Empowering young people to participate in democratic decision-making

August 11, 2026

The sixth Practice Parliament for Youth equipped 30 young Maldivians with the knowledge, skills and confidence 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 conducted 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 its technical partner.

Practice Parliament for Youth supports young people between the ages of 18 and 30 who are interested in participating actively in the political arena. Through knowledge-sharing and experiential learning, participants gain a deeper understanding of Parliament, parliamentary procedures, policymaking and key national issues.

The programme helps participants recognize the complexities of policy issues and navigate different political perspectives to build consensus-an essential element of any democracy. It also introduces young people to pathways through which they can contribute to policymaking, including elected leadership, civil society, political parties and the media.

The learning experience culminated in a mock parliament session, allowing participants to apply their knowledge of parliamentary procedures in practice.

Exploring environmental rights and justice

The 2026 programme focused on the impact of development efforts on the environment, including environmental rights and environmental justice in the Maldives.

Participants gained knowledge of environmental rights and justice-related issues while examining how policies and legislation can respond to the country's development and environmental challenges.

They also received first-hand insights from officials and Members of Parliament on the work of the People's Majlis and explored the role civic actors can play 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.

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, 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.