From August 3 to 5, 2026, Accra hosted the first session of the Pan-African Youth Parliament for Democracy.
For several days, participants talked about democracy and how young people can become more involved in the life of their countries.
But what exactly is democracy? It is a way of organising a country in which citizens can take part in decisions, including by choosing their representatives in elections.
In every country, some people are elected to represent citizens and take part in important decisions. They meet in a place called a parliament, where they discuss laws and other important issues affecting the country.
But young people are still very rare in these institutions. In 2026, fewer than 3 out of every 100 representatives around the world were aged 30 or under. In more than one parliament out of three, there was not a single person aged 30 or under elected to represent citizens.
The Pan-African Youth Parliament therefore aims to give younger generations the opportunity to better understand how their countries work and take part in discussions about their future.
Why does this matter? Because decisions made today will affect their lives tomorrow — from schools and jobs to the environment, cities and new technologies.
The meeting sends an important message: even when you are young, you can have ideas, ask questions and help build the society you will live in tomorrow.
