14/04/2026
Advancing Youth Voices in Governance
Our executive leaders and selected members were privileged to attend the recent Youth Dialogue themed _Mixed Member Proportional Representation: Is It a Solution to Youth Power?
The dialogue, proudly hosted by BBC Media Action, Ishiwi in partnership with Restless Development Zambia, created a powerful platform for young people to interrogate electoral systems and their impact on youth representation, inclusion, and decision-making.
As an association committed to sustainable development,we recognize that meaningful youth participation is not just about being present, but about having real influence in shaping policies that affect our future. The Mixed Member Proportional Representation system sparked robust conversations on whether structural electoral reforms can open more doors for young leaders, especially at grassroots level.
Key takeaways for us included:
- Representation Matters: Electoral systems directly shape how many young people can access leadership spaces.
- Beyond Tokenism:Youth need structural pathways to power, not just symbolic seats at the table.
We left the dialogue energized and more committed to advocating for inclusive governance systems that translate youth potential into youth power. We extend our gratitude to BBC Media Action, Ishiwi and Development Zambia for creating this timely space for honest, youth-led conversation.