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Young Leader Perspective: Alpha Abdoulaye Diallo

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Young persons can be powerful change agents in their communities. Disseminating information on the electoral cycle, volunteering in voter registration drives, observing elections to ensure rights are respected, and forming watchdog organizations are some of the many ways youths around the world are making a difference.

Below is a Q&A with Alpha Abdoulaye Diallo from the Republic of Guinea.

Age: 35

Profession: Medical Doctor

My work during the last election:

As a youth leader, I have been engaged since 2006 in Guinea's social movement and the National Council of Civil Society Organizations, which was established in 2002 - as a result of IFES’ nationwide dialogue on civil society. Our network has played a major role in the country’s transition from military to civilian rule.

I was elected president of the Guinean Africa Youth Network in 2007, an organization that fosters citizenship and a transparent, accountable government. In partnership with IFES, we organized trainings and voter education sessions throughout the country for the 2010 presidential elections.

What motivates you?

What motivates me is the firm belief that youth in Guinea played a historic role in the 2010 transition by leading protests and marches and advocating for change. Youth are now looking to play a larger role in the decision making process. With the experience that we have gained these last years with IFES, Réseau Africain des associations de Jeunesse-Guinee - a local coalition of youth organizations - has been able to get funding from other donors like the Open Society Initiative for West Africa and the United Nations Development Programme, and has become a reference for youth groups nationwide.