The Democratic Youth Network is guided by a Steering Committee of volunteers dedicated to the growth and development of this website.  However, this community would not be possible without the assistance of our partners:

For the past 45 years, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has been the lead U.S. government agency for administering economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide. Established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy under the Foreign Assistance Act, USAID has delivered aid to more than 100 countries in an effort to provide a better future for all. Through its Bureau for Europe & Eurasia, USAID directs $700 million each year to support economic growth and fiscal reform, democracy-building and social transition projects in 23 European and Eurasian countries receiving U.S. foreign assistance.

The American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) is a bi-partisan, not-for-profit organization founded in 1966 to promote understanding and cultivate lasting political, economic and cultural relationships among young political leaders and policy makers worldwide through the regular exchange of delegations, educational forums, leadership training and ongoing dialogue. ACYPL has conducted programs and exchanges with more than 90 nations, producing a global network of several thousand alumni, a large number of whom have risen to positions of great influence in the United States and in nations around the globe.

In 1983, the U.S. Congress created the National Endowment for Democracy to support aspiring democrats worldwide. Four nonprofit, nonpartisan democracy institutes were formed to carry out this work; of these, two -- the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) -- have collaborated with USAID and ACYPL on the production of the Young Political Leaders Seminars which have, in turn, sparked the creation of this website.

In its infancy, IRI focused on planting the seeds of democracy in Latin America. Its mission is to advance freedom and democracy worldwide by developing political parties, civic institutions, open elections, good governance and the rule of law. IRI has conducted programs in more than 100 countries and is currently active in more than 70 countries.  

In its efforts to strengthen and expand democracy worldwide, NDI utilizes a global network of volunteer experts to provide practical assistance to civic and political leaders advancing democratic values, practices and institutions. NDI works with democrats in every region of the world to build political and civic organizations, safeguard elections, and to promote citizen participation, openness and accountability in government. NDI has managed democracy programs in more than 100 countries to date.