Multimedia

During political transitions, activists sometimes have an opportunity to “cross over” into government so they can advance democratic reform from within as elected or appointed officials.

After many years of leading initiatives in civil society and being part of the Red Latinoamericana de Jóvenes por la Democracia (JuventudLAC), Byron Rodríguez decided to crossover into government to advance democratic reforms. At 32 years old, Byron was elected to represent Quetzaltenango at the Guatemalan Congress. In this #CrossoverInitiative video, Byron reflects on how […]

Despite coming from diverse backgrounds Danieal Chacón Arias from Ecuador, and Mensur Seferovic from Boznia-Herzegovina share a passion for working in local government to build more inclusive communities. In this #CrossoverInitiative conversation, Daniela and Mensur share how their desire to create change in their communities led them to transition from civil society into local government […]

Mumbi Namwawa is a Program Officer at the People’s Action for Accountability and Good Governance in Zambia. She is also a member of Youth4Parliament and Girls Gone Political (GGP), two social movements that seek to increase youth participation and representation in politics and the civic space. After being involved with Youth4Parliament, Mumbi decided to join […]

Cynthia Mbamalu is the Director of Programs at YIAGA Africa and Co-founder of #NotTooYoungToRun. For many years, Cynthia has worked to increase the participation of youth and women in political spaces in Nigeria and other African countries. As more civil society leaders are crossing into government, Cynthia believes that civil society organizations should continue to […]

Vedrana Vujovic is a dedicated public servant from Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, currently serving in the Council Assembly in Sarajevo and the House of People Parliament, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Her political motivation stems from growing up in a war-torn society and her ambition to facilitate positive change and a better environment in her […]

After political transitions, activists sometimes have an opportunity to “cross over” into government so they can advance democratic reform from within as elected or appointed officials. Watch how past experiences can support government work once in a new role.

During political transitions, activists sometimes have an opportunity to “cross over” into government so they can advance democratic reform from within as elected or appointed officials. Developing and maintaining relationships is important for civil society activists before and after crossing over into government.

On November 20, 2021, the World Movement for Democracy and the Manila-based Young Public Servants co-hosted a discussion entitled “TAWID/TUWID: Initiating Reforms from Within” to share successful and challenging experiences of civil society activists in the Philippines who have crossed over to government in order to advance reforms. The event brought together current and former […]