On December 9-10, 2021, President Biden will host the first of two highly anticipated Summits for Democracy to set forth an affirmative agenda for democratic renewal and tackle the most significant threats faced by democracies through collective action. The Summit for Democracy (Summit), in its first event, is expected to bring together leaders from government, civil society, and the private sector to build a shared foundation for global democratic renewal. To these crucial sectors, the Community of Democracies (CoD) recommends the specific engagement of youth, on the margins of the Summit.
Aiming to provide space for the next generation of leaders to contribute to the Summit’s discussions and conclusions, the Permanent Secretariat of the Community of Democracies, together with its active partner CoD YouthLeads, and European Democracy Youth Network, will convene a Youth Assembly for the Summit for Democracy (Assembly) on the margins of the Summit.
The virtual Youth Assembly for the Summit for Democracy will bring together 18- to 35- years old representatives for an online conversation with high-level global representatives, including the Biden Administration and civil society. The Assembly will provide democracy leaders an opportunity to deliver their messages to youth and pose questions to young people about their views regarding democracy. A series of interactive discussions will focus on the future of values-based multilateralism and present an opportunity for youth to voice their broader set of democracy priorities and to welcome and inform the initial session of the U.S.-led Summit.
AGENDA
YOUTH ASSEMBLY OPENING
Samuel Amofa Asante, CoD YouthLead from Ghana
Daria Onyshko, CoD YouthLeads Coordinator/EDYN Ambassador
WELCOME
Thomas E. Garrett, Community of Democracies Secretary General
YOUTH CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE THREE FOCUS AREAS OF THE SUMMIT FOR DEMOCRACY
Joey Siu, Hong Kong – Advancing respect for human rights
Lu Argueta, YouthLead El Salvador – Addressing and fighting corruption
Vika Andrukovich, EDYN Belarus – Defending against authoritarianism
WHAT OTHER DEMOCRACY PRIORITIES DO YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE?
Luciana Caccianini, YouthLead Argentina
Nidal Benali, YouthLead Morocco
Lynrose Genon, YouthLead Philippines
Natalia Slepuhin, EDYN Moldova
EUROPEAN DEMOCRACY YOUTH NETWORK REGIONAL MESSAGE
Malik Sakic, EDYN President
Juela Hamati, fmr. EDYN President
A CONVERSATION WITH MS. JUTTA URPILAINEN, COMMISSIONER FOR INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS, EUROPEAN COMMISSION
QUESTIONS FROM DEMOCRACY LEADERS TO YOUTH
Responses by youth activists
Jagdish Ayer, YouthLead Nepal
Laura Danilas, YouthLead Estonia/EDYN
Esma Gumberidze, EDYN Georgia
Walter Corzo, YouthLead Guatemala