy, and international affairs. He is also the Lead for Democratic Governance at the Center for Research and Policy Development (CRPD), where he coordinates programs on youth political participation, transitional justice, and democratic reforms. His recent research engagements include a study on Middle East foundations and their influence on local Madrasas in The Gambia, in collaboration with the Research and Action for Peace (REcAP) Network. He has also led nationwide surveys on returnee reintegration, security sector reform, radicalism and violent extremism in The Gambia.
With strong analytical and communication skills, Biran actively engages with policymakers, civil society organizations, and international partners. His research interests span democratic governance, human rights, election processes, regional integration, peace, and security, reflecting his commitment to advancing socio-political development in Africa.

Biran GAI

Dr. Camille Forite is an electoral expert with a PhD in political science and a degree in election administration. She specialises in political financing, the political participation of women, youth and other underrepresented groups, as well as electoral violence. 

She has participated in international election observation missions with the Carter Center, the European Union, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and the UN, covering more than a dozen countries across Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Central and Eastern Europe.

With five years of experience working on the Democratic Republic of Congo, she has contributed to various organizations supporting democracy. As part of WYDE, she was recently the lead researcher of a Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) study on the costs of politics in the DRC, focusing on the challenges faced by youth and women.

Camille FORITE

Carla Luís coordinates the project VOTEDHr - Elections, Democracy and Human Rights at the University of Coimbra. This project works with electoral stakeholders and provides advanced training and support.
Carla is also a Consultant on Elections and Democracy, working with institutions as the Council of Europe, European Union, IDEA, ODIHR/OSCE, Carter Center, UNDP, among others. Member of the Electoral Integrity Project - international advisory board. Carla was a Board Member of the National Electoral Commission of Portugal from 2009 to 2022. She authored several publications on elections, at the international and national level. Law Professor at Lusíada University of Lisbon. She teaches and works on Electoral Observation, Electoral Standards, Electoral Justice, among others. 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlafluis/

Carla LUÍS

Charif Mohamadi KOANDA

Chong Liu is a sociologist specialising in youth inclusion, social stratification, and educational inequalities. Her research explores how class and gender intersect to shape young people’s experiences, particularly in the realms of education, sexuality, and reproductive justice. She obtained her PhD in Sociology and Social Policy from the University of Leeds in 2025, where her doctoral work examined the impact of social class on sexuality education and young people’s romantic and sexual relationships in contemporary China.

Beyond academia, Chong is committed to public sociology and interdisciplinary collaboration. Chong has also contributed to exhibitions and public discussions on gender, sexuality, and social inequalities, believing in the power of art to reach broader audiences beyond academic paywalls. As the EDI Lead for the Gender and Education Association (GEA), she advocates for equitable policies in education and research. Her work has gained international recognition, with interviews and features in major media outlets such as Reuters and ABC News.

Chong LIU

Cynthia Mouandilmadji is a political science researcher and international consultant specializing in youth civic engagement, governance, and public policy. She advises institutions and organizations on political dynamics analysis and the development of strategic policy recommendations.
Currently a research assistant to Dr. Adama Sadio (international consultant) in Dakar, she studies youth participation in local elections and its impact on public policies. Her work involves collecting and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data, as well as drafting strategic recommendations for policymakers.
Throughout her career, she has collaborated with various stakeholders, including public institutions, researchers, and civil society organizations. Her expertise has been shaped by in-depth studies on governance, security, and citizen participation, with a particular focus on West Africa and the Sahel. She has contributed to reports and studies that influence youth engagement strategies and has presented her research at conferences on democracy and political participation. Her work has also led her to co-author academic publications on public policy and youth engagement.
With extensive experience in political and strategic analysis, she designs and conducts research, formulates recommendations, and participates in initiatives aimed at strengthening youth inclusion in democratic processes. Her ability to communicate findings effectively and raise awareness on these issues makes her a key player in governance and advocacy. She also possesses in-depth knowledge of Africa’s political and social landscape, reinforced by expertise in electoral dynamics and citizen participation.
Actively engaged in civil society, she is a member of the Chadian Students’ Association in Senegal and regularly participates in forums and conferences on youth and democracy. She aspires to shape inclusive public policies where youth play a central role in governance and strategic decision-making.

Cynthia MOUANDILMADJI

Darya Shkarupina is a Belarusian political scientist living in Belgium. She currently works as a Programmes Assistant at the European Partnership for Democracy, where she contributes to electoral support projects in Africa. Prior to joining EPD, she worked as a Communication and Policy Assistant at the Mission of Democratic Belarus in Brussels and as a Policy Advisor at the Belarusian Youth Council “RADA,” focusing on youth political participation and democracy promotion.

She holds a Master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Antwerp, where she specialised in EU security and defence policy, as well as the European Union’s approach towards the Eastern Partnership countries. Her professional interests include democracy support, electoral processes, and EU foreign policy, particularly in relation to Belarus and the wider EaP region.

Darya SHKARUPINA

David Gamboa Solano is a Junior Policy Analyst at the OECD Centre for Tax Policy and Administration, where he works in the Tax and Environment Unit. He holds a Master’s degree in Comparative Politics from Sciences Po Paris, with a regional focus on Latin America. He has previously contributed to global governance and trust indicators through his work on the Government at a Glance publication.

David Gamboa Solano

Invested and interested in social and political sciences, Dechen aspires to be a Social Scientist. A blend of countryside roots and cosmopolitan outlook places Dechen to a ‘grounded ambition’. 

I request to have my bio very short (the one above) I added this simply to make the total characters. 

Invested and interested in social and political sciences. With countryside roots, formal education including stints in Spain and the United Kingdom opened Dechen’s door to understanding public affairs beyond his native village of 11 households. Rural upbringing vis-à-vis educational and professional experiences place Dechen in a position to situate Bhutan’s public policy challenges such as rural-urban migration, regional inequality, and inter-generational value differences in Bhutan’s development trajectory. He publishes his writing about Bhutan’s public affairs and his lived experiences on his personal website, www.dechenrabgyal.com.

Dechen RABGYAL

Dengiyefa Angalapu is a Political Scientist and Research Analyst at the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa). He is also a Virtual Fellow at the SOAS Centre for Pan-African Studies, where he contributes to critical research on governance, security, and sustainable development across the Global South.

His expertise spans democracy, peacebuilding, and natural resource management. His work on democracy is strongly focused on election technology and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in electoral processes. He also delves into internal democracy within political parties, trust-building in democratic institutions, and strategies to enhance electoral integrity and political accountability.

In the field of conflict and peacebuilding, he investigates terrorism, insurgencies, and security sector reform, providing insights that inform policy decisions across West Africa. His work on natural resource governance addresses pressing issues such as climate-induced violence, crude oil disputes, mining-related conflicts, and the politics of environmental sustainability, advocating for policies that balance economic interests with long-term ecological resilience.

Beyond research, Dengiyefa is a dedicated mentor and advocate for youth empowerment. He is the founder of the Africa-Next Thinkers Program, a bi-monthly virtual mentorship initiative that provides a platform for young people to share their challenges and receive guidance from experienced youth mentors. Through this initiative, he fosters leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills among Africa’s next generation of changemakers. Furthering his commitment to peacebuilding, Dengiyefa founded the Peace to the Streets and Creeks Movement, an advocacy platform where young people engage in peer-driven conversations on conflict resolution, social cohesion, and community-led peace initiatives. 

Dengiyefa believes that the exclusion and underutilization of youth capacity are among Africa’s most significant governance challenges, and his work seeks to bridge this gap through research, advocacy, and strategic engagement.

Dengiyefa ANGALAPU

Dércio Tsandzana is a Mozambican PhD in Political Science from Sciences Po (France) and a Lecturer at Eduardo Mondlane University. Since 2013, he has been actively engaged in research and advocacy on youth, the Internet, social media, and political participation in Mozambique, including online activism for both national and international organisations. In addition to his PhD, Tsandzana has conducted research on digital rights and data privacy with organisations such as Freedom House, Meta/Facebook, Internews/USAID, UNESCO, and the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria. Between 2022 and 2023, he served as a senior consultant for UNICEF, covering six countries in West Africa: Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, and Guinea-Conakry. He is an active member of the African Digital Rights Network (ADRN) and the African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms Initiative (AfDec). His most recent book, Digital Citizenship, was published in 2023. Tsandzana was named one of the 100 most influential people in the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) in 2021 and was recognised in 2023 as one of the 100 most influential Black personalities in Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOP).

Dercio TSANDZANA

Dr. Intifar Chowdhury is a Lecturer in Government at Flinders. In July 2023, Intifar completed her PhD in political science at the Australian National University. Her doctoral research tackled the question of whether young people are turning away from democracy. It comprised a quantitative enquiry of advanced democracies using survey data from comparative databases. Beyond academia, Intifar continually strives to translate her research work into public good: her political commentary on youth politics has appeared in diverse media platforms, including The Conversation, The Guardian, The Interpreter,  ABC QandA, Al Jazeera English, Triple J Hack, Reuters, and so on. Before joining Flinders in her first academic position, Intifar has worked at the Commonwealth Parliament of Australia, the Canberra Hospital, the Wissenschaftszentrum fur Scozialforschun (WZB) in Berlin. During her PhD at ANU, she worked at the Australian Data Archive (ADA) and at POLIS as well as a Senior Survey Research Officer for a youth longitudinal Post-School Destination (GENERATION) survey.

Dr Intifar CHOWDHURY

Dr. Lavau Nalu (he/him) is a proud Blak multidisciplinary storyteller, researcher, and humanitarian based on occupied Piscataway land in so-called Washington, D.C. He is a recognized Pacific leader committed to advancing health equity, Indigenous representation, and social justice. His medical training in Australia, Vietnam, and Papua New Guinea informs his work in global health and policy. He has participated in international discussions on health, equity, and Indigenous rights, advocating for systems that uplift Indigenous knowledge and leadership. As the co-founder of archiveples, he works to reclaim and reshape PNG narratives, amplifying Indigenous voices and histories. Through his work, he strives to improve health literacy, access, and opportunities for Indigenous communities, ensuring their stories and leadership are centered in building a more just and equitable future.

Dr Lavau K NALU

Dr Nicole Beardsworth is a lecturer in Politics at the University of the Witwatersrand and an honorary research fellow in Politics and International Studies (PAIS) at the University of Warwick. Nicole holds a PhD in Politics from the University of Warwick, an MA in International Relations from the University of the Witwatersrand and an MSc in African Studies from the University of Oxford. Her PhD focused on opposition parties and electoral coordination in Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Her broader research is on the history and politics of sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on political parties, governance, democratisation and elections in Southern and Eastern Africa. Nicole has been widely quoted by the media in South Africa and abroad, and has been quoted by the New York Times, BBC, Reuters, AFP and others. She has written extensively on political parties and elections in Southern and Eastern Africa, in both popular media and academic articles.

Dr Nicole BEARDSWORTH

Dr. Patrick Mlinga is a lecturer at the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Dar es Salaam. He holds a PhD in African studies from the University of Leipzig in Germany. His doctoral research focused on everyday practices in African cities. His recent projects examine the agency of urban dwellers in shaping their social and economic development, challenging dominant narratives that often marginalise local knowledge, content, and practices.

Dr. Patrick E. MLINGA

Dr. Pippie HUGUES

He earned his Law degree in 2011 from the University of Cienfuegos, Cuba, and has built a career dedicated to civil rights advocacy, civic education, and the legal-political analysis of the Cuban context. After graduation, he worked as a lawyer for the National Organization of Collective Law Firms (ONBC), Cuba’s sole provider of legal services to individuals, and served as an assistant professor at the University of Cienfuegos from 2014 to 2016. In 2017, he founded the Colectivo Más Voces Foundation, an initiative focused on empowering Cuban citizens through strategic communication and civic education. His work has included leading citizen engagement projects, participating in international democracy forums, and collaborating with organizations like Amnesty International in defense of human rights. In 2023, he became a licensed Paralegal in Ontario, Canada, continuing his legal advisory work in exile. As a researcher and activist, he specializes in Cuban constitutionalism, authoritarian legal systems, and the effects of law on fundamental freedoms. He coordinates El Toque Jurídico, a legal education project within the independent outlet El Toque, and currently collaborates as an adjunct researcher with organizations such as GAPAC (Mexico), Transparencia Electoral (Argentina), and ICNL (USA), in addition to contributing to academic publications from universities in Latin America and Europe.

Eloy VIERA CAÑIVE

Eugenia D'Angelo is a lawyer with a PhD in Human Rights from Carlos III University (Madrid), a Master's in International Cooperation and Development (University of Montpellier, France), a degree in International Relations and Political Science (University of Lyon 3, France), and a Master's in Environmental Law (University of Limoges). She is the executive director of the Franco-Argentine think tank MundoSur.  

Eugenia is an expert in gender, gender-based violence, human rights, and international cooperation. She works with international organizations, civil society organizations, and/or governments, providing advice, consulting, and training. She is also a speaker and the author of numerous academic articles on gender-based violence, feminism, international cooperation, and South-South cooperation, among other topics.

Eugenia D'ANGELO

Gracia María GRANDE

Haja Isatu BAH

Mr. Harry James Olikwailafa: Architect of Youth-Driven Change in the Pacific Two-decade career redefining youth empowerment in Solomon Islands/Pacific; merges traditional values with modern advocacy; ethical leadership in anti-corruption, climate policy. Current Roles: *-Chairman, Solomon Islands National Youth Congress (SINYC): Amplifies youth voices in national decisions; ensures National Youth Policy 2017-2035 addresses 60% under-30 population; prioritizes marginalized groups (urban poor, rural youth, women); secured 3 INGO partnerships (Climate Action, Health, Economic Empowerment).* *-Two-Term Board Member, Development Services Exchange (DSE): Championed transparency; co-drafted NGO Code of Conduct (50+ adoptions); lobbied Public Finance Management Act for community-led environmental/gender projects.* Career Milestones: *-Founding President, Honiara Urban Youth Council (2011–2020): Tackled unemployment/social exclusion; partnered with UNDP/NGOs; trained 2,000+ youth in leadership, digital literacy, human rights.* *-Vice Chair, Pacific Youth Council: United 15 Pacific nations via Innovation 4 Change – Pacific Hub; held governments accountable for climate/governance commitments.* *-First Pacific Rep, Commonwealth Youth Council (2013–2015): Advocated Commonwealth Youth Development Index (54 nations); 2015 CHOGM speech demanded climate reparations for island states.* Awards: *-Commonwealth Secretariat Recognition: 4 awards, including 2014 Youth Award finalist; pioneered Youth Leadership &amp; Financial Education Skills model (1,200+ trained).* *-2014 Solomon Islands National Youth Award: Leadership/community work.* *-2012 Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award: Mentored 300+ at-risk youth via outdoor programs.* Anti-Corruption Legacy: *-Co-led 2018 coalition reviving Anti-Corruption Bill; mobilized 1,500+ youth signatures (37% total); Transparency Marches/social campaigns led to 2019 Act establishing Solomon Islands’ ICAC; advises ICAC on youth initiatives.* Education: Professional Diploma in Public Sector Management (USP); applied participatory governance to SINYC dialogues. Recent Initiatives (2020–2025): -Youth Advisor, Pacific Youth Development Framework PYDF 2026–2035

Harry James OLIKWAILAFA

Hassan T. Alwer is a Jordanian researcher, entrepreneur, and political advocate with a deep commitment to youth engagement, governance, and policy reform. With extensive expertise in research and data analysis, he closely follows political, economic, and social developments in the Levant and neighboring regions, offering insights into emerging trends and challenges.

A third-generation farmer, Hassan holds a degree in renewable energy engineering from the German Jordanian University, complemented by an exchange semester in Magdeburg and an internship at 50Hertz in Berlin. His background in engineering and agriculture led him to establish Mozari3.com, an agricultural platform serving as a gateway for farmers to sell their products directly to customers, thereby modernizing farming practices and improving market access.

Passionate about governance and democracy, Hassan is a graduate of the School of Politics at the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD), where he deepened his understanding of political systems, policymaking, and democratic transitions. He has also worked as a freelance consultant with NIMD on multiple projects, contributing to research and capacity-building initiatives.

In addition to his political work, Hassan is an experienced consultant specializing in agri-food policies and business development in Jordan. He advises stakeholders across the agricultural sector, helping design strategies that enhance food security, sustainability, and market access. As a member of Jordan’s Civil Alliance political movement, he actively advocates for equality, liberty, and the rule of law, pushing for inclusive policies that empower marginalized communities.

Through his ongoing research on global youth participation in politics, Hassan seeks to amplify young voices in governance, exploring pathways for meaningful political engagement and representation in democratic processes.

Hassan T. ALWER

Hélène Ramaroson is Junior Consultant at méristHemE. After having pursued studies in International Relations and Diplomacy, she worked as Research Assistant at the European Partnership for Democracy and co-authored the European Democracy Support Annual Review 2024. As a Franco-Malagasy, Hélène is particularly passionate and seeks to specialize herself in relations between Europe and Africa and the role of these relations in vie of working towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. She is currently working as consultant, trainer and aims to become certified as a coach in order to address her topics of expertise in a more systemic and innovative way.

Hélène RAMAROSON

Jiwon Kim is a social policy researcher from South Korea specializing in welfare politics, youth policy, and precarious labor. With an academic background in political science, international relations, and social welfare, she earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Chung-Ang University in Seoul, South Korea. Her recent research has focused on the socioeconomic challenges faced by young people, particularly those navigating multidimensional precariousness across labor, income, and asset insecurity. Her master’s thesis, “Mapping the Economic Precariousness of Youth,” examined how systemic and structural factors affect young people's economic autonomy.

Jiwon has practical experience in social policy research through her work at institutions such as the Seoul Institute, where she contributed to the Inclusive City Research Division. She has also been involved in interdisciplinary projects that address youth inclusion, asset-based inequality, and digital transitions in welfare systems. Her co-authored peer-reviewed article, “Youth Policy in the Era of Asset Economy,” explores the intersection of wealth concentration and generational precarity in the context of Korean policymaking. She is also the co-author of a forthcoming book chapter to be published in Neoliberalization of South Korea (Springer Nature, April 2025), a volume edited by Kyung-Sup Chang, Se-Kyun Kim, and Keun Lee.

Her broader research interests include welfare state transformation, comparative social policy, and inequality in the context of asset-based economies.

Jiwon KIM

Josaia Tokoni
Policy Advocate | Researcher | Humanitarian Practitioner | Social Worker
Josaia Tokoni is a dedicated policy advocate, researcher, humanitarian practitioner, and social worker committed to strengthening youth participation, social policy, and disaster resilience in Fiji. As the Program Manager at the Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS), he leads initiatives that empower young people in policy engagement, community resilience, and humanitarian response, ensuring their voices are central to national development efforts.
With extensive experience in policy analysis, governance, civil society coordination, and social work, Josaia has worked to enhance youth-led disaster preparedness, civic engagement, and community-based social support. His background includes parliamentary research, social development programs, and grassroots advocacy, equipping him with the expertise to bridge youth voices with decision-making spaces and drive inclusive, people-centered policies.
Passionate about locally-led solutions, social justice, and youth empowerment, Josaia continues to advocate for inclusive policies that recognize young people as key agents of change in governance, disaster response, and social development. Currently pursuing Postgraduate studies in Social Policy, he remains committed to advancing social work principles in community resilience, youth participation, and sustainable development across Fiji and the Pacific.

Josaia TOKONI

Keletso M THOBEGA

Linda Barry is a Guinean-Dutch feminist activist dedicated to social justice, sexual and reproductive health, and youth engagement. With an MSc in Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology from Leiden University and a BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences from Utrecht University College.

She currently serves as the alliance manager for the She Leads programme at Plan International The Netherlands. She Leads is a multi-year, multi-country initiative which seeks to strengthen the participation of girls and young women in decision-making processes across the Middle East and Africa. Linda has extensive experience in gender equality and children’s rights, having worked with organisations such as Defence for Children - ECPAT The Netherlands, Women Deliver and CHOICE for Youth &amp; Sexuality. Previously, she served on the supervisory board of the Dutch Young Climate Movement where she advised on issues relating to diversity and inclusion, youth participation and organisational development. Linda is passionate about fostering inclusive spaces and collaborations for change.

Linda BARRY

Lucas Henrique Ribeiro, Ph.D. in Political Science from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (Brazil), is a researcher and consultant specialising in public policy, advocacy, and social impact. His professional background spans academia, consulting, and public administration, where he has honed the ability to integrate theoretical insights with practical applications to support evidence-based decision-making. His consulting work includes applied social research, socio-economic diagnostics, public policy advising, and community engagement for diverse stakeholders. His academic research focuses on advocacy in Brazil, with publications on lobbying practices and political influence in the Brazilian National Congress. Recently, he has provided social and political analysis for international organisations, NGOs, and private sector clients.

Lucas Henrique RIBEIRO

Lucille Onyango is a gender, equity, and social inclusion specialist, integrating gender and diversity into programmes and operations within civil society and government across various development contexts. Lucille's expertise includes providing technical advice and programming across sectors such as SRHR, energy, VAW, climate change, and politics in Africa. Lucille's skills encompass feminist participatory research &amp; monitoring and evaluation, capacity building, advocacy, gender analysis, gender mainstreaming, and public policy analysis.

Lucille ONYANGO

Lynrose Jane Genon is currently a PhD candidate at the Digital Media Research Center of Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia. She is also a faculty member (on study leave) at the Department of English of Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT). She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Arts in Culture and Arts Studies.

Lynrose Jane GENON

Marie Dominique Kouakou is a dedicated legal researcher and PhD candidate in Public International Law at Panthéon Sorbonne University (Paris 1), with a strong academic and professional focus on human rights, international humanitarian law (IHL), and forced migration. Her doctoral thesis, titled “The International Protection for Internally Displaced Persons Victims of Conflicts or Armed Violence,” reflects her commitment to addressing the legal and humanitarian challenges faced by vulnerable populations in conflict zones. She is expected to defend her thesis in June 2025.
Marie Dominique has built a robust professional profile through engagements with global institutions such as the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD). At OHCHR, she supported the Special Rapporteur on Eritrea and worked on critical issues including enforced disappearances and human rights monitoring in East Africa. 
Her recent consultancy with the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD) involved conducting in-depth research and high-level stakeholder interviews on youth political engagement in Côte d’Ivoire, leading to a country profile for the Global Youth Participation Index (GYPI).
Fluent in French and English, Marie Dominique brings strong skills in legal research, policy analysis, and communication, and is passionate about advancing justice and democratic inclusion through her work in international organizations, academia, and policy think tanks.

Marie-Dominique KOUAKOU

Marwa is a Sudanese scholar and development professional committed to inclusive development and people-centered governance in pursuit of social justice.

Her work spans education policy and social protection, with a strong focus on post-colonial knowledge production and the architecture of social justice ecosystems.

She holds a professional master’s in Development Management from the University of Torino and an MA in Education Planning, Economics, and International Development from UCL – University of London.

Marwa has collaborated with national and international think tanks and research institutions on initiatives related to gender-responsive policies and meaningful political participation. Her practice is grounded in intersectional advocacy and a deep belief in nationally led transformation.

A committed Pan-Africanist, she serves the movement by advancing strategies for cross-border solidarity and strengthening regional partnerships.

She is also an aspiring filmmaker, passionate about dismantling narratives of dominance and exploring the power dynamics of collective memory and systems of re-membrance through experimental art and creative mediums rooted in Sudanese and African cultural forms.

Marwa GALALEDIN

Masingoaneng Magdalena Mahase joined the European Partnership for Democracy as a Data Consultant for Lesotho in March 2024, working on the WYDE Civic Engagement project, part of the European Commission’s Women and Youth in Democratic Engagement (WYDE). Previously, she was a Trainee at the European Union Delegation to Lesotho for six months. She also worked as a Survey Enumerator for the Brand Health Tracking (BHT) Survey at Econet Telecom Lesotho, where she collected data on brand awareness and customer satisfaction. Additionally, she was a University Research Assistant at the National University of Lesotho, where she conducted surveys with alumni to gather insights on their career paths and life situations. Masingoaneng holds a Master of Arts in Economics from Gujarat University, India, and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a minor in Statistics from the National University of Lesotho. Her interests include Development Economics, the Economics of Social Infrastructure, Political Economy, and Governance, particularly how international institutions engage with national governments and civil society.

Masingoaneng Magdalena MAHASE

Maurice THANTAN

Mohaned AGABELDOUR

Nak Srey is a Business Development Partner and CSR Specialist at Sarana Law Firm in Cambodia, where she consults clients on business strategies, framework of responsibility, and sustainability embedment. She has eight years of experience working with the law firm, the hybrid court - Khmer Rouge Tribunal, and other non-governmental organizations. She has engaged in several research projects with the Raoul Wallenberg Institute on responsible business conduct in Cambodia. Through this work, she received the YSEALI (Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative) Women Leaders Award for Pioneering Impact in 2024. She has earned three master’s degrees in international human rights law (Lund University, Sweden), public international law (Paris 8 University, France), and leadership for sustainability (Malmö University, Sweden). She did her bachelor’s degree in English Language Based Bachelor of Law (ELBBL), RULE, Cambodia.

Nak SREY

Nayan Ranjan Kumar is trained in social development and change management. Nayan has been contributing to child, women and youth development initiatives in many states. Nayan works for children, women and youth in distress and has been a leading force in engaging with policy, programme and research activities.

Nayan Ranjan KUMAR

Obaa Akua KONADU-OSEI

A Lawyer and Social Worker specializing in Public Policy and holding a Master's in Social Sciences from the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences (FLACSO). She has been awarded prestigious postgraduate scholarships for academic merit by the Latin American Council of Social Sciences (CLACSO) to pursue a Master's in Local Government and by the Ibero-American Association of Postgraduate Universities (AUIP) to pursue a Master's in Higher Education. She is currently a PhD candidate in Social Sciences with a focus on Government and Public Policy at the University of Buenos Aires (UBA), Argentina.
She served as Director of Youth at the Municipality of Asunción and is currently the Director of University Extension and a permanent faculty member at the Faculty of Social Sciences of the National University of Asunción (UNA). Her trajectory as a youth activist includes serving as Vice President of the Student Center at the Faculty of Law and leading university mobilizations against corruption. Additionally, she played a prominent role as a youth leader of the Authentic Radical Liberal Party (PLRA), where she served as a national youth member, leader of the movement representing the third force in the party’s Directorate, and later as a candidate for Asunción City Councilor.
She has been recognized as an Outstanding Young Researcher by the National University of Asunción and the Association of Universities of the Montevideo Group (AUGM), which brings together public universities from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, and Bolivia. Currently, she is a member of the Young Researchers Network, an initiative of the European Partnership for Democracy and the Youth Democracy Cohort, where she collaborates on research and projects focused on strengthening youth policies and youth participation at the regional level in South America.

Olga María PAREDES BRITEZ

Oripha Chimwara is a lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe where she teaches modules across the Political Science discipline. Her teaching areas include, Governance in Africa and African Political Ideas. Oripha has several publications that span areas of natural resource governance, women, and democratisation. Through her research and publications, she promotes accountability, democratic governance and sustainable development. 
Oripha is a member of the Young Research Network, a youth program under the European Partnership for Democracy where she is working on an individual project on youth participation. 
She recently completed her PhD in Political Studies at Northwest University, South Africa. She also holds an MSc in International Relations (University of Zimbabwe) and a BSc in Political Science (University of Zimbabwe).

Oripha CHIMWARA

I am Dr. Patrícia Dantas dos Reis, a dedicated public health specialist with over 10 years of experience bridging research, education, and policy implementation. Holding a PhD in Health Sciences from Fiocruz (Brazil) and a Master's in Economic and Social Development from ISCTE-IUL (Portugal), my career has focused on advancing health equity and strengthening education systems in Cabo Verde and internationally.
Since 2012, I have served as Assistant Professor at the University of Cabo Verde, Jean Piaget University, and Intercontinental University, where I teach graduate courses in Health Economics, Epidemiology, and Research Methodology. My research specializes in quantitative analysis and gender equity studies, with collaborations including WHO, UNICEF, and the World Bank.
As Project Manager for the Akelius Foundation/UNDP partnership, I led digital education initiatives from curriculum design to impact assessment. I've also coordinated critical public health programs like COVID-19 vaccine monitoring and socio-economic surveys, translating data into actionable policy recommendations.
Fluent in Portuguese, English, and Cape Verdean Creole, I am committed to creating sustainable connections between academia, research, and real-world development challenges. My work continues to focus on building evidence-based solutions that address health disparities and improve education access in Cabo Verde and beyond.

Patrícia Dantas dos REIS

Phyo Ei Thwe is a development practitioner with over a decade of experience in program management, policy research, and data analysis. Phyo has extensive experience working in the governance and social development programs – such as civic and voter education, elections observation, governance, public service delivery, and social development – and liaised with various stakeholders including policy makers, INGOs, NGOs, civil society groups and technical experts. She has carried out several political economy analyses, stakeholders and power analyses and policy analysis in the context of governance and social development projects. These experiences have enabled her to commit to providing actionable policy recommendations to guide political and socio-economic development.

Phyo holds a Master of International Development Policy from Duke University and a bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts with a major in Public Relations from Assumption University of Thailand.

Phyo Ei THWE

With over nine years of experience as a Ugandan human rights lawyer and rights defender, Rebecca Karagwa has consistently advocated for transformational policies grounded in principles of democracy, good governance, and the rule of law. Her professional journey has been shaped by a profound commitment to advancing human rights and contributing meaningfully to the development of international legal and policy frameworks.

Karagwa has collaborated with both national and international civil society organizations, advocated for change through mainstream and alternative media, and mentored young girls to empower them in their pursuit of justice. Nationally, her contributions have been recognised through notable achievements. In 2023, Karagwa was named by New Vision, a leading East African publication, among Uganda’s Top 40 Under 40 for her exceptional work in human rights advocacy.In 2020, she completed an eight-month online Diplomatic Fellowship with the Federation of International Gender and Human Rights in New York, where she honed her skills in facilitating community dialogues on gender and human rights across diverse institutions. Earlier, in 2019, Karagwa represented young women at Uganda’s National Youth Dialogue on Economic Inclusion, further solidifying her commitment to inclusive policy making.

On the international stage, Karagwa has represented youth voices and contributed to global dialogues on governance and leadership. In 2024, she represented young members of the Alliance for National Transformation; an influential national political party, at the Deutschlandtag in Halle, Europe’s largest youth political gathering. That same year, Karagwa participated in the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung’s International Visitors’ Program in Berlin, where discussions emphasised the intersection of multilateralism and emerging global leadership paradigms. In 2023, Karagwa was invited by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders to attend the 25th Anniversary of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders in Vienna, reflecting her sustained engagement in global human rights advocacy.

Rebecca KARAGWA

Safiatou MALLE

Sharafdzhon BOBORAKHIMOV

Tharinda DE SILVA

My name is Tuyeimo Haidula. I am a multi-award winning Health and Community Journalist with over 10 years’ experience, throughout print, wire agency and digital outlets across Namibia, South Africa, India and the United Kingdom.

I am currently employed by Namibia Media Holdings under Namibian Sun Newspaper. I have worked with the BBC Africa, Bhekisisa, openDemocracy, The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, The Namibian and Citizen News Service as well as the Global Health Strategies.

In 2021 I successfully completed the YALI Regional Leadership Centre Southern Africa online programme as a young leader committed to transforming Africa.

I participated in the One Young World Community in 2022 and the Second International Conference on Public Health in Africa which was held in Rwanad’s Kigali in 2022.

Since 2021, I have been working as a consultant in collaboration with Global Health Strategies, MSD to engage the office of the First Lady, the health and the education ministers to discuss opportunities to scale up high-quality and comprehensive cervical cancer prevention and control efforts in Namibia. The aim is to share Merck’s commitment to working with global partners to address the elimination of cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases globally, including in Namibia. Understand the current state of HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening in Namibia and any plan towards national comprehensive prevention and control of cervical cancer. 

In my pursuit of gaining knowledge of the rapidly transforming twenty-first century media ecosystem, I joined the African Union Media Fellowship 2023/24 to deepen and sharpen my theoretical and practical grounding on the African Union Agenda 2063 which is one of the most ambitious attempts to craft a development blueprint and master plan for Africa.

The fellowship also aims to revolutionise African media by promoting cross-border coverage, encouraging collaboration between journalists and policymakers, and challenging harmful stereotypes about the continent.

Tuyeimo HAIDULA

Ulemu Hannah Kanyongolo is a lawyer, researcher and lecturer at the University of Malawi’s School of Law, Economics and Government. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of Malawi and a Master of Laws in Human Rights from the University of Cape Town where she studied as a Mandela Rhodes Scholar. Ulemu is involved in research, advocacy and movement building in various capacities. Most notably, she is the founder of the Young Feminists Network, which she established in 2018. Through the Network, she empowers young Malawian women to advocate for gender equality as well as legal and policy reform. 

Her research and advocacy work focuses on gender and the law, sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as technology facilitated violence against women. With a strong passion for gender justice and legal empowerment, Ulemu remains dedicated to challenging systemic inequalities, amplifying young people and women’s voices, and bringing about transformative change in Malawi and beyond.

Ulemu Hannah KANYONGOLO

Wanda CEDEÑO MOLLEDA

Yahye MOHAMED

Yaxys Cires Dib is currently deputy vice president of the Christian Democratic Organization of America (ODCA), which is why he is knowledgeable about the reality of the region as well as specific countries. Graduated in Law with master's degrees in Commercial Law, International Law and International Relations, and Political Action. He has a postgraduate degree on Intelligence from the General Gutiérrez Mellado University Institute (Spain) and a course on the Rule of Law, Armed Forces and Defense Policies from the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies (USA). He was a member of the Center for Civic and Religious Formation and of the Catholic Commission for Culture in Pinar del Río, Cuba. He was vice president of the Christian Democrat Organization of America from 2013-2016. He was an assistant between 2003-2005 of Ricardo Arias Calderón, a Panamanian statesman. As a legal advisor/consultant, he has contributed to important projects in the private sector, some of them regional in Latin America.

Yaxys CIRES DIB

Yordanos T. Wolde is a dedicated advocate with a deep commitment to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights, boasting extensive experience in areas such as Youth Engagement, Advocacy, Peace and Security, and the  implementation of a Gender Transformative Approach. Her professional journey, spanning over ten years, includes significant roles in both local and international development organizations, as well as various consultancies. Her work primarily focused on programs in Ethiopia, across East Africa, and international programs, aimed at enhancing the health and well-being of adolescents and young people.
Raised in regions targeted by HIV Programs, Yordanos has been a fervent advocate, working closely with marginalized groups. This includes Adolescent Girls and Young Women in rural areas, young individuals with disabilities, adolescents in urban slums, sex workers, and survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV). In her collaborative efforts, she has engaged with a diverse range of stakeholders, including donors, local and international civil societies, multilaterals, and government bodies at federal, regional, and sub-city levels, in order to create the ever so needed enabling environment in their respective communities.

In her notable contributions, Yordanos has co-authored the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health's Adolescent and Youth Engagement Strategy for 2018-2024. Additionally, she had a commentary published in BMC Reproductive Health Journal analyzing the existing gaps of Adolescent and Youth SRH needs in Ethiopia in 2022.

Yordanos T. WOLDE

To ensure local knowledge and context informed the GYPI, we worked with a team of national consultants. These experts supported the data collection process and provided commentary on the political, civic, and socio-economic realities affecting youth participation in their respective countries.