On November 22, 2016, the #NotTooYoungToRun Campaign launched at the first United Nations Forum on Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law. The global advocacy campaign “aims to elevate the promotion of young people’s right to run for public office.” It is designed to engage global youth through online activities, as well as function as a platform for youth political participation. The UN Secretary General Envoy on Youth, Ahmad Alhendawi, was inspired when he learned about a national #NotTooYoungToRun Campaign in Nigeria, and decided to support the development of a global version.

Earlier in 2016, the Youth Initiative for Advocacy Growth & Advancement (YIAGA) – a civic democracy organization in Nigeria – organized efforts to endorse the initial #NotTooYoungToRun Bill in their country, which will reduce the age qualifications of candidates running for public offices. The bill has passed its first reading in the Nigerian Senate, and gained the public support of Nigerians on Twitter. Youth make up 60% of Nigeria’s 160 million population, yet they are largely unrepresented in the country’s government. This phenomenon isn’t exclusive to Nigeria. More than half of the world’s population is under 30, yet they represent only 2 percent of legislators. Learn more about the importance of youth political engagement from Samson Itodo, the Executive Director of YIAGA.