ECOWAS pushes for greater youth participation in West African democracy

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting the meaningful inclusion of young people in democratic governance and political decision-making across the region.

The ECOWAS Commission, through its Directorate of Political Affairs, is co-organising the first West African Youth Conference on Democracy with LEGIST360, a youth organisation focused on rights advocacy, development and public awareness.

The three-day conference is being held from September 8 to 10, in Dakar, Senegal, on the theme: “From activism to taking power: reassessing the political inclusion of young people in West Africa and advancing a regional agenda for democratic governance.”

The conference is aimed at providing a high-level regional platform for stakeholders to assess progress made in youth political participation and examine the barriers that continue to limit their involvement in democratic governance.

It will also focus on promoting evidence-based political and institutional reforms to strengthen youth participation in political decision-making within ECOWAS member states.

According to ECOWAS, the initiative forms part of efforts to ensure that young people move beyond activism to play a more meaningful role in shaping political and democratic processes across West Africa.

The conference is expected to provide an avenue for discussions on the challenges facing young people in accessing political leadership and opportunities for advancing a regional agenda on inclusive democratic governance.