Youth Democracy Network Convenes Its Second Regional Meeting to Support the Next Generation of Democratic Leaders

July 31- August 1, 2025 – Tokyo, Japan

Overview of the meeting

The Youth Democracy Network (YDN) will host a two-day regional meeting in Tokyo, Japan, bringing together YDN members from across the Asia-Pacific region. Participants will include democracy activists, emerging political leaders, journalists, and professionals from the technology and business sectors, representing over 18 countries.

Hosted in Japan, a Member State of the Community of Democracies (CoD), the meeting will feature a keynote address by H.E. Tsutsumi Naohiro, Ambassador for Human Rights and International Peace and Stability, speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. His remarks will focus on Democratic Resilience in Asia: Importance, Challenges, and Cooperation.

Dr. Mantas Adomėnas, Secretary General of the Community of Democracies, will travel to Tokyo to engage with YDN members on behalf of the CoD. Daryna Onyshko, YDN Manager, will welcome the participants as they come together in person for the first time. The program will include interactive leadership training on strategic communication, stakeholder mapping, and fundraising, led by Jaco Roets, Global Training and Incubation Manager at Accountability Lab.

The event will also feature the announcement of a new certificate program: Democratic Dialogues & Civic Skill-Building, jointly offered by Cornell University and the Youth Democracy Network, a unique learning experience for emerging changemakers.

On behalf of Poland, the current Presidency of the Community of Democracies, H.E. Paweł Milewski, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Japan, will deliver closing remarks. The meeting will conclude with a special ceremony.

Building on YDN’s successful launch in Panama City in December 2024, the Tokyo meeting is part of a growing global initiative to connect young democratic leaders in a non-partisan platform committed to democratic values, human rights, and civic engagement. YDN is supported by the U.S. Department of State to foster a new generation of leaders.