On June 25th 2018, an agreement was signed between the Rosa Luxembourg Stiftung and the Timbuktu Institute- African Center for Peace Studies focused in youth and religious problematics based in Dakar.

The Rosa Luxembourd Stiftung, represented by Mrs Maimouna Ndao, on behalf of Dr ; Armin Osmanovic and the African center for peace studies- Timbuktu Institute, directed by Dr. Bakary Sambe agreed on the project entitled « Youth, Political Parties and Political participation. »

Indeed, firstly presented by the Timbuktu Institute, this project is based on research work mainly focused on the role of youth and its involvment in politics.

The project has 2 (two) specific objectives :

• to provide scientific-based answers to better understand and document disaffection of young people (between 15 and 35) towards political parties in a constructive way ;
• to mobilize young people regarding both political and electoral participation aspects for them to better express their concerns in a peaceful and constructive way. In other words, the goal is also to develop young people’s critical mind.

The agreement between the two institutions relies on a roadmap to include programs and activities which will be conducted within the Timbuktu Institute. It should be implemented from June 1^st and will be conducted with different sensitizing activities until next December 31^th.

With the coming elections to be held in Senegal in February 2019, this partnership is also a way to shed a  light on the political aspirations of the youth and their expectations from the political leaders and parties in the next ten years. A promising experience !

By Thaïs Matton, Trainee, (Summer 2018)