About the Event
A panel of founders of youth-based organizations in Africa, MENA, Eastern Europe and Latin America discussed the youth movement as a whole and their own experiences in working with the young for democratic strengthening.
A luncheon panel presentation featuring:
- Kingsley N. T. Bangwell, Youngstars Foundation, Nigeria
- Nada Alwadi, Bahrain Press Association, Bahrain]
- Juan Pio Hernandez, Venezuela Perspectives, Venezuela
- Darko Brkan, Zašto ne (Why Not), Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Moderated by: Dr. Sophia Moestrup, National Democratic Institute
- Welcome Remarks by: Oge Onubogu, National Endowment for Democracy
About the Speakers
Kingsley N. T. Bangwell is the founder of Youngstars Foundation, a training and advocacy organization that strengthens democratic ideals among youth in Nigeria and parts of West Africa. Youngstars conducts civic engagement programs and has produced short videos that promote youth civic activism. Watch its most recent video: “I voted now wetin?”
Nada Alwadi is a journalist and co-founder of the Bahrain Press Association, which defends the right to freedom of expression for Bahraini journalists. Since 2003, Ms. Alwadi has covered politics, human rights issues, and the recent pro-democracy uprisings in Bahrain and the Middle East.
Juan Pio Hernandez is a founding member of the student organization “Venezuela Perspectives,” which raises public awareness about the present state of Venezuela. He is involved in multiple student movements and is the D.C. coordinator of “Un Mundo Sin Mordaza.”
Darko Brkan is the founding president of Zašto ne (Why Not), a Sarajevo-based nongovernmental organization that promotes civic activism, government accountability, and the use of digital media in deepening democracy and youth activism in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Darko is currently a visiting Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellow at the NED.
