Building Bridges: Why Solidarity Between Young Leaders Matters More Than Ever
Dan Lawes (right) and Giga Phartenadze (left)
By Dan Lawes, Co-CEO of My Life My Say
In my field of work, two values act as a guiding star: championing democracy and empowering young people.
My everyday life is built on the belief that democracy is precious – fragile even – and that there are forces actively seeking to tear down the progress made by generations before us. I’ve always believed that democracy isn’t just worth safeguarding, but constantly updating, refreshing and celebrating.
At My Life My Say, we’ve built a platform dedicated to bringing this to life. Whether it’s leading national youth-led voter registration campaigns, transforming cafés into hubs of civic conversation, or even embarrassing myself on next-generation podcasts – everything we do is driven by the same mission: to remind young people that democracy isn’t a spectator sport. It belongs to them.
When given the right support, young people have the power to change the world. And frankly, I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life. Every single day, I witness young leaders stepping up in their communities, online, and on the national stage – advocating for climate justice, equality, mental health services, safer communities, and fairer economies. Their energy and ideas are what will define the future of our societies.
A Journey to Georgia
That’s why, when the John Smith Trust invited me to spend a week in Georgia, I jumped at the opportunity. It wasn’t just a chance to speak at a conference, but to meet and build bridges with fellow young leaders from across the South Caucasus, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia - people fighting for the same values in often very different circumstances.
The conference, organised by NGO Youth Supreme Council and co-hosted by Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University and the Ministry of Education, brought together NGO leaders, policymakers, and young activists to explore how civil society can engage the next generation in politics and public life. I had the honour of delivering a keynote on the work of My Life My Say in the UK – from our Democracy Cafés to the recent Give An X campaign that supported nearly half a million young people in registering to vote.
In one of the conference’s most meaningful moments, all delegates came together to sign a Memorandum of Understanding. It pledged to continue working collaboratively across borders, support one another’s youth-led initiatives, and stay connected as a growing regional network of young leaders. It was a simple, symbolic act – but one that carried real significance, and a reminder that solidarity is a choice we can actively make.
But as is often the case at these events, the formal speeches were only half the story.
Friendships That Matter
One of the best parts of the trip was reconnecting with Giga Phartenadze, a remarkable young leader I first met in London through the John Smith Trust fellowship. It was Giga who decided to organise the event following his visit to the UK under the JST programme, and who proudly showed me around his hometown of Batumi – its beaches, bustling markets, and brilliant nightlife (which, as a Mancunian, I’m always keen to assess). Conversations ranged from football to political theory to the challenges of activism in different environments.
These moments matter. They remind you that, despite borders and vastly different political systems, the desire for dignity, justice, and voice is universal. It was inspiring to meet so many brilliant young leaders from across the region, each working in their own way to build fairer, more open societies. I left Batumi with friendships I know will last long after the conference hashtags stop trending.
The Importance of Building Bridges
After Batumi, I travelled to Tbilisi for a series of meetings with local civic leaders and youth organisations. We discussed opportunities for international exchange between UK and Georgian youth movements, sharing experiences of youth advocacy and creative civic campaigns. These conversations left me hopeful about the potential for deeper collaboration between our two countries’ youth sectors in the years ahead.
And that’s really what this trip was about: building bridges. It reaffirmed something I’ve long believed – that the most powerful force in civil society isn’t money or media attention; it’s relationships. It’s people who believe in the same things coming together across cultures, borders, and languages to share, support, and learn from each other.
In a world that often feels increasingly divided, those relationships are vital. Because none of us can tackle the challenges we face alone. Whether it’s protecting civic space, rebuilding trust in politics, or ensuring young people feel their voices matter – we need each other.
Moving Forward Together
I returned home energised, grateful, and more committed than ever to making sure young people aren’t just passengers in the political process, but drivers of change. And I’m excited to build on the connections made in Georgia to help strengthen the international youth leadership community.
I’m hugely thankful to the John Smith Trust for making this trip possible, and for the community of brilliant changemakers they’ve built over the years. I’m reminded of John Smith’s words back in 1993, which feel as relevant today as ever.
“It falls to our generation to provide new leadership and to strive for a new vision of peace, democracy, and economic justice.”
— John Smith, 1993
That work continues – and it’s a privilege to be part of it.
Dan Lawes is the Co-CEO of My Life My Say, an award-winning charity dedicated to empowering young people through democratic engagement. He coordinated the Give An X Campaign, the largest youth voter registration in the country, which generated 488,846 click-throughs to the gov.register website and reached over 4 million young voters. He was one of 20 young leaders from across the world to receive the Princess Diana Legacy Award and currently sits on the boards of The Diana Award and Young Manchester.
Support our fellowship programme
Dan is one of the John Smith Trust partners, who provide invaluable support to our fellowship programmes by meeting with Fellows working in the same field and providing input to their action plans, sharing ideas and expertise. These connections may involve a one-off meeting or a longer-term collaboration. If you work in the UK and would be interested in supporting our work, we are looking for professionals from the following sectors:
- Governance and justice
- Climate and sustainability
- Equality, diversity and inclusion
Contact erika.paine@johnsmithtrust.org for more information.