Mary Yvonne

Development Strategist | Peacebuilder | Founder | Author | Public Speaker | Business Strategist | Africa's Brightest Young Mind 2021| Social Impact Founder

[Mary Yvonne @mayvnne]

PUBLISHED MY FIRST BOOK!

📚 Exciting News! Thrilled to announce the publication of the Cross-Generational Dialogue and Mentorship book. 🌟 Hoping it sparks impactful conversations and bridges generations. Grateful for this milestone! 📖✨ #FirstBook #TransformativeDialogues

[Global Democracy Coalition @GloDemCoalition]

Building movements that last requires more than passion, it requires the structures, leadership, and shared ownership that allow people to step up and move a mission forward.

Our Coalition Partner Social Movement Lab is hosting two free masterclasses designed for leaders of movements and people-powered organizations who are ready to stop carrying everything alone and start building something sustainable. Taking place online on 23 June and 25 June, these sessions will focus on how to lead in a way that empowers others, strengthens team accountability, and enables movements to grow without depending on one individual at every step.

Many movement leaders will recognise the challenge: despite hard work and commitment, progress can stall when decision-making bottlenecks, delegation falls short, or difficult conversations are avoided. These masterclasses aim to address exactly that, offering practical insights on how to create the conditions for people to take responsibility, contribute meaningfully, and drive momentum forward.

Participants will explore what it takes to foster real ownership within a team, why people may not be stepping up as expected, and how leadership approaches can shift to unlock collective action. Ultimately, the sessions are designed to help leaders build movements that are resilient, effective, and capable of thriving beyond any one individual.

The masterclasses are free to attend, open to all, and we encourage you to share them across your networks. The registration link is available in the comments.
#Leadership #CollectiveAction #CivicEngagement #CapacityBuilding #MovementBuilding

[Eric Biegon @EricBiegon]

PS Ng’eno rallies support for Mau Forest restoration amidst climate crisis https://t.co/dAVYMnUMwK

[Eric Biegon @EricBiegon]

Rising stress and depression drive 1,200 daily calls to Kenya’s child helpline https://t.co/9eGwo2rWGD

[Katiba Institute @katibainstitute]

Court Update:

The High Court has granted conservatory orders restraining the Government from establishing, operationalising, facilitating, approving, or permitting any Ebola quarantine, isolation, exposure, or treatment facility in Kenya pursuant to the challenged arrangement with the United States or any other foreign government pending the hearing and determination of the petition.

The Court has further prohibited the admission into, transfer to, receipt within, or facilitation of entry into Kenya of persons exposed to or infected with Ebola under the challenged arrangement.

The Court has also compelled the Respondents to disclose all agreements, negotiations, approvals, risk assessments, and operational protocols relating to the proposed facility and arrangement within 7 days.

These orders maintain the current state of affairs, prevent irreversible actions from being taken before constitutional scrutiny, and ensure transparency and public accountability in a matter raising significant concerns about public health, sovereignty, and constitutional governance.

.@joshuamalidzo .@NoraMbagathi

[Eric Biegon @EricBiegon]

Ruto reaffirms commitment to equal development across all regions https://t.co/sSFR6MAQte

[Global Democracy Coalition @GloDemCoalition]

A month after convening in Asunción, the conversations from the 2026 #GDCAmericasForum continues to resonate across the region.

We’re pleased to see our Coalition partner @ddintorg reflecting on the Forum in two recent blog posts, capturing both the energy and the urgency that defined these two days of exchange under the theme “Inhabiting Democracy: From Crises to New Civic Energies in the Americas.”

Bringing together civil society organizations, community leaders, researchers, and policymakers from across Latin America, the United States, and Canada, the Forum created space not only to diagnose the challenges facing democracy, but to surface the innovations and civic energies already emerging in response. From regional dialogue and expert exchanges to hands‑on workshops on democratic renewal, the conversations highlighted both the depth of the crises and the creativity of the solutions taking shape across the Americas.

Democracia Digital’s reflections also spotlight the importance of initiatives discussed at the forum, where leaders and practitioners explored how digital tools, collaborative approaches, and locally rooted action are reshaping participation and rebuilding democratic legitimacy.

What stood out throughout the Forum, and is echoed in these blogs, is the recognition that this is a complex moment for democracy in the Americas. Polarization, misinformation, and shrinking civic space are real and pressing challenges. Yet at the same time, there is a powerful undercurrent of engagement, particularly among youth, women, and local communities, who are finding new ways to organize, connect, and drive change.

As we continue our regional journey toward the 2026 GDC Global Forum, these reflections remind us that democratic renewal is already underway across the region, shaped not only by institutions, but by the collective effort of those working to reimagine participation, rebuild trust, and strengthen democratic practice on the ground.

Read the full reflections in the links in the comments.
#GDCAmericasForum #AmericasRegionalMonth #GDCForum2026 #KeepDemocracyAlive

[Global Democracy Coalition @GloDemCoalition]

Starting with our last regional month in June, next week we’ll be convening a regionally diverse group of researchers, practitioners, and civil society leaders to reflect on one of the most pressing questions shaping democratic trajectories across Asia today: why do democratic openings so often fail to lead to lasting democratic governance?

On Thursday, June 4, we are hosting the Asia Pre‑Forum Webinar, ‘Democratic Openings Without Democratic Consolidation: Rethinking Democratic Renewal in Asia’, co‑hosted with @asiacentre_org. The conversation will bring together voices working across the region to unpack evolving patterns of democratic mobilisation, institutional fragility, and authoritarian resilience.

Joining us are Narayan Adhikari, South and East Asia Lead at @accountlabnp, Ananya Kundu, Founder and Executive Director of White Dot Solidarity Network (WDSN), Jeremiah Tomas, Former Youth Chair, @asian_liberals, and Ika Ningtyas, Fact‑Checking Coordinator and Journalist at Tempo Indonesia and Advisory Board Member of SAFEnet. Together, they bring perspectives spanning civic engagement, media integrity, regional advocacy, and accountability work. The discussion will be moderated by James Gomez, Regional Director of @asiacentre_org.

Their insights will help surface broader structural tensions shaping democratic transitions across Asia, from shifting forms of mobilisation to the evolving strategies of authoritarian actors. These reflections will feed directly into the 2026 GDC Asia Regional Forum in Seoul and the Asia Regional Report.

We look forward to welcoming Coalition Partners and others working on democratic governance in Asia to join us online on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 9:30 AM CEST / 2:30 PM ICT via Zoom, with a livestream on the GDC YouTube channel.

[Global Democracy Coalition @GloDemCoalition]

We are thrilled to announce the acceptance of 3 new partners into the Global Democracy Coalition! Each of these organizations brings invaluable expertise and commitment to strengthening democracy across the globe.​

Alumni for Freedom & Democracy: US based nonprofit committed to preserving the essential freedoms that sustain democracy, uniting alumni from any institution across the political spectrum to engage in civil dialogue and principled action in defense of an open society.

@AsuntosDelSur: Asuntos del Sur is a research and action center (think-do tank) that develops and implements improvements in the democratic fabric through research, analysis, and the production of content on public policy, social development, democracy, and human rights. Currently, the initiatives reach 28 countries in the Global South. They promote collaborative governance processes, working with communities, institutions, and governments to co-create more open, participatory, and effective public policies.

@extituto: Extituto de Política Abierta strengthens democracy by transforming how public decisions are made. We design participatory and deliberative processes that enable citizens to co-create solutions with governments, train emerging political leaders to govern openly, and develop tools for more inclusive and effective policymaking. Through local implementation and global collaborations, we expand meaningful participation, improve policy outcomes, and strengthen democratic institutions.

We look forward to collaborating with them on our shared goals and strengthening the collective impact of our efforts.

[Eric Biegon @EricBiegon]

Xi meets Trump, advocates for new chapter in China-U.S. relations https://t.co/NlUJwVqqTT

[FEMNET @FemnetProg]

How do we safeguard progress for women in a changing landscape? 🌍

Join us TODAY for a critical side event at the 87th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. We’re discussing good practices for standing up for women’s rights in trying times.

📍Banjul International Conference Center, Room 3 / Hybrid
🕚 11:00 – 12:30 GMT
🔗 Register here: https://t.co/lnuPWw9yp6

[Mary Yvonne @mayvnne]

@ClubdeMadrid @NuruTrustKenya

[Eric Biegon @EricBiegon]

Youth leadership, gender equality take centre stage at Nairobi dialogue https://t.co/Og58465E81

[Global Democracy Coalition @GloDemCoalition]

Two days from today, we’ll be bringing together a Europe‑wide group of researchers, practitioners, and civil society leaders to examine how cross‑border threats are reshaping democratic governance across the continent.

On Wednesday, May 13, we are hosting the second of our Europe Pre‑Forum Webinars, ‘Between Fragmentation and Coordination: Navigating Cross‑Border Democratic Challenges in Europe’. The conversation will be guided by a diverse panel of experts working at the intersection of democracy, accountability, and transnational risk.

Joining us are Dr Slagjana Taseva, former Dean and Executive Secretary of the @IACA_Academy and long served Member of the Academic Advisory Board of the IACA, Giovana Fleck, Media Innovation Manager at @RNW_Media, Ognjen Karadžić, Digital Democracy Research Coordinator at @DemocracyR, and Khushbu Agrawal, Adviser for the Money in Politics team at @Int_IDEA. Together, they bring perspectives spanning electoral integrity, anti‑corruption, civil society collaboration, and media ecosystems. The discussion will be moderated by Elisenda Balleste Buxo, Programme Manager of the Global Democracy Coalition.

Their insights will help surface the structural dilemmas Europe is facing as disinformation, interference, and digital manipulation operate across borders while responses remain fragmented and uneven. These reflections will feed directly into the 2026 GDC Europe Regional Forum in Prague and the Europe Regional Report. We look forward to welcoming Coalition Partners and others working on democratic resilience to join us online on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 3:00 PM CET, 9:00 AM ET, via Zoom, with a livestream on the GDC YouTube channel.

Registration details are available in the comments.

[Global Democracy Coalition @GloDemCoalition]

Five days to go: don’t miss this conversation!

On Wednesday, May 13, we’ll be convening a timely Europe Pre‑Forum Webinar to examine how cross‑border threats are challenging democratic governance across the continent, often faster than political and institutional frameworks can adapt.

‘Between Fragmentation and Coordination: Navigating Cross‑Border Democratic Challenges in Europe’ will explore how disinformation, interference, and digital manipulation operate across European contexts, and where nationally anchored responses are falling short. The discussion will look at the tension between interconnected risks and fragmented action, the barriers that limit coordination, and the questions Europe must confront to strengthen democratic resilience.

We’re bringing together an outstanding group of speakers, including Dr. Slagjana Taseva, former Dean and Executive Secretary of the @IACA_Academy and long served Member of the Academic Advisory Board of the IACA, Giovana Fleck, Media Innovation Manager at @RNW_Media, Ognjen Karadžić, Digital Democracy Research Coordinator at @DemocracyR, and Khushbu Agrawal, Adviser for the Money in Politics team at @Int_IDEA. The webinar will be moderated by Elisenda Balleste Buxo, Programme Manager, Global Democracy Coalition.

Insights from the webinar will feed directly into the 2026 GDC Europe Regional Forum in Prague and the Europe Regional Report. Join us online on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 3:00 PM CET, 9:00 AM ET, via Zoom, with a livestream on the GDC YouTube channel. Registration details are in the comments.

[Global Democracy Coalition @GloDemCoalition]

Two voices will open the conversation in Prague on 19 May.

Elisenda Ballesté Buxó brings the global coalition perspective, coordinating 180+ democracy organizations across 59 countries at the Global Democracy Coalition, which is hosted by @Int_IDEA.

��ubica Kováčová brings the ground truth, leading @WeAreEDYN's network of young pro-democracy activists across Central and Eastern Europe, the Western Balkans, and the South Caucasus.

Together, they open the GDC Europe Forum 2026 bringing together policymakers, civil society leaders, technology experts, and youth practitioners to defend electoral integrity in the age of AI.

The GDC Regional Forums 2026 are sponsored by the @KetteringFdn.
#GDCForum2026 #ElectoralIntegrity #AIandDemocracy #DefendingDemocracy #KeepDemocracyAlive

[Global Democracy Coalition @GloDemCoalition]

Next week, on Wednesday May 13, we are continuing our Europe Regional Month with a conversation that speaks directly to one of the most pressing democratic dilemmas in the region today. Across Europe, the threats facing democracy move seamlessly across borders, yet the responses remain largely rooted in national systems that struggle to keep pace with this interconnected reality.

We are hosting the second of our Europe Pre‑Forum Webinars, ‘Between Fragmentation and Coordination: Navigating Cross‑Border Democratic Challenges in Europe’. Rather than searching for a single model of cooperation, this discussion creates space to examine the unresolved tensions between transnational threats and nationally anchored responses. From disinformation and electoral interference to digital manipulation and uneven regulatory capacity, the webinar will explore where coordination is working, where it is not, and what structural barriers continue to limit more coherent collective action.

The conversation brings together perspectives from civil society, regional institutions, and the democracy support community. Insights from the discussion will feed directly into the 2026 GDC Europe Regional Forum in Prague on May 19 and the Europe Regional Report.

We look forward to welcoming our Coalition Partners, as well as new participants committed to strengthening democratic resilience across borders. The webinar will take place online on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 3:00 PM CET, 9:00 AM ET, via Zoom, with a livestream on the GDC YouTube channel.

More information and registration details in the comments.
@WeAreEDYN #GDCForum2026 #GDCEuropeForum #KeepDemocracyAlive

[Mary Yvonne @mayvnne]

@GloDemCoalition @WeAreEDYN 🎉🎉����

[Eric Biegon @EricBiegon]

Uhuru rejects calls to exit politics, vows to remain vocal on national issues https://t.co/LwgEuyacIE

[Global Democracy Coalition @GloDemCoalition]

Democratic renewal isn’t only about defending what exists, it’s about rebuilding what people can believe in.

In Episode 3 of Season 4 of the Thank You Democracy podcast, @KyraBuchko of PartnersGlobal offers one of the clearest reflections of this moment in the Americas: people haven’t turned away from the idea of democracy, they’re responding to systems that no longer feel responsive, fair, or connected to their lived realities. Her perspective, shaped by decades of work with mediators, civil society leaders, and democratic actors across multiple regions, brings rare clarity to why trust is fraying and where renewal is actually taking root.

Kyra speaks candidly about the pressures reshaping democratic life today, from the erosion of shared reality to the transnational spread of polarization and disinformation. Yet she also points to the forces that are quietly rebuilding democratic legitimacy, youth leadership, local innovation, and coalitions that center dignity, dialogue, and accountability.

This conversation grounds democracy not in abstract principles, but in the everyday practices that make it meaningful, self‑determination, participation, and the belief that institutions can serve people with honesty and intention. It’s a reminder that renewal begins from the ground up, through leadership that listens, adapts, and earns trust rather than assuming it.

If you haven’t listened yet, this episode offers a powerful lens on what democratic resilience looks like across the Americas today. Link in comments.
#ThankYouDemocracy #AmericasRegionalMonth #KeepDemocracyAlive

[Eric Biegon @EricBiegon]

2.6 million Kenyans added to voters’ register, IEBC Confirms https://t.co/FzFCYST5hF

[Global Democracy Coalition @GloDemCoalition]

Faith and family are at the heart of many of our communities. They are sources of strength, identity, and connection.

At the same time, in a democracy, no leader should be above accountability. Belief should never be used to justify a lack of transparency or to limit people’s freedoms and rights.

Across the Americas, democracy helps ensure that power is exercised with responsibility, while protecting both freedom of belief and individual liberties.

As part of the #GDCAmericasRegionalMonth, we’re reclaiming a vision of democracy where pluralism is respected, institutions are accountable, and communities are brought together rather than divided.

Do you know of initiatives where faith is helping build bridges, foster well-being, and strengthen social cohesion? Tell us more.

@metgroup @AlmaCivica
#GDCAmericasRegionalMonth #KeepDemocracyAlive #FreedomOfBelief #CivicValues