As part of the celebration of International Youth Day, the International Observatory for Democracy and Governance (OIDG) sent a message of solidarity and encouragement to all young people around the world in general and to Haitian youth in particular.

Excerpts from the OIDG message :

"On this special day dedicated to youth, we invite you to actively engage and become central actors in the lives of your respective communities.

Today's young people, who carry immense potential and great energy, often find themselves faced with a crucial choice: to conform to existing structures or to become drivers of change.

[...] OIDG encourages youth to get involved in citizen monitoring through independent media, civil organizations or social networks to promote greater transparency and increased accountability of public actors [...]

It is equally essential that young people actively engage in politics, by running for office and holding their leaders accountable. Their participation in the decision-making process is fundamental to building societies where young people are not only beneficiaries, observers but also essential actors of change.

[...] This day recalls the importance of giving young people the means to express themselves, to train, and to actively participate in decisions that determine the future.

We therefore call on all young people to seize the opportunities presented to them, to fully engage, and to never underestimate their power to positively influence the world. Together we can build more just, more equitable and more democratic societies."

IH/ iciHaiti