From April 7 to 12, 2025, the Centre for Young Leaders in Africa (CYLA), in partnership with Green Forum, held party-specific Intergenerational Dialogues (IGDs) in Lilongwe and Blantyre, Malawi, with participation from six political parties represented in Parliament: the UTM, DPP, AFORD, PP, MCP, and UDF, at their respective party secretariats.

The IGDs were organized to support parties in strengthening youth inclusion within their political structures and to promote young people’s engagement in the electoral process ahead of the 2025 general elections. Following meaningful contributions, the meetings became a valuable platform for young leaders and senior party officials to explore the current barriers to youth political participation, opening intergenerational conversations around each party’s needs and opportunities for more equal and inclusive representation of youth and women leaders.

A key outcome of the IGDs was the signing of a “Social Contract” by all six parties, an accountability mechanism designed to guide follow-up and technical support. In addition, party-specific action plans were jointly created by youth and senior party representatives to provide a systematic approach for implementing the youth inclusion activities identified during the IGDs, and to help ensure that intergenerational dialogues may continue within the parties.

These commitments provide hope for an inclusive general election on 16 September and for increased youth participation, representation, and influence within the parties in the coming years. 

CYLA and Green Forum will continue to follow developments and support youth inclusion where possible.