Today, the United States is proud to support the launch of the Community of Democracies (CoD) Youth Democracy Network (YDN). Announced in 2023 and due to the generous bipartisan support of the U.S. Congress, the YDN is dedicated to building a global community of young leaders committed to advancing democracy, human rights, and fundamental freedoms, the YDN will equip youth from across the globe with the tools and opportunities needed to engage directly with decision-makers and provide a dynamic space for exchanging ideas and working on collaborative projects.
Hosted in Panama by the U.S. Ambassador to Panama Mari Carmen Aponte, today's launch event welcomed Government of Panama officials, YDN members from across Latin America and the Caribbean, and representatives from CoD governments to discuss regional challenges and opportunities and the role of young leaders in addressing them. The YDN is a global network that will foster cross-regional collaboration between the next generation of democratic leaders.
Integrating youth perspectives into decision-making is essential for building resilient, prosperous, and secure democratic systems. With over half the world's population under the age of 30, supporting young leaders who champion democratic principles is crucial for driving positive change worldwide.
