Young people are, and have been in our history, often at the forefront of movements advocating for democratic change. While many studies show that young people today are disillusioned by institutions that have failed to deliver democratic dividends, some young leaders are taking responsibilities for responsive governance in their hands by crossing over from civic…
“I thought it would be more honest if I openly joined that political party rather than try and stay neutral in a situation where it is impossible.” Mikayel Zolyan discusses how he came to join politics after the political transition in Armenia. He highlights skills he developed in civil society that strengthen his abilities in…
When the Tunisian revolution succeeded in toppling the regime of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali on January 14, 2011, and the democratic transition train started, we had to develop three main establishments without which any democracy would not succeed: democratic parties, free media, and an active civil society, and this challenge was not of…
Commonly, when members of civil society move into the government, they are considered outsiders, especially those who are appointed and not democratically elected. In a way, that is true. When you are inside a government, which you won with a strong electoral mandate, there was no alternative but to respect the presidential authority and, subsequently,…