Osama Iyad Abedalqader Naana

I work as the Director of the Young Palestinian Leaders Program in Palestine. This program qualifies young leaders in the local community and develops their skills to enhance their ability to integrate political and community work. I have also been working as a volunteer in many political institutions for more than ten years.

My desire to help members and colleagues from the Middle East and North Africa to interact more with the network prompted me to become a member of the Advisory Board. It also motivated me to help manage the network, in addition to benefiting from the expertise of the Democracy Generation network, which will help develop my knowledge of political business and project management and the application of these acquaintances in my organization.

 During my tenure, I hope to help expand the network, especially in the MENA region, and to work on implementing successful joint projects in the field of political participation with colleagues from the network.

Juan Manuel Pérez Cuéllar

I am Executive Director of Fundación Merced Coahuila where I oversee programs to develop social investments with the private sector. Prior to leading FMC, I was the Liaison of Consejo Cívico de Coahuila and Centro de Integración Ciudadana de Saltillo. I also led the implementation of programs on security, transparency, open governments, accountability, anti-corruption and justice.

I have been part of GenDem since 2017 and have had the opportunity to preside over the GMAB for 2 consecutive years, a space from where I have promoted the creation of policies and processes that guarantee the growth and sustainability of the network, as well as greater networking opportunities for the members.

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My motto: "Rather die than betray"

Anna Zachariadou

I am a defense and security affairs specialist, with a double MA Degree in International War Studies and specialising in crises & conflict, violent extremism, warfare development and international partnerships. Being passionate about change and creating impact, I have been politically engaged for more than ten years at an international, domestic and local level. I am currently serving as the Deputy Secretary for International Relations and the EU of the center-right Greek governing party New Democracy (Νέα Δημοκρατία). I have acquired professional experience at the European institutions, while I am currently employed as an EU Affairs Officer in Brussels.

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My eagerness to become a GMAB derived from the ideas that I developed for the network after having experienced its potential. I would love to see my initial idea about the creation of a Leadership Academy being implemented, I want to help GenDem become even more extrovert and extend its reach in more European countries. Generally, I hope to see us help GenDem grow, extend its reach, form partnerships and continue to represent every youth in an equal and diverse way. To create more opportunities for our members, bring them closer together and turn the network into a worldwide youth platform, where people enhance and develop their skillsets.

Yamikani James Chiphazi 

I am serving as Chairperson for National Youth Network of Malawi and Executive Director for a youth led Bright Minds of Today Organization (BMTO). I am happy to be part of 12 brilliant and well oriented democratically elected members of GMAB where I am learning and sharing experiences & knowledge on how young people can promote youth engagement and participation in all decision-making platforms. Use of digital media by young people within the Generation Democracy network to promote democracy and civic participation is my overall goal to be accomplished during my tenure as GMAB member.

I believe that social media has potential to mobilize young people’s voices and influence the decisions of authorities. Organizing mentorship trainings on relevance of social media in democratic space will be ideal to equip network members with expertise on how to effectively achieve digital advocacy.

Rachid Ait Eguerd

I am dedicated to promoting democratic values and fostering civic engagement. As the President of Youth Initiatives Forum in Morocco, I am contributing to the design and implementation of initiatives that aim to enhance democratic processes and encourage active participation in Moroccan civil society. I do this through organizing workshops, awareness campaigns and training sessions focused on principles of democracy, civic responsibilities and human rights.
 

My motivation to be a member of the GMAB is to meet and interact with youths from different countries and benefit from the network’s diverse perspectives and be part of rich discussions in addition to bringing more value to GenDem Network.

As a GMAB member, I am looking forward to accomplishing several key objectives such as encouraging diversity and inclusion by working closely with other members and aiming to create an environment that fosters an inclusive culture. I also seek to work collaboratively with the network’s members to shape participatory methods and vibrant democratic future for young people worldwide.

Mariam Kasrashvili​

I was born, and raised in Tbilisi, Georgia. Having a deep passion for the medical field, I pursued my interest and became a Medical Doctor. I’m currently a Swedish Institute scholar and a Master of Science in healthcare economics, policy, and management student at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden.

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From 2017 to 2023, I was the youngest woman member of the United National Movement political council, the largest oppositional and former governmental party in Georgia.

In 2021, I was elected as the first President of the Global Member Advisory Board of Generation Democracy which has been a life-changing opportunity for me.

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Being a part of the GMAB allows me to make a positive impact on the network and work towards issues that are significant on a global and regional level. I am committed to being transparent, accountable, and productive during my term at GMAB. I’m excited about contributing to the changes that Generation Democracy aims to make in youth participation and politics.

Željko Vukša-Fejzić

I am a Sarajevo native with a Catholic school and Law background, and a keen interest in politics and civic involvement. I served as the Vice President and Secretary General of the European Law Students Association (ELSA) in BiH, as well as a member of the Legal and Internal Affairs Commission for the Youth of the European People's Party. Furthermore, I am an alumnus of several prestigious international institutes such as the Robert Schuman Institute in Budapest, the National Democratic Institute, and the Advanced Leadership Institute of IRI. Currently, I am a Youth delegate in the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe and a member of the Youth commission of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of FBiH.

As a Global Advisory Board Member, I am motivated by the opportunity to make a positive impact in the world. Being part of this diverse and passionate group of individuals, I can share my expertise and ideas with like-minded people from all over the globe. Furthermore, being a part of the GMAB allows me to stay up to date with the latest developments and trends in the fields of democracy, human rights, and social justice. I am excited about the opportunity to serve on the GMAB, and I am committed to doing everything in my power to help advance the mission and vision of Generation Democracy.

Cheng-Hao (Howard) Shen

I am Cheng-Hao (Howard) Shen from the Republic of China (ROC; Taiwan). I received my BA from Sciences Po Paris and am currently Deputy Leader of the Kuomintang Youth League. I lead the League's external policy on inter-party platforms.

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I joined GMAB as an Asia Representative because I want to spread the spirit of democracy and demonstrate ROC's resilience in fighting against autocratization. I hope to introduce Taiwan to the world and vice versa via Generation Democracy's amazing network.

George Melashvili 

I am a Georgian public figure and scholar specializing in political science and East Asian studies, I am the founder and President of the Europe-Georgia Institute, a hybrid non-governmental organization based in Georgia. Since its inception in September 2016, the Europe-Georgia Institute has evolved into one of Georgia’s leading civil society organizations and has become a member of the European Liberal Forum. I'm also the founder the annual Black Sea Security conference, which focuses on international security policy related to the Black Sea region. I serve as an invited lecturer on international relations theory at the Free University of Tbilisi and East Asian studies at the University of Georgia and is the author of “Korea: Success story – lessons for Georgia”, the first book about Korea in Georgian. I'm also a fellow in the German Marshall Fund’s Policy Designers Network and in April 2021, I was named one of 10 SI Changemakers by the Swedish Institute among over 15,000 alumni. a member of the International Studies Association (ISA), an elected Ambassador of the European Democracy Youth Network (EDYN), and an elected member of the board of International Republican Institute’s Generation Democracy (GenDem) Network.

Julián David Basto Espitia

Professional in Politics and International Relations. I am a holder of a master's in government and public Policy. For four and a half years I served as National Youth Director of the Colombian Conservative Party. Now, I am Senior Advisor to the Secretary General of the Colombian Conservative Party.

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I am very happy to be part of the GMAB, as I am excited to exchange experiences and good practices with young people from around the world in order to inspire more young people to be changemakers and transform their communities. "Youth can bear the present, but what they cannot tolerate is that the future does not exist.

Suleiman Zainab Ajuma 

Suleiman is a medical doctor who hails from Kogi State, Nigeria. Zainab graduated from Uzhgorod National University Ukraine. Dr. Zainab is the current and serving Vice President of the Human Rights Watch and Youths Empowerment Foundation, as well as the head of medical rights International Human Rights Protection Services (IHRPS) in Nigeria, headquartered in Florida, United States. She is human rights activist, young politician and a strong advocator of youth political participation and good governance. She is a writer, poet and former model.

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I'm a member of Generation Democracy Network because it is a platform that enriches my role as an advocate for inclusive democracy in Africa. The network's global community of over 280 members empowers me with opportunities to mobilize youth, champion democratic reform, and overcome barriers to meaningful participation in politics. Together, we believe in equality, human rights, and active civic engagement, leveraging our collective knowledge and experiences to shape a more resilient, responsive, and inclusive democratic future for all. The GMAB allows me to connect, learn, and contribute to a shared vision of positive change, encouraging a world where young people lead civic and political initiatives worldwide.

Solayman Salindato Maso

I’m Maso, I’m an electrical engineer by profession but also a passionate volunteer and community person. I am the ED of Center for Bangsamoro Policy Studies and I am passionate about policy research. I also work as an R&D Consultant for the Ministry of Science and Technology in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao.

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I join GMAB to serve the GenDem network. It’s an honour to work with its members. Every member is a source of inspiration. As a GMAB member, I want to help strengthen the network’s external engagements. Help it grow both from within its ranks and through its partnerships.