Student dialogue: Coastal college, A Salam Campus

Reimagining youth participation as an informed electorate

The Democracy Development Program in partnership with Coastal College SRC hosted a Students Dialogue with the students at Coastal college at the As-Salaam campus. This dialogue was guided by the above-mentioned theme; looking at youth participation from a futuristic approach, reimagining what the future will look like if young people were more informed on democratic processes beyond political party influences and social ills limitations and ways in which they can actively participate in already existing structures in their communities.

The dialogue’s project objective was to engage young people on how they can meaningfully participate in their community structures for the purpose of developing democracy in South Africa and beyond. The indicator for this was to invite students to engage on this topic and clarify what is hindering their participation and how can organizations like DDP and young people themselves make their participation maximized. It is also to ensure that students understand how democracy works and to ensure that young people understand the role that they need to play for democracy to work for everybody.