YOUTH DAY FOR DEMOCRACY

Join the World Youth Movement for Democracy in celebrating World Youth Day for Democracy.

This day is an opportunity to join other activists around the world by voicing your support for democratic principles. This is the time to unite, share ideas, not just for one’s own community but for the global youth community striving for a better standard of human rights and democracy. Join us and recognize this day by holding an activity of your own!

You can follow this blog for updates on the Day http://day18oct.wordpress.com

Here are a number of activities members have already planned *:
Discussions/Forums:
- Host a multi-national discussion via Skype on particular issues regarding youth throughout the region and invite local youth to join
- Town-hall gathering to discuss the significance of the day and to educate others on local policies

Demonstrations/Rallies:
- Organize demonstrations for youth political prisoners at local embassies- ex. Any of the countries embassies listed on our flier who currently have youth in prison http://www.wymdonline.org/WYDD%20Flier%2010.pdf
- Register youth to vote and encourage them to make their vote count

Online:
- Post statements on Web sites and blogs recognizing this day. Similarly, reach out to key institutions, leaders, and organizations and ask them to post their own statements on their Web sites recognizing World Youth Day for Democracy.
- Create a Facebook page or event for the Day in local languages
- Use the blog http://day18oct.wordpress.com/ as a platform for discussion and posting your event on the map.

Media:
- Use local radio to make announcements regarding events in your area or even to host an interview or discussion about the Day
- Use the media to spread our message, and ask local groups and political figures to make statements of support and compile these into a media release.

Arts:
- Gather youth to watch a movie depicting democratic values and follow up with a discussion, create games and competitions based on democracy.
- Gather youth to view a series of videos from the Democracy Video Challenge: (http://www.videochallenge.america.gov/video.html) as well as the Youth Video compiled by the Youth Initiative members of the World Movement for Democracy: http://www.wmd.org/assemblies/sixth-assembly/video#youth )
- Hold a concert focused on the central themes of World Youth Day for Democracy

Utilize local organizations:
- Contact colleges and universities and work with campus organizations to develop and promote events
- Take advantage of already planned events and festivals, and integrate discussions on World Youth Day for Democracy
- Contact youth organizations to host discussions on this day, and ask youth to write messages of what democracy means to them and photograph these messages.

Solidarity:
- Arrange visits with people whose rights have been violated as a show of solidarity
- Meet with people who have been in prison for long periods awaiting trial to show that they have not been forgotten and to show attention to poor judicial system for not recognizing rights
- Conduct a signature campaign to voice solidarity in support of youth political prisoners or activists (see attached flier)

Other Ideas:
- Neighborhood clean-ups wearing Youth Movement t-shirts and with a banner
- Letter writing campaign: describe cases of highlighted youth and stress the importance of an action campaign
- Meet with local government leaders to address issues facing youth and the community in general and how together they can work to improve them

*During these activities, always be sure to check on the risks involved and to act cautiously, especially if you are working to support a local political prisoner or activist at risk.