NED Programs in Hong Kong : NDI Civic Update: Youth Programming. May 2012

Many people in Hong Kong are at a loss to explain why our youth have suddenly become so discontent with life and why so many young activists have suddenly emerged to express their discontent, often in violent ways.

The answer to this is simple, if somewhat uncomfortable – Hong Kong has been the target of a comprehensive program, funded by the US Government, with funds allocated by the US Congress to the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), which are being used by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) to implement that program.

Youth Programming

According to the NDI’s own publications, youth are a key component of NDI programs and programs targeting young people have been the sole subject of comment in three NDI Civic Updates/NDI Reports:

· 2004. Civic Update entitled: Young People, not the problem, part of the solution,

· 2007. NDI Report on Youth, Women, Technology.

· 2012. Civic Update on Youth Programming.

Extracts from 2012 NDI Civic Update: Youth Programming

Introduction

This issue focuses on involving young people in politics. Recognizing that they can play a critical role in building strong and vibrant democratic societies, NDI has long worked with youth in all forms of programming to empower them as mainstream political activists.

Channeling this growing population’s talents and energies as a force for positive change represents a major democratic development opportunity.

Young people can become a force that demands and defends democracy when they are given an

opportunity to organize themselves, voice their opinions and engage in political decision making.

NDI views the participation of young people (age 18-35) as fundamental to successful democratic transitions.

Young people are part of the solution and have a critical role to play in advancing democracy.

It is essential to help this large group develop and exercise democratic values, engage in constructive activism, promote greater government responsiveness, and become political leaders with a unique voice and goals.

NDI is currently working with young people in more than 20 countries and has carried out more than 120 such programs worldwide.

Why NDI works with Youth

There are a number of reasons that NDI works with young people:

· Major challenges for youth participation are resistance to change by entrenched elite and older generations and the cultural expectations that youth do not hold power in society.

· There can be a perception among some stakeholders that youth are not qualified or do not have the necessary skills, knowledge or expertise to participate.

· Some entrenched leaders and authority figures may also fear the new ideas and interests that youth bring to their organizations, or to the governance system.

· In many countries where NDI works, older, entrenched elites are resistant to democratic opening and reform.

· In these settings, agents of change, such as youth, can be empowered and equipped with the tools to push for the change they would like to see.

· Compared to their older counterparts, young people are frequently more enthusiastic and are more willing to take initiative and risk.

· NDI’s focus group research has demonstrated that young, first-time voters are more open to voting for new parties, more willing to change political allegiances, more idealistic in their goals, and less loyal to established traditions.

Diversity Among Youth

· NDI recognizes that there is sometimes the need and opportunity to partner with more marginalized young people that are not yet organized or aware of the possibility of political participation.

Empowering Emerging Leaders

In a case study on Armenia, NDI explains its approach to empowering emerging leaders as:

· In many of the countries where NDI works, entrenched elite, powerful interests, and polarized political systems make change and reform a major challenge.

· In these settings, youth, among others, want to play the roles of reformer and change agents.

· In these cases, NDI tends to work with youth that are already active within political parties or organizations and have shown themselves to be committed to positive change.

· NDI has focused on activities that empower ‘agents of change,’ including youth, to affect the policy agenda and become more involved in the political process.

Civic Update cover