LocationsEmpowering young people to participate in democratic decision-making
August 8, 2026
Practice Parliament for Youth 2026
The sixth Practice Parliament for Youth strengthened the knowledge, skills and confidence of 30 young Maldivians to engage more meaningfully in democratic and policymaking processes.
Malé, 8 August 2026 — Thirty young people from across the Maldives successfully completed the 2026 Practice Parliament for Youth, an initiative designed to strengthen young people’s capacity, confidence and understanding of democratic processes.
The programme was implemented through the continued partnership between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Maldives and the Secretariat of the People’s Majlis, with HerGov Consultancy serving as the technical partner.
Practice Parliament for Youth supports young people between the ages of 18 and 30 who are interested in actively engaging in the political arena. Through knowledge-sharing and experiential learning, participants developed a deeper understanding of Parliament, parliamentary procedures, policymaking processes and key national issues.
The programme enabled participants to better understand the complexities of policy issues and navigate diverse political perspectives to build consensus—an essential element of democratic governance. It also introduced young people to different pathways for civic and political engagement, including elected leadership, civil society, political parties and the media.
The learning experience culminated in a mock parliament session, where participants applied their understanding of parliamentary procedures in a practical setting.
Participants engage in activities during a Practice Parliament for Youth session
Exploring environmental rights and justice
The 2026 edition of the programme focused on the impact of development on the environment, with particular emphasis on environmental rights and environmental justice in the Maldives.
Participants explored how environmental policies and legislation can respond to the country’s development challenges, while strengthening their understanding of rights-based approaches to environmental governance.
They also received first-hand insights from officials and Members of Parliament on the work of the People’s Majlis and the role of civic actors in shaping public policy.
Creating space for meaningful youth participation
Although the importance of youth engagement in democratic processes is increasingly recognized, many young people continue to face barriers to meaningful participation.
These include limited access to resources, insufficient representation in leadership roles and socio-economic challenges. Young people may also feel that their voices are not heard in the spaces where decisions affecting their lives are made.
Addressing these challenges requires inclusive platforms that actively involve young people in governance at every level. It also requires opportunities for young people to contribute to policy formulation and implementation, supported by education, training and access to civic and political spaces.
UNDP’s work aims to help create an enabling environment in which young people can participate and increase their representation at the decision-making level. This includes strengthening the capacity of youth leaders, expanding civic education and improving access to engagement through political parties, civil society organizations, the media and initiatives such as Practice Parliament for Youth.
Participants raise their hands to contribute during an interactive session
Voices from the programme
Reflecting on the experience, a participant shared:
“This programme showed me that even when we have different opinions, it is still possible to listen, understand each other and work towards a common goal. It made me more confident in expressing my views and engaging in discussions that matter.”
UNDP Resident Representative in the Maldives, Adnan Cheema, highlighted the importance of creating such platforms for young people:
“Young people are not just future leaders—they are present-day changemakers. Initiatives like Practice Parliament for Youth are essential in ensuring that they are equipped, empowered and meaningfully engaged in shaping the decisions that affect their lives.”
Participants and programme partners gather for a group photo at the closing ceremony
Six programmes and 183 young people
The 2026 edition marked the sixth Practice Parliament for Youth jointly conducted by UNDP Maldives and the Secretariat of the People’s Majlis since 2021.
With the completion of this year’s programme, a total of 183 young people have participated in the initiative to date. Participants have included young people engaged in education, further training, formal employment and informal employment.
The programme has continued to evolve based on feedback from participants and facilitators. The Speaker of Parliament, Members of Parliament, and representatives from independent institutions and government bodies have contributed to previous editions by facilitating sessions and engaging directly with participants.
HerGov Consultancy has also provided technical expertise, particularly in the area of law review, which forms an important part of the programme’s curriculum.
The programme contributes to broader efforts to advance equality, reduce barriers to participation and create more inclusive policymaking processes, supporting progress towards SDG 5: Gender Equality and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.
The closing ceremony, held at the People’s Majlis on 8 August 2026, celebrated the achievements of this year’s participants and reaffirmed the importance of continued collaboration to strengthen young people’s leadership and participation in public life.
Building a political environment that values diversity, welcomes new perspectives and enables young people to reach their full potential is essential to creating more participatory, representative and inclusive decision-making in the Maldives.