Guyana’s Youth Council organizes Voters Education Initiative

by Imran Bacchus

As Guyana prepared for its 2025 General and Regional Elections, the Guyana National Youth Council launched a National Voters Initiative aimed at ensuring young people were informed and engaged in the electoral process. The non-partisan, fully youth-led Council convened representatives from all major political parties to discuss how their manifestos address issues affecting young voters, creating a rare, shared space for dialogue ahead of the September polls.

The event, which was held on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at the Morray’s House on Camp and Quamina Street, saw a score of youths, political party representatives, and members of the diplomatic corps, such as the US Embassy in Georgetown, the Mexican Embassy, etc. The initiative underscores the vital role that young people play in national decision-making processes, and it was seen as a mechanism to encourage youth to participate in the once-every-five-year opportunity in making their voices heard.

At the onset of the session, attendees were greeted by hosts and members of the GNYC, who were the moderators. The session commenced with various stakeholders presenting on various thematic areas that highlight the pivotal role of young people in critical areas. Some of the speakers included Stephon Gabriel, an ardent and skilled youth specialist; the Public Relations Officers of the Guyana Elections Commission; the representative of Youth Allies (a USAID programme), Danielle Anthony, and the Organisation of Persons with Disabilities. The first segment of the programme was done as an educational session to sensitise youths of their rights, responsibilities and significance.

The second part of the programme focused on presentations by each of the political parties that were present. These parties included key members of the A Partnership for National  Unity (APNU), Alliance for Change (AFC), We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) and Forward Guyana. Absent were the leading People Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) and the Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity (ALP). These parties provided reasonable justifications for their absence. The event, which started from 10 a.m., lasted until approximately 3 p.m., marks a notable milestone for the Council since, in previous years, particularly leading up to the 2015 Elections, the event was done at the community levels in a campaign form to rally young people to cast their votes. This was due to the considerable number of eligible youths who did not vote despite this being their democratic and civic right.

Equally important to note is that the 2025 version of the initiative was momentous since it brought together all key political parties for a shared goal. Such a coordination has not been done ever in the nation’s history as it relates to youth affairs. Moreover, the initiative, since the first time it was launched in 2015, faced controversial views and criticisms by the current government, which was in opposition in 2015, thereby insinuating that the Council was politically influenced and created, and questioned the legitimacy of the body. Despite this, over the years, no political party has come forward to say that it has a hold over the Council or played a part in its development. The vision of the Council was formulated at a time when there was no national body to represent the youth of Guyana. Given the scope of its mandate, the body remains non-affiliated with any political party, but will work with all stakeholders to ensure that youth voices are amplified, be it government, members of the opposition or non-governmental entities.

It should be underscored that the voters education initiative was highly relevant and necessary, taking into account the election climate in Guyana during periods where youth pleas can get lost among the rigorous campaigns and rallies where many promises are made and high hopes established. Each party in attendance saw the need for the council and acknowledged its pertinence to the youth population. This emphasizes and pinpoints the fact that the political parties in Guyana, regardless of who they are, value young people and would like to see that they have equitable representation.

The Council continues to make its mark and engage with youths through outreach and various discussion forums to advance the voices of young people.