In the second episode of Season 2 of the Thank You Democracy Podcast, we continued our conversation from last week with Mary Yvonne Ododah and Mumbiko King’ori. This episode covers what they think a stronger, more inclusive democracy could look like in Africa, what gives them hope, and what they want the next generation of democracy defenders to know.

Mary Yvonne Ododa serves as a Board Member of our Coalition Partner, The Youth Cafe, is the Founder of Jarumi Ventures Africa, the Executive Director at Nuru Trust Network, a fellow from the Institute for Economic and Peace (IEP) and a One Young World Ambassador. Mary is also an published author and an active member of both the UN Women Regional Civil Society Advisory Group (RCSAG) for Eastern and Southern Africa and the UN CSO Coalition on Human Rights and Counter Terrorism.

Mumbiko King’ori is a passionate youth serving as the partnerships associate at The Youth Cafe, former youngest Presidential aspirant in Kenya, founding director of the Young Aspirants and Aspiring Leaders Network, a WYDE Youth Advisory board member with our Coalition Partner, European Partnership for Democracy where he initiated the commercialization of politics advocacy. He is also a Fellow with our Coalition Partner Kofi Annan Foundation and a volunteer consultant at the Kenya Inclusive Political Parties Technical Working Group with our Coalition Partner, Westminster Foundation for Democracy.

To listen in to the second half of Mary and Mumbiko’s journeys and perspectives, tune in to this episode. 

In the first episode of Season 2 of the Thank You Democracy Podcast, we sat down with Mary Yvonne Ododah and Mumbiko King’ori in Nairobi, Kenya just prior to the GDC Africa Forum 2025. This episode covers how they first got involved in democracy work, the personal experiences that shaped them and the real pushback they face in shrinking civic spaces across Africa. 

Mary Yvonne Ododa serves as a Board Member of our Coalition Partner, The Youth Cafe, is the Founder of Jarumi Ventures Africa, the Executive Director at Nuru Trust Network, a fellow from the Institute for Economic and Peace (IEP) and a One Young World Ambassador. Mary is also an published author and an active member of both the UN Women Regional Civil Society Advisory Group (RCSAG) for Eastern and Southern Africa and the UN CSO Coalition on Human Rights and Counter Terrorism.

Mumbiko King’ori is a passionate youth serving as the partnerships associate at The Youth Cafe, former youngest Presidential aspirant in Kenya, founding director of the Young Aspirants and Aspiring Leaders Network, a WYDE Youth Advisory board member with our Coalition Partner, European Partnership for Democracy where he initiated the commercialization of politics advocacy. He is also a Fellow with our Coalition Partner Kofi Annan Foundation and a volunteer consultant at the Kenya Inclusive Political Parties Technical Working Group with our Coalition Partner, Westminster Foundation for Democracy. 

To learn more about Mary and Mumbiko’s journeys and perspectives, listen in to this episode. Be sure to tune in to the second part of this conversation in Episode 2 next week!

In this upcoming episode of the Thank You Democracy Podcast, Asia Centre sat down with Chaehyun Kim, to discuss representation and barriers to youth in government, recent political events in South Korea, major youth-led democratic movements, and the existence of  and recommendations in overcoming barrier in youth participation on politics.

Chaehyun Kim is an undergraduate in Division of Global Korean Studies, Korea University, and double-majoring in Political Science & International Relations. She is now active as a team leader of the Peace and Public Diplomacy Corps, the Korea Democracy Foundation, and serving as a research assistant in Gender Politics and Politics of Migration. She is motivated by a commitment to solve the current conflicts existing in Korea, such as gender conflicts and discrimination against the socially weak, as a researcher.

To learn more about Chaehyun Kim’s journey and perspective, listen to this episode. 

In the upcoming fourth episode of Season 2 of the Thank You Democracy Podcast, we sat down with Nadia Tjahja and Camilo Toledo. This episode covers their journeys into the the internet governance and democracy space, the rise of disinformation and political polarization, how to protect against digital violence, and why we need to protect the freedoms promised in democracies.

Nadia Tjahja is the coordinator of the Youth Dialogue on Internet Governance (YOUthDIG), a yearly pre-event to the European Dialogue on Internet Governance (EuroDIG), a PhD Fellow at United Nations University-CRIS and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), and a Steering Group Expert for the research on Artificial Intelligence and young people at the Council of Europe and European Commission.

Camilo Toledo is a digital sociologist specializing in global digital inclusion, gender, education, and development studies currently working with InternetBolivia.org Foundation, actively promoting digital rights and diverse solutions to bridge the digital gap in Bolivia and the wider region.

To hear more about Nadia and Camilo’s journey, perspective, and advice, tune in to this episode.

In the upcoming fifth episode of the Thank You Democracy Podcast, we sat down with Nicolas Albertoni. This episode covers his personal journey into politics and public service, his gratitude for his mentors, the role economic openness and international cooperation plays in strengthening democracy, the state of democracy in Uruguay, and more.

Nicolás Albertoni was Uruguay’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2022 until the end of President Lacalle Pou’s time in office (March 2025) as well as a member of Clud De Madrid’s WYDE Network. He’s also a recognized academic and expert in international politics and regional integration. With a PhD in political science and international relations, a master’s degree in economics, and a strong track record of contributing to public debate on Uruguay’s and Latin America´s global positioning, Nicolás brings a unique perspective to the intersection of diplomacy, economic cooperation, and democratic governance.

To hear more about Nicolas’s journey, perspective, and advice, tune in to this episode.

In this episode of the Thank You Democracy Podcast, the key implementers of the #ThankYouDemocracy campaign: Elisenda Balleste, Laura Flores, Nestor Baez, and Nicki Kalfas, convened to share inside stories and comments about the process and development of this campaign. This episode will cover why Club De Madrid wanted to join the campaign, how our expectations evolved along the way, why collaboration has been so vital, advice for new democracy advocates, ideas for new ways the campaign could evolve, and each of our favourite moments or aspects of the campaign. 

In this episode of the Thank You Democracy Podcast, the Global Democracy Coalition sat down with Ambassador H.E. Kyaw Moe Tun, Myanmar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations under the democratically elected government, to discuss what it has been like to serve as an ambassador during such a turbulent period in Myanmar’s history, his commitment to democracy and human rights at the UN, his decision to speak out against the military coup at the UN General Assembly in February 2021, the challenges he has faced in ensuring the voices of Myanmar’s people are heard on the global stage, and more. 

Ambassador H.E. Kyaw Moe Tun has previously served as Myanmar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, as well as the Conference on Disarmament, from July 2018 to October 2020.  He concurrently served as Ambassador to Switzerland, as well as Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

To learn more about the Ambassador’s journey, and to hear his motivating perspective, listen to this episode. 

In this episode of the Thank You Democracy Podcast, the Global Democracy Coalition sat down with Silvia Alvarenga, a student of International Relations, General Coordinator at the Feliciano Martínez Foundation, National Coordinator at Cultura Democrática and Representative of Juventud LAC. During this episode, she discusses the biggest challenges young people face when trying to engage in political processes and democratic movements, both in Paraguay and across Latin America, some of the most rewarding initiatives or projects she has been involved in that have advanced the cause of youth participation in democracy, the challenges with the recent passage of the #LeyGarrote, and more. 

To learn more about Silvia’s journey into international relations and democracy, the obstacles she has faced, and to hear her inspiring perspective, listen to this episode. 

In this episode of the Thank You Democracy Podcast, the Global Democracy Coalition sat down with Jorge Jraissati, President of our Coalition Partner Economic Inclusion Group, to discuss his professional journey, his decision to focus on the intersection of economic opportunity, financial inclusion, and democracy, the impact anti-money laundering laws and counterterrorism financing regulations have on people’s lives, why it is essential to include young voices in economic policymaking, and more. 

Jorge, while only 28, brings an experienced background as a researcher at IESE Business School, an economic and policy consultant, and is known for his work advocating in G7 countries for financial reforms to guarantee a “Right to Banking” for immigrants and human rights defenders. Jorge is also an influential voice in his home country, Venezuela, pushing for greater political and economic freedoms. 

To learn more about Jorge, his journey, and to hear his incredibly unique perspective, listen to this episode. 

In this episode of the Thank You Democracy Podcast, we sat down with two members of Club De Madrid’s #WYDE Global Network of Young Decision Makers network, Jokate Mwegelo, the Secretary General of CCM’s Youth Wing in Tanzania, and Elena Motta, a member of congress in Guatemala. During this episode, they discuss their decisions to run for political positions, how political violence impacts the participation of women in politics, institutional and societal steps needed to protect women in politics, their advice, and more. 

Jokate Mwegelo previously served as the District Commissioner for Kisarawe, where she led initiatives to enhance education and infrastructure, is the founder of Kidoti Company and was recognized on Forbes Africa’s “30 Under 30” list for her contributions to youth and women’s empowerment.

Elena Motta is known for her work in legislative reforms and social initiatives. Prior to her role in Congress, she was an advocate for community development and played a key part in promoting educational and economic programs to support marginalized communities.

Learn more about their incredible perspectives and inspiring journey’s in this episode. 

In this upcoming episode of the Thank You Democracy Podcast, the Global Democracy Coalition sat down with Gina Romero, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association, to discuss why the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association are fundamental to a thriving democracy, some global  trends that are particularly alarming, how young people are shaping the current and future landscape of  these rights, current gaps in educational efforts, and more. 

Gina brings vast experience and insight as the co-founder and former Executive Director of the Latin American and Caribbean Network for Democracy, one of our coalition partners, and the Leading/Senior Researcher for the Youth Violence Assessment in Colombia for Democracy International. For more on Gina’s unique perspective and inspiring journey, listen in to this episode! 

In this episode of the Thank You Democracy Podcast, the Global Democracy Coalition sat down with Dr. Kevin Casas Zamora, Secretary General of International IDEA, to discuss his path in public service, the advice he would give to his younger self, effective ways to increase youth engagement in today’s political processes, and his personal story as to why he has dedicated most of his life to promoting and protecting democracy. 

Kevin brings vast experience and insight as the former Vice President of Costa Rica, a distinguished political scientist, and a globally recognized advocate for democratic governance. For more on Kevin’s unique perspective and personal stories, listen in to this episode! 

In this episode of the Thank You Democracy Podcast, the European Democracy Youth Network sat down with Jakub Rychlý, Veronika Šustrová, and Jakub Šuster to discuss the realities of living under socialism and how it shaped people’s understanding of freedom, the transition from socialism to democracy, how democracy evolves with new generations, how youth is included in democratic processes and more.

These three speakers brings vast experience and insight.  Jakub Rychlý is the founder and COO of Nekrachni, an organization dedicated to helping young people achieve financial maturity, as well as an ambassador for EDYN Czechia. He currently acts as the Spokesperson for the Republic Youth Forum, which operates under the Czech Council of Children and Youth. Veronika Šustrová is an internationally certified coach (ACC) and business mentor with over 25 years of experience in fields such as finance, banking, healthcare, and telecommunications. Jakub Šuster is the co-founder and CEO of Elv.ai, a Slovak startup using AI to fight online misinformation and hate speech. For more on their thoughts and experienced insights, listen in to this episode!

In this episode of the Thank You Democracy Podcast, the Global Democracy Coalition sat down with Colombe Cahen-Salvador, distinguished political activist,  co-founder of the Atlas Movement, and a candidate for Secretary-General of the United Nations, to discuss her candidacy for UN Secretary General, challenges from rising authoritarianism, the importance of youth engagement in strengthening democratic processes, Atlas’s successes in furthering democratic development, and more. 

Colombe brings vast experience and insight as the co-founder of the first pan-European political party, Volt Europa, which elected representatives at the 2019 European Elections and local elections on a vision of a more united and progressive EU, and as a trustee of the United Nations Association – UK, working to improve knowledge of transnational organisations and reform. For more on Colombe’s thoughts, listen in to this episode! 

In this episode of the Thank You Democracy Podcast, the Asia Centre sat down with Prim Maneechot, Thai advocate for human rights and civil society, to discuss the enduring impact of Thailand’s youth movements in democratic initiatives such an the push for free and fair elections, education system reform, a more democratic constitution and challenging traditional structures like monarchy, all crucial issues in today’s global democracy.

Prim brings vast experience and insight as a community organizer for Article Group, a volunteer project coordinator for the project “Freedom of Expression”, a freelance content creator, law tutor and passionate human rights defender. For more on Prim’s thoughts, listen in to this episode! 

In this episode of the Thank You Democracy Podcast, Club de Madrid sat down with Felipe Paullier, Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs from the UN Youth Office, to discuss his appointment to the UN, Felipe’s appointment to the UN, the transformative role of young leaders in today’s political arena and inspiring insights on how the youth can and are reshaping democracy, all extremely timely topics in this year of elections.

Felipe brings vast experience and insight as Director General of the National Youth Institute of Uruguay where de developed the Global Impact Leadership Program in 2017 and Deputy Mayor in Montevideo. For more on Felipe’s thoughts, listen in to this episode!