Network for Youth influence

Human rights and democracy are facing major challenges all over the world. At the same time, local governments are awakening to the important role they play in advancing human rights in their communities.

The ICLD Human Rights Youth Network is part of the Municipal partnership programme. The Network brings together and supports partnerships and municipalities committed to strengthening their systematic work on human rights at the local level. The guiding framework is the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

In the Network, Swedish municipalities have been matched with a partner municipality from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe or Zambia. Together, the partners design and carry out projects addressing issues of human rights and, more specifically young people’s influence in democratic decision-making processes.

Academia can play an important role in providing expertise and conducting research on local change processes. Relevant universities will be approached to join the network and in some cases individual partnerships.

A Training Programme for local government staff and politicians, tailored to the topic of the Network is also provided by the ICLD.