Elections in Djibouti in 2018 brought an infusion of young MPs into the National Assembly with 32 per cent of the new house under 45, above the global average of 28 per cent.
To help these young parliamentarians, as well as encourage more young people to enter politics, the IPU organized a two-day workshop in partnership with the National Assembly on 15-16 January.
The workshop was designed to develop the leadership and communications skills of the young MPs in Djibouti as well as helping them integrate youth perspectives in their parliamentary work. Parliamentarians were able to identify and prioritize issues affecting youth in their constituencies and the tools and strategies to mobilize political support to influence change.
The workshop also set out next steps to empower youth including more training for young MPs and creating a network for young MPs to work together across party lines on issues important to youth.
The meeting was opened by Mr. Mohamed Ali Houmed, Speaker of the National Assembly, and a special session was also held with IPU President, Gabriela Cuevas.
Djibouti became a member of the IPU in 1981. Since 2017, the IPU has been working closely with the Parliament, in partnership with the European Commission, to develop its capacity as well as its legislative, representative and oversight functions
