As Mali transitions to peace and development, the country is empowering its youth more than ever to become change agents. With 60 per cent of the Malian population under the age of 25, youth are vital players in the country’s democratic sustainability. Through its PARC Jeunesse Mali project, the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme has found a unique way to develop youth leaders within the country.
In Mali, the road to peace and reconciliation has been wrought by a 2012 military coup and insecure borders, combined with a proliferation of small arms illegally imported or stolen from unsecured stockpiles. This, however, has not stopped the Malian people from championing democracy—the country is in a period of transition geared towards the re-establishment of constitutional order and democratic governance. In 2013, Presidential and Parliamentary elections were held in the country, representing a milestone on the path to peace.