Panamanian Universities Promote Youth Participation in the Electoral Process

• Through discussions, events and awareness campaigns, a massive reach and wide dissemination was achieved about the importance of voting and citizen participation. 
• Participation in the conversations reached 1,631 people, with a total digital reach that reached millions of people. 

Panama, April 26, 2024 – The “Your Vote, Your Choice” initiative, designed to empower Panamanian youth ahead of the May 5 elections, culminated successfully after a series of activities that had a significant impact at the national level, promoting awareness and participation in the electoral process. Through discussions, events and awareness campaigns, a massive reach and wide dissemination was achieved about the importance of voting and citizen participation, activities organized by the universities allied in this initiative: OTEIMA, UMECIT, U Del Istmo and ISAE Universidad . 

The closing of this initiative materialized with a mock voting carried out simultaneously in all participating universities, supported by the Electoral Tribunal. In this simulation, students, teachers and administrative staff received guidance on the use of the ballot, the voting process and other fundamental details to exercise their right to vote in the elections.  

Participation in the conversations impacted 1,631 people, with a total digital reach that reached millions of people. 9 conversations were held, with a total of 27 hours dedicated to political education. The topics addressed included participatory democracy, electoral justice and the role of young people in the political future of the country, among other relevant topics.  
 
During the closing ceremony, held in the ISAE University Auditorium, in the presence of rectors, academic authorities, teachers and students, guest speaker Javier Yap Endara emphasized the key role of youth in decision-making in the country and how Their participation at the polls makes the difference in the results. 

José Alberto Nieto Rojas, Rector of UMECIT, emphasized the importance of the initiative by mentioning: “Between the four universities we can be passing 40 thousand students and it is an impact of more than 40,000 families who have had the opportunity to learn about the different elected positions, to know the commitment that each official has to fulfill and to be able to obtain information to be able to "have that knowledge and vote with judgment and authority."  

The Rector of ISAE University, Dr. Gustavo Mizraim González, highlighted: «In relation to the Your Vote, Your Choice project, I wish to highlight the invaluable opportunity that this initiative represents. "This project exemplifies the importance of preparing an informed vote, based on critical thinking and civic awareness."  

Nixa Gnaegi de Rios, Rector of OTEIMA, expressed: “We believe in education; We are sure that we have contributed with the seed in our students so that they become citizens who act with responsibility, civility and democracy. The youth are the ones who will make the change in this country, and today I feel responsible; Our generation did not correctly choose those who represent us today. “I invite all of us to enlighten ourselves about the importance of local governments, so that together with citizens we can seek solutions to benefit the development of communities.”  

Juan Pablo Cardozo, Rector of the Universidad Del Istmo, added: «This initiative is crucial for strengthening our democracy. We need citizens who are committed and aware of their role in the development of the country. At Universidad Del Istmo, we are committed to training leaders who understand the importance of actively participating in the electoral process.  

In this context, all young Panamanians are invited to join and actively participate in the upcoming elections. Your voice and your vote are fundamental to building a more just and equitable political and social future in Panama. It is crucial that each of you exercise your democratic right with responsibility and civic awareness, thus contributing to the development and strengthening of our democracy. Together, we can make a difference and work for a country where the values of inclusion, transparency and progress prevail for all citizens.