YALIVotes: Elections and Civic Participation

YALIVotes

Educate. Motivate. Participate.

YALIVotes

Africa is rising and Africa is voting. As young leaders, you can show the importance of participating in elections and staying actively engaged in civic life after the polls close, to make your voice heard. Elections are important not just for you and your country, but can have a widespread impact on the political behavior across the the entire continent of Africa.

YALIVotes encourages civic participation through elections and social responsibility. Elections are the fundamental means by which citizens connect to their government and the world. Make your voice heard by voting and staying civically engaged in your community.

Take the Course

Complete the YALI Network Online Courses below to learn about the importance of election and civic engagement.

Man checking postings

Understanding Elections and Civic Responsibility

Get informed on the role of citizens in the electoral process from the voting process to grassroots organizing to capacity building and citizen advocacy.

Take the Course

Responsible Leadership on Transparency and Good Governance

This three-part course examines the concepts of transparency and good governance and how their lack in both the public and private sectors can lead to devastating consequences for people and institutions.

Take the Course

What's the Harm?

A cinematic look inside captivating moments at ethical crossroads. These scenarios find characters in moral dilemmas, behaving in ways that may not seem wrong, but that can have long term unintended consequences for individuals and communities. You can also view the vignettes en Français or em Português.

What’s the Harm in Violating Community Trust? What’s the Harm with Public Officials Amending Laws? What’s the Harm in Granting Unfair Access? What’s the Harm with Security Officials Taking a Bribe? What’s the Harm in Selling your Vote? What’s the Harm in Censorship?

What’s the Harm in Violating Community Trust?

The police officer in the video thinks accepting a “tip” from a woman running late is merely a mutually beneficial arrangement. Ask yourself: Can a police officer who accepts bribes really help the community or fellow officers?

What’s the Harm with Public Officials Amending Laws?

A government official complains about a high level of public transparency as she looks to cover up illegitimate spending and conflicts of interest. Ask yourself: what is your government’s policy on accepting gifts?

What’s the Harm in Granting Unfair Access?

A corporate executive plans to bribe a government official to create a monopoly for his products by finding an excuse for banning his competitors. Ask yourself: Can a whole community benefit when access is granted to only a few?

What’s the Harm with Security Officials Taking a Bribe?

An airport security employee plans to accept money to allow his cousin’s friend, “Paul,” to smuggle materials in a suitcase. Ask yourself: Are security officials accepting bribes and smuggling goods threatening your safety?

What’s the Harm in Selling your Vote?

A candidate is offering to pay a mayor for support in a local election and promises that once he’s in office he will “do everything by the book.” Ask yourself: Do you know any potentially great public officials who won’t seek office because the cost is too high?

What’s the Harm in Censorship?

“Eric” is being pressured by his editor to drop his story. Ask yourself: Is your publication trying to find the truth and earn trust — or just earn money?

You can also view the vignettes en Français or em Português.

Educate Your Community

Smart citizens understand that democracies need active, informed, responsible citizens to be healthy. These citizens promote peace and urge their communities to refrain from violence during and after elections. They also encourage their elected leaders and public officials to remain transparent and accountable while in office.

Once you’ve completed the courses and watched the videos above, help ensure your community is made up of ‘Smart Citizens.’ You can share your knowledge and empower others by using the resources below to organize a YALILearns session and educate others in your community.

What’s the Harm?

You can lead a YALILearns session using the “What’s the Harm?” Video Vignette Series and the Facilitation Guide below.

Download the Facilitation Guide (PDF 259 KB)
Téléchargez le guide d’animation (PDF 72 KB) (les vidéos)
Faça o download do guia de facilitação (PDF 73 KB) (os videos)

Responsible Leadership on Transparency and Good Governance

With the YALI Network Online Course, “Responsible Leadership on Transparency and Good Governance” and the Facilitation Guide, you can teach others about the concepts of transparency and its importance in good governance.

Download the Facilitation Guide (PDF 244 KB)
Téléchargez le guide d’animation (PDF 247 KB) (le Cours)
Faça o download do guia de facilitação (PDF 190 KB) (o Curso)

Understanding Elections and Civic Responsibility

Citizens have an important role in the electoral process. You can use the YALI Network Online Course, “Understanding Elections and Civic Responsibility” and the Facilitation Guide below to lead a YALILearns session.