Youth for Democracy: Learning from Nonviolent Struggle Across the World

Srdja Popovic is a co-founder of Otpor, the student-led resistance to Slobodan Milosevic. Popovic and other distinguished speakers and activists will participate in "Youth for Democracy."

In 2011, the world witnessed amazing events unfold across the globe, especially in the Middle East and North African region. These events have had youth at the forefront — fighting for their rights, freedom and democracy.

HIA Denmark is organizing "Youth for Democracy," a conference in Copenhagen for more than 200 participants from all across the world. The main goal of this conference is to bring together experts and activists and to learn from young people who are struggling for democracy.

The conference will feature leaders of the uprisings in Egypt and Serbia, together with youth representatives from countries that are not yet democratic: Belarus, Burma, Syria, Zimbabwe and North and South Sudan. In the struggle to form new democracies,youth representatives are currently using nonviolent methods to foster change in these countries.

"Youth for Democracy" will be a unique opportunity for youth across the world to meet and share ideas, experiences and knowledge. Participants will develop bonds and friendships with others who are active in the global fight for better lives and human rights. The conference will be open to specialists from all over the world, as well as the general public.

The conference is sponsored by the Danish Foreign Ministry, the Dutch Minstry of Health, Welfare and Sports (VWS) and the American Embassy in Copenhagen. Humanity in Action has worked in partnership with British Council and Politiken on developing a number of thematic workshops and events throughout the project.